Page 3 of A Swan’s Love Song

Erik as he wrapped his fingers around one of Sean’s. “And I’m sure if Avi was interested, he

would’ve done something about it by now.”

Kellan elbowed him again. “Maybe he’s just as stubborn as you are.”

“Huh?” Sean glanced up, furrowing his brow as he tried to work out what Kellan meant. After

all, Avi was the Alpha. “I don’t understand.”

Kellan rolled his eyes. “Birds.” He poked Sean’s arm. “Someone has to make the first move. If

he won’t, then you do it.”

Sean’s eyes widened, his jaw dropping. “Me?” He swallowed hard. “Oh, no. I couldn’t.”

Could I?

* * * *

As Avi stepped inside the Vale Valley Inn restaurant, he tried to hold back his surprise at the

sight of Sean at the register.

When did he start working here? He offered the cutie a smile. Don’t appear too enthusiastic,

don’t give him the wrong impression.

Even though he ached to give Sean the wrong impression, he needed to dial it back. He was

much too old for him, and besides, he’d only been in Vale Valley as the new fire chief for a few

months and was kept busy at all hours. Sean was not only new to the Valley as well, but why would

such a sweet young thing be ready to settle down? It wasn’t as if there was any chance that they were

fated mates. At the age of forty-too, Avi had accepted that his fated one would never appear.

Avi continued to the front counter as nonchalantly as possible. “Good morning, Sean. I…” He

cleared his throat then frowned. Sean’s eyes had gone wide and he seemed even paler than normal.

“Is everything all right?”

Sean quickly averted his gaze, flushing red as he grabbed a menu too fast. The rest of the

laminated menus slid off the stack and went tumbling to the floor, shooting off in every direction.

“Oh no!” Sean slapped his hands to his mouth.

Sean rushed after one group of them and Avi the other. As Avi gathered up several of the stray

menus then straightened, he noted how defeated Sean appeared, the way he hung his head with

slumped shoulders as he rearranged them back on the counter. Avi added the ones he’d retrieved to

the pile, his fingers accidentally brushing against Sean’s. They both gasped.

Dammit.