Best Friends (New Species Book 15) Read online

“Leave it all on the cart. It can work as a table.” She crawled down the bed.

  Snow stripped off his pants again and adjusted the cart before taking a seat.

  She stared at the piled plates. “I’m never going to be able to eat all that.”

  He chuckled. “I think they wanted to make sure they gave us choices, since they haven’t learned what you like yet.”

  “I still can’t believe you have real chefs who cook for you.”

  “Us.” He waited for her to sit next to him then pulled the cart closer. “Would you like to try one of these?” He lifted a large, frosty, dark pink drink. “No alcohol, Flirt said. He delivered it.”

  “Sure.” She accepted it and held it aloft. “To us.”

  Snow hesitated, his own frosty drink in hand.

  “We lightly touch them together. To make a toast.”

  “I’ve seen this.” He leaned closer. “To us, Mel. To our future, which will be filled with happiness together. To any sons we may have.” He grinned. “To every night that I get to hold you and show you how much you mean to me.”

  Tears filled her eyes, and she furiously blinked them back. She clinked their glasses together and they both took a sip. It tasted really good. Snow seemed to like it, too, since he took a bigger drink.

  “Please don’t get cold feet about our wedding. Is that the right saying? I’m looking forward to experiencing a human marriage ceremony.”

  She chuckled and put the drink down, picking up a cloth napkin and unrolling her silverware. “You got it right. And I won’t. I don’t run, remember? It’s going to be fun, and we’ll frame any pictures people take and hang them in our living room. I don’t foresee any problems.”

  “As long as your friend doesn’t start screaming.”

  “If Mary doesn’t chicken out,” she said at the same time.

  They both laughed. “We’ll get her to come even if I have to send a team to grab her. We’re getting married downstairs in the lobby by that pretty fireplace and holding a small reception in the cafeteria. Brass and Jaded said they’d make all the arrangements. Do you dance?”

  “I do.”

  He grinned. “I’m not good at it, but I’m anxious to experience wedding traditions like cutting the cake and getting to listen to music while you’re in my arms.”

  “Me too. I wish we could get hitched tomorrow.”

  “The clothing is going to take a few days. I can’t wait to see what dress you picked. I also ordered us wedding rings.”

  She gasped in delight. “You did? I didn’t even think about that.”

  “I want you to have the best of both worlds, Mel. Your human one and Species.” He glanced at her shoulder. “You have my mark, and soon you’ll wear my ring. Now you just need to bite me, and I’ll wear your ring, as well.”

  “I know what we’re doing after dinner.” She winked and ran her tongue over her teeth. “I’m going to bite you and show you just how much I love you.”

  Snow shot her a passion-filled look and growled low in that sexy way of his. “Being mated is already amazing.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Mel was nervous as she waited with Snow at one of the back gates leading into Reservation. Every minute seemed to drag by forever. Their ceremony was going to start in an hour. It would barely leave her time to put on her dress and get ready.

  “She’ll arrive,” he promised, keeping his arm around her.

  “I hope so.”

  “Are you sure I should be here with you? One of my friends could have escorted you. Tradition says it’s bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony.”

  “No way was I going to sleep without you last night, now that you’re mine, and Mary said she trusts you to keep her safe.” Mel pulled out her new cell phone and pulled up the text. “See? I mean, she worded it differently, but she said she’d be here.”

  Snow read the text out loud. “I get it, Mel. He won’t let anyone maul me because he loves you. Why can’t I get drunk first again? Oh, right. I can’t drive, and it would take forever for me to stumble to where we’re meeting up. I’m leaving now. I’m going to imagine they are all naked or something. That should help, right?”

  Mel looked away from the phone and spotted movement on the road. “She’s coming! I see her.”

  “We’ll hide,” a New Species called from the upper wall.

  She turned to flash them a smile. “Thank you!”

  Snow chuckled. “This has to be a first for the NSO. We usually show a strong front to humans who visit, to intimidate them into behaving. Now they are hiding to avoid frightening your friend.”

  “I appreciate it, too.” Mel shoved the phone into pocket. “Hide your fangs and try not to growl. It’s sexy as can be, but Mary…”

  “I understand.”

  She flashed him a smile. “Sorry, baby.”

  “I love when you call me an endearment.”

  “Even when I called you a sexy beast in the shower this morning?”

  “Especially then. That was my favorite so far.”

  Mary pulled her car up and parked it on the side of the road. She wore the pretty cream-colored dress Mel had ordered for her. It had arrived in time by mail. She also noticed that her best friend hadn’t put on much makeup, and her normally puffy hair was a little tamer. It made her love Mary even more. She might be scared, but she’d listened when Mel told her about New Species being bothered by certain smells.

  “You came! Thank you!” She pulled away from Snow and rushed to Mary, giving her a hug.

  “I love you,” Mary whispered. “I love you so much, this proves it.” She nervously glanced at Snow. “Swear to me I’m going to be safe.”

  “Species would never harm you, Mary. You have my word, and that of the entire NSO.”

  Mary gave a jerky nod. “Okay. Pretending they’re naked.” Then she blushed and glanced up. “Not you, Snow. Just everyone else. It would be wrong if I imagined you without your clothes, since you’re going to be like a brother-in-law to me.”

  “Tina, is that you?” Mel couldn’t resist.

  Mary didn’t even laugh. “Can I drink now?” She fumbled with her purse. “I have one of those little bottles of apple vodka from a gift set my parents bought me for Christmas.”

  “It’s going to be fine.” Mel grabbed her hands and led her to the partially open gate. “Just come with me. There’s going to be a tiny bit of a pat down. Remember when we flew to Los Angeles and we had to get felt up to get through security? Same thing. Just pretend we’re at the airport again.”

  “Shit!” Mary looked ready to panic.

  Snow slowly moved to block her from rushing to her car. “He’s completely covered. Pretend he’s human.”

  Mary walked forward stiffly. Mel may have dragged her a bit, but they made it through the gate and someone in the control room nearby pushed a button that sealed it. The clank of it shutting made Mary jump.

  “It’s okay.” Mel kept a good hold on her and turned her to the big male in uniform. He wore a helmet with a dark glass face shield. “Human guy. Totally human. Just keep thinking that.”

  “Right. You liar.” Mary stared at the guard with wide eyes.

  “Y’all need to lift your arms and just hold still for me,” the male rumbled.

  Mel nodded at him. “Nailed it.”

  “Are you shitting me?” Mary gawked at her. “You had him say y’all?”

  “It sounds more human, right?” Mel shrugged. “Go with it.”

  “I hate you.” Mary lifted her hands and squeezed her eyes closed. “TSA guy with bad breath. It’s you. It’s you. It’s you.”

  Mel grinned as the unformed New Species froze. “When we flew to visit her family, the guy reeked like fried onions and sauerkraut. Quick, pat her down.”

  Snow chuckled.

  Mel shot him a look and shook her head, but she smiled wider. It was funny, and they’d gotten Mary into Reservation. So far so good. She kept hold of her hand, even though it was outstretched for the