Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHARLIE

When Pierce walked into the shop alone, I arched a brow. “Where's the rest of your posse this morning?” I teased.

“Knowing Rhys and Riley, still sleeping,” he replied. “Linc is at his shop. I'm here to let you know we've decided to keep things low-key. I'll be cooking dinner, so I need to know if you have any allergies.”

“Peanuts. I'm deathly allergic to them,” I told him.

“Peanuts. Got it. I'll toss out the peanut butter as soon as I get home,” he said. “You don't have to bring anything with you, and dress comfortably. No need to stress out over things.”

“Okay. See you later then. Wait, who's picking me up? Or should I drive?”

“Nah, Linc is swinging by to get you. We drew straws and he won,” Pierce grumbled, which made me laugh.

“Okay then. See you this evening.”

I watched him go before I got back to work.

At 4:30, I hopped in the shower to clean up. Since Pierce said to dress comfortably, I opted for leggings and an oversized T-shirt with a pair of sandals. I left my hair down and peeked in on Uncle Henry. Amanda had agreed to stay late so I could go on this date.

“Thanks again for doing this,” I told Amanda.

“Don't mention it. Have fun,” she replied.

At a few minutes to 5, the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, I found Linc standing there with a smile on his face.

“Evening, Peaches,” he said and leaned forward to kiss my cheek. “Ready to go?”

“Yep,” I replied before I stepped out and pulled the door closed behind me.

The drive to Pierce's house was quick, and then Linc was escorting me inside. I was met at the door by Rhys, Pierce, and Riley, who each took turns kissing my cheek.

“I hope you like lasagna and garlic bread,” Pierce told me.

“Love it,” I admitted.

We made our way to the table and Rhys helped me with my seat. There was a bit of jostling over the two chairs beside me before everyone was seated. I had Riley on one side and Linc on the other.

Wine was poured, food was dished up, and we all dug in.

“There's something we'd like to talk to you about,” Rhys said after several minutes.

“Oh?” I wondered where this was going.

“We've all come to the same realization. You're our mate. All of ours. So this—” and he motioned to all of us—“isn't going to be a one-time thing. We'll take things at whatever pace you're comfortable with, but we're not letting go.”

I looked at each of them in turn. “I know,” I said quietly. “I felt it when you came into the coffee shop. But none of you acted like you felt it, so I thought maybe I was wrong.” I could hear the hurt in my own voice.

“Oh, no, Peaches, you weren't wrong,” Rhys said, coming to where I sat. He pulled me out of my chair and into his arms.

Soon all four of them were holding me, and, for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was home.

The End… For Now

Need more? Check out Caitronia’s short story, Caged in Forever , which is also in this anthology. Don’t worry, this was just the beginning for Charlie and Caitronia. MA Destiny and I will be continuing these two stories in Valentine’s Fate , coming in 2025!