Mate (Bride, #2)

by Ali Hazelwood

“Remember when Layla mentioned nests?” My voice trembles. “I’ve been working on this for a while. Honestly, I’m just relieved that this new penchant of mine for acquiring shit is just a phase. And…” I notice that the placement of the lavender velvet pillow is off. “Sorry, this is a bit…” I move closer. Rearrange it over and over until it’s just right. Deal with a domino-like cascade of imperfections that need to be fixed right now. A minute—or seventeen—later, a moment of clarity smashes into me. I look back at Koen. “Am I being absolutely insane?” “I…believe this might be common,” he says. Uncharacteristically diplomatic. “God. Do you—do you like it?” He stares at the bed with a blank expression that my single brain cell interprets as disapproval. “I can redo it. Right now, if you—” “Don’t…I’m sure it’s pretty. My instincts don’t really lean toward the aesthetics and architectural integrity of nesting.” I frown. “What instincts do you have?” “They are much less wholesome.” His laugh is a half groan. “Less about making nests, and more about…wrecking them.”