“Tell me about your day, babe,” Jordan said.

“Work was good. This is better.”

“My steak is fantastic. How’s yours?” Jordan asked.

“Delicious.”

“Thanks for bringing me here. You know I’m not fancy, and I love being at the house with everyone, but it’s nice to have some us time too.”

“I agree. I like our us time. If I’d thought more about matebonds prior to meeting you, I still couldn’t have imagined being like this after a few months of knowing you. Our lives are complicated, but we’re making it work. I guess this Fate deal is pretty special. Humans have traditions too, and since that’s half your genetic makeup, I never lose sight of honoring both sides of you.”

Since he’d gobbled his steak and potatoes, Jordan set his fork down. “What do you mean?”

Hunter set his napkin on the table and stood. After shoving a hand in his pocket, he yanked something out and, to Jordan’s horror and surprise, kneeled next to the hybrid’s chair. There were faint murmurs from other patrons, but he didn’t give a shit about strangers.

“Jordan Hawthorne, I love you. I want to spend my life with you. Will you marry me?” Hunter asked, flipping open a box. It held a matte silver band with six stones that were glittering in the light from the chandeliers.

“Are those diamonds?” Jordan blurted.

“Of course they are. Would you mind answering the question?”

“Are you kidding? Of course I’ll fucking marry you.”

Jordan laughed as Hunter scooped him right off his chair and crushed him against his broad chest. The humans might not have been prepared to watch two gay guys get engaged, but they got an eyeful as Hunter kissed him. There was polite applause from the surrounding diners, but Jordan ignored it and concentrated on the gargoyle holding him close.

“Will you put the ring on?” Hunter asked.

After squeezing Hunter, Jordan sat and wiggled his fingers. “Go ahead, babe.”

Carefully, Hunter tugged the ring from the box and slid it onto Jordan’s hand. “There are six diamonds. One for you, me, Talon, Preston, Colby, and Crispin.”

“You think of everything. Thank you, it’s perfect.”

When Hunter returned to his chair, he smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”

“By the way, I love you too. But don’t force me to do some big, grand fancy wedding. I just want you and our family.”

“I thought we’d have a simple ceremony followed by dinner with our family, then we bite each other.”

“And I’ll finally satisfy your curiosity and have my wicked way with you in bed.”

“Just how soon do you think we can arrange this?”

“You’re the one with the plan. Get it going, Hunter.”

“I don’t want to wait. The sooner the better. Do you have any problems with that?”

“No,” Jordan said, reaching out and smiling as Hunter took his hand. “I love that idea.”

“I waited my whole life for you, Jordan. I’m so glad we found each other.”

“Me too. I don’t want to imagine my life without you.”

“What do you say we order dessert and get home to our family?”

“As long as I don’t have to eat another frozen gummy worm, I’m cool with that idea.”