“I’ll eat it soon,” Sam said, following their stares. “It’s just... once I cut it open, I’d have to start eating all of it. And it’ll have to go into the freezer—I can’t look at it then. It’s so perfect.”
“We could use it for Wyatt’s reception, too,” Valen said. “Shaved Parm on cake? Parm wedges paired with truffles? Parm and crackers?”
“Maybe.” Sam licked his lips, looking thoughtfully at the cheese wheel. He smoothed his hand over his belly, then glanced back at his phone. “Oh, the rings.”
“Seems like gold rings work better for ceremonies,” Valen said, sliding his arms around Sam. He stroked the curve of Sam’s belly, smiling when Sam shivered against him. “I mean, silicone rings make sense for work. But gold feels more like a promise.”
“Get both,” Harris said. He finished the rosettes on his cake, spun it on the cake wheel to inspect it. “I’ll pay for them.”
Valen winced. “You can’t keep paying for everything, Big H. We probably should save some money.”
“There’s enough,” Harris said, meeting his eyes. Didn’t seem like he understood what Valen was nervous about. Then again, Valen had never asked to look in Harris’ bank account. All he knew was that Harris had a mansion, and a nice sports car.
Valen wasn’t in this for the money. But with a baby coming, he needed some kind of idea what sort of safety net they had. And asking to look at bank balances reminded him too much of his dad and the inheritance.
Didn’t want anything to do with money, but he couldn’t live without it, either.
Damn it, if he wasn’t turning into his dad.
Suddenly wary of himself, Valen pushed those thoughts away. “We’ll get the two sets,” he said, looking at Sam.
Sam squirmed. “It is a lot of money. And I’m still not sure about a wedding.”
There was that, too. Made Valen’s head spin, trying to coordinate this all.
“We’ll go to the jeweler’s after this,” Harris said, his voice firm. “Consider it a gift.”
When he said it like that, well. Valen wasn’t arguing. Wasn’t in any mood to get all cocky with his supervisor.
“Fine,” he said. He was just going learn to cook, and nail the pork dumplings Sam was entrusting him with. Wasn’t going to think about money right now.
Someone had to have a perfect wedding.
Two nights later, while Sam was at work, Valen asked, “Are you sure you want to help with the wedding? As Wyatt’s sister’s best-alpha?”
Harris relaxed into the bed, tucking his arms behind his head. “Yeah. I’d rather you be seen with Sam. You’re also taking him to the department party, remember?”
“Ugh, the party.”
It wasn’t for a few months, yet. Dad had been talking about it like it was some big event, when there were only twenty-five personnel at the station, and they all knew each other, anyway. Maybe Dad was so fixated on it because he was still ashamed of his divorce with Mom.
“The rings will be ready in two weeks,” Harris said. “You gonna start wearing yours?”
“When you aren’t? Nah. I don’t see the point.”
Harris elbowed Valen. “I’m getting them made for you and Sam, V.”
Valen rolled his eyes. “There’s three of us, Big H. It’s not just me and Sam in this relationship.”
“I don’t need your dad asking why I’m wearing the same ring you are.”
There was that, too. Valen growled. He wanted Harris to feel like he was part of the relationship, but not at the risk of his job. That wouldn’t be fair to Harris.
He still hadn’t bitten Harris. Did Harris really want Valen’s mark? Harris hadn’t asked for it. Maybe I’m still not good enough for him.
Valen tucked the thought away, turning to his alpha.
The bedroom was dim, lit by the brightness of the TV. Sam’s dahlia scent lingered around the bed. Valen breathed in their mingled scents, leaning into Harris. It was thrilling to have Sam around, but he also liked the quiet moments with Harris, when he got Harris all to himself.
Valen kissed up the side of Harris’ chest, then pressed his nose into Harris’ armpit. Smelled the traces of musky sweat. Licked it.
Harris snorted, his eyes on the TV. Valen’s phone buzzed.
He grabbed it off the bed, expecting a text from Sam.
1 message received from: Mom
Valen stared at the screen. Contemplated deleting the message, then realized he couldn’t. What if she needed help? So he opened the message.
Hi Valen. I’m dropping by Meadowfall for a few days in May. Do you have a spare room? Hotels are filthy these days.
He stared at the message long enough that Harris looked over. Harris grimaced. “That’s your mom? She sounds like a piece of work.”
Valen covered his face, groaning. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure how his parents had gotten together. His mom was abrasive, his dad, violent. Made sense that they’d divorced.
But sometimes he wondered if he was going to turn out like his mom, or his dad, and end up ripping Sam to shreds. It had been safer with only Harris, because Harris could punch him just as easily. When Valen got violent, Harris stopped him.
“It’s not like the mansion is a hundred percent clean,” Valen said. “There’s only the three of us here, and Sam’s been cleaning—I already told him not to.”
Harris chuckled. “He’s nesting. He’ll nest more later in the pregnancy.”
Valen looked back at his phone. There was no way he was letting his mom anywhere near Sam. “I’m gonna tell her no,” he said.
Harris gave a lopsided smile. “Even though you live in a mansion?”
“She doesn’t have to know.”
“Your dad doesn’t know, either.”
“I’m good with that.”
Harris leaned in, pressing his nose to Valen’s hair. “Your choice, V. If your mom needs a place to stay, I’ll be fine with her here. She’s your family.”
“Yeah, but I don’t need her judging Sam,” Valen said. His parents had met
