18. Holden

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HOLDEN

As we walked into Everwild Outfitters, I felt a surge of pride in my chest. This store was more than just a business to my family—it was part of our legacy. The rustic yet modern space, filled with the scent of fresh wood and the vibrant colors of outdoor gear, embodied everything we stood for: adventure and a deep connection to nature. The store reflected us perfectly.

I led him through the aisles, pointing out different sections and sharing the story behind each product line. I wanted him to know everything. He deserved to know it all.

"This is the flagship line," I said, gesturing to a row of insulated jackets. "It's designed for versatility. Keeps you warm on the trails and still looks good enough for a night out."

Mylo ran his fingers along the fabric, his eyes widening. "It's so light. You wouldn't even know it was insulated."

"Exactly. It's all about the materials. Everything we use is sustainable—recycled polyester, organic cotton, responsibly sourced wool." I watched his expression as I spoke, noting the curiosity and surprise. It made me smile.

"You really put a lot into this, huh?" he asked, looking up at me.

I nodded, my chest swelling with pride. Sharing this with my mate felt incredible. This was his too—he just didn't know it yet, but one day, our kids would be the ones in charge. "My family's been doing this for a long time. It's part of who we are. And now, you're part of that too."

He flushed, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I don't know if I'll ever really fit in, Holden. You're all… so established. You have this huge family, this legacy. I don't even know where I came from."

I reached out, cupping his cheek, making sure he couldn't look away. "None of that matters to me. You're perfect just the way you are, Mylo. You don't need a history for that. You've got us now, you've got me. And I wouldn't change a thing."

His eyes softened, and he leaned into my touch for a moment before straightening, that small smile back on his lips. "You're pretty convincing, you know that?"

"It's one of my better qualities." I winked, leading him further into the store. We moved past the section of hiking boots and trail runners, and I found myself telling him about the time my brother Knox and I had tested the waterproof features by wading into a mountain stream. "He's got this way of turning any practical product test into an adventure," I said, laughing. "We ended up soaking wet—not because the boots failed but because Knox dared me to try catching trout with my bare hands."

His laugh echoed through the store, and it was like the whole space lit up just a bit more because of it. I couldn't get enough of that sound—this must be what it felt like when something that had been missing for a long time was finally falling into place.

We rounded a corner, and I paused, noticing someone familiar at the front desk. Chuck. Of all people, here he was, organizing something behind the counter. Mylo must've seen the look on my face because he followed my gaze, his posture stiffening as recognition set in.

Chuck glanced up, and his eyes widened when he spotted us—mostly when he spotted me. He opened his mouth, then seemed to think better of it, swallowing whatever greeting he'd first considered.

"How may we serve you today?" he finally managed, his tone cautious, and I could see the gears turning in his head as he tried to piece things together.

I approached the counter, Mylo by my side. "Chuck," I said evenly, offering him a small nod. "How's everything going this week? You're new, right? Settling in okay?"

He blinked, confusion furrowing his brow. "Wait… you're…?"

"Your boss? Yeah." I smiled, watching the realization wash over him, his cheeks paling slightly. "My family owns Everwild Outfitters. I'm sure they mentioned that during the interview process."

Chuck's eyes darted to Mylo, then back to me. He cleared his throat, nodding. "Right. I… uh, didn't realize."

I could practically feel Mylo's discomfort beside me—the way he shifted his weight, his gaze bouncing between Chuck and me. So I decided to put this little awkward reunion to good use.

"You know, Chuck," I said, my voice light but firm, "I should thank you. Really. For bringing Mylo to town. And for fucking up." I smiled wider. "Because now he's with me."

Mylo's eyes went wide, his head snapping to look at me, but I kept my focus on Chuck. The guy opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again, like he didn't quite know how to respond. Honestly, there wasn't much he could say to that.

"Right," Chuck finally muttered, looking thoroughly defeated.

I turned to Mylo, leaning down to press a soft kiss to his temple, ignoring Chuck's stare. "Come on," I said. "Let's keep going. There's still a lot I want to show you."

Mylo blinked up at me, his cheeks flushed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. He nodded, letting me lead him away from the counter, away from Chuck. His hand slipped into mine, and I gave it a gentle squeeze.

"You didn't have to do that," he said quietly as we moved deeper into the store, his gaze fixed ahead of us.

"Do what?" I asked, feigning innocence, even though I knew exactly what he meant.

"Tell him I'm yours. Rub it in his face like that."

I stopped, turning to face him, my expression softening. "But you are mine, Mylo. And I want the whole world to know it. Especially guys like Chuck, who didn't appreciate what they had when they had it."

He looked up at me, his eyes searching mine for a moment before his lips curved into a small smile. "You're ridiculous," he murmured, but there was no heat behind it. Only affection.

"Maybe," I said, shrugging. "But I'm your ridiculous."

He shook his head, letting out a breath that was almost a laugh, and then he leaned up, pressing his lips to mine—a quick, soft kiss that left my heart pounding in my chest.

"Come on," I said, my voice a little hoarse as I pulled away, trying to ignore the way my pulse raced from a simple kiss... but it was the first one he'd initiated. "I want to show you the camping gear. I think you'll like it."

We moved through the store together, hand in hand, and I couldn't help but feel like this was how it was meant to be. Mylo by my side, his laughter filling the space around us, his curiosity lighting up every corner of my life. He was home... my home.

When we reached the camping section, I picked up a lightweight tent, showing him how easy it was to set up. "This one's perfect for backpacking. It's light, but it'll hold up in pretty much any weather."

Mylo nodded, his eyes wide as he listened, his fingers brushing over the fabric. "You really know your stuff," he said, glancing up at me.

"I've been doing this for a long time," I said, smiling. "My dad used to bring me here when I was a kid. He'd let me test out all the new gear. It's kind of in my blood."

"Maybe you could take me camping one day," he said. "I've never been."

"Best offer I've ever gotten," I replied simply.