He blew out a sigh.
“Too soon?”
“Not soon enough,” he growled.
Tessa bit down on her lower lip. She didn’t want to wait that long, either. “What if we just get married at City Hall? My parents will be upset, but I’m sure they’ll understand, since that’s what they did.”
His arms tightened around her. “Tomorrow?” he asked.
“That’s a little too soon,” she said, giggling softly. “How about Friday? That’ll give me a couple of days to find a dress and give us the weekend for a honeymoon.”
“Friday,” he agreed.
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he claimed her lips with his in a kiss that inflamed her senses and seared her very soul. And made her wonder if she really wanted to wait until Friday.
* * *
Jilly was all agog the next day when Tessa told her the news. “Friday!” she exclaimed. “As in day after tomorrow? Isn’t that kind of sudden? And what about your mom and dad . . . ?”
“I’m tired of waiting. As for my parents, they’ll understand.”
“Maybe. But, don’t you want a church wedding with all the trimmings?”
“I used to, but it just seems too complicated, you know what I mean? And I can’t help thinking what would happen if some fledgling vampire crashed the ceremony. Or if Katerina showed up and slaughtered everyone.”
“That seems pretty far-fetched,” Jilly said. “I mean, no one’s seen her recently. Maybe she went back to whatever hole she crawled out of.”
“Maybe, but it could happen, and that scares me. Better if it’s just the five of us. Well, six, I guess, if Tristan comes with Bailey.”
“We’re invited then?”
“Of course.”
“All right!” Jilly glanced at her watch, then jumped to her feet. “I’ve gotta get back to work. I’m late! Just let us know the time,” she called over her shoulder, “and we’ll be there.”
* * *
Tessa was surprised to find Bailey waiting for her when she got home that night. She glanced around, expecting to see Tristan, since the two of them were practically inseparable these days.
Bailey smiled tentatively. “Hi.”
“Hi. How are you? I haven’t seen much of you lately.”
“I know. I’ve been with Tristan. I have so much to learn about pack rules and etiquette. Sometimes I don’t think I’ll ever remember it all.”
Tessa sat on the sofa and kicked off her heels, then stretched her legs out in front of her.
After a moment, Bailey dropped down beside her. “Where’s Andrei?”
Tessa smiled. “He’ll be here later. We’re getting married on Friday.” She had already arranged to take the day off and the following week as well. She had taken a lot of time off lately and although Mr. Ambrose hadn’t said it in so many words, she had the distinct feeling that the next time she asked for time off, she’d be getting it. Permanently.
“Really? That’s great. Funny, all of us getting married so close together,” she said. “First Jilly and Luke and now you.” She stared down at her hands, a smile playing over her lips.
“Something you want to tell me?” Tessa asked.
“Remember I told you that me and Tristan were going to be life-mated?”
“Yes, although I’m really not sure what that means.”
“It’s sort of like an engagement since I’m underage. We’ll get married when I’m eighteen.”
Tessa had a sudden image of the two of them in panther form, howling and mating under a full moon. She quickly shook the image away. “Are you sure that’s what you want? I mean, aren’t you awfully young to make a decision like this?”
Bailey shrugged. “According to Tristan, we were meant to be together. It’s a were-thing—they just know when they’ve met the right person.”
“Do you feel that it’s right? In here?” Tessa asked, pressing her hand over Bailey’s heart.
Bailey nodded. “When we’re together . . . I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like it’s meant to be. You’ll come, won’t you? Andrei, too? Tristan’s parents said it would be all right.”
“Of course. And we’d love to have you there with us on Friday. Where will the two of you live?”
“With Tristan’s parents, at least until we’re married.”
“I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too. You’ve been so good to me.”
Tessa put her arm around Bailey’s shoulders. “You’ll always be welcome in my home, whether it’s here or somewhere else.”