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‘Why don’t we talk about something easier, like the wedding cake?’

‘Not a chance.’ Aiden grinned. ‘That’s my secret.’

‘Not even a hint?’

‘Not even the tiniest one. I’ve told you, it’s a surprise.’

‘You know I could make you tell me…’

‘Oh really.’ He grinned at her, worries about venues disappearing. ‘And how, exactly, do you plan on doing that?’

‘Well…’ She trailed her fingers over his arm and towards his ribs. ‘For one thing, I know where you’re ticklish.’

He jolted slightly as her fingers wandered over the sensitive spot there. ‘I seem to remember I’m not the only ticklish one in this relationship.’

‘For two,’ she said, ignoring him, ‘I know how to really make you squirm.’

Is this another mating thing? Lunar was unimpressed. It’s too early in the season for eggs, and you haven’t finished your nest.

‘That’s not a one-way street either, Princess.’ He wove his fingers through her hair, loving the way she reacted, melting slightly against him. He lowered his lips to hers, parting her mouth with his tongue and loving the pleasure and joy that thrilled through her and reverberated into him.

Featherless two-leggers. Obsessed with mating and so ineffective at it!

There was a rustle of feathers and a blondish-white blur shot through the open window, but neither Aiden nor Mia noticed as the wedding binder hit the floor.

* * *

Jamie opened the door to the florist’s, and was a bit taken aback by the explosion of red roses, ribbons, fluffy baby’s breath and fluffier teddy bears. He knew it was Valentine’s Day, but was still a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of it all.

‘Hello?’

‘Hi.’ A giant bouquet of pink and red roses walked out from the back of the shop, then balanced carefully on the counter. ‘What can I do…? Jamie Collins. How the green man are you?’

‘I’m good, thanks.’ He returned the florist’s hug briefly. ‘Glad to see you’re keeping busy. Other than that, how are you?’

‘Busy is the word. It’s the time of year for it.’ She smiled and tapped a couple of rosebuds that obediently unfurled a few petals. ‘Tired, but very grateful. What can I help you with? This isn’t your usual haunt at this time of year.’

‘I was looking for some flowers…’

‘Really? Did you miss that bit of gossip?’ She petted the tendril of the huge ivy vine that grew around the ceiling of the little shop and out through the window. For a second it quivered, then curled around her wrist, as if shaking hands.

Jamie smiled. Lily-Ann had always been this way around plants – treating them as if they were conscious pets. Though around her, he wasn’t sure they might not be. ‘Not sure there’s any gossip, really, for your vines to have brought back to you.’

‘Fair enough.’ Lily-Ann smiled and stroked a couple of leaves. ‘I need my hand back please, Ivy. Sorry, she gets a little temperamental and fusses about the long hours at this time of year. Even though she knows I’m not a delicate peony that bruises easily.’

‘Are you working too hard?’

‘Probably. But I’ll rest next week. You said you wanted flowers… These arrangements are already booked for collection, but I could tie together something similar if you don’t mind waiting a bit?’

‘They’re nice.’ Jamie looked them over briefly. ‘But they don’t seem quite right.’

‘No?’

‘They’re too romantic.’

‘Well, it is Valentine’s.’ She laughed. ‘Help me out, Jamie. Who are they for? Are you needing to apologise or butter someone up?’

‘No, I think I’m done apologising to her.’ He grinned at Lily-Ann’s confusion. ‘We clashed over some of my designs.’