"One drink," he said roughly. "Then I go."
"One drink," she agreed, knowing they were both lying.
But as she moved to collect the wine bottle Edgar had left behind, Diana found herself hoping that whatever forces threatened to take Rowan away would give them at least this one night to be uncomplicated.
The last lantern could wait a little longer.
20
ROWAN
Rowan made his choice when Diana touched his face and asked him to stay. The pack summons could go to hell. Midnight at Moonmirror Lake could happen without him. For once in his life, he was choosing what he wanted over what was demanded.
"One drink," Diana had said.
They'd had three.
Now they sat by the dying fire, empty wine glasses on the coffee table between them, the inn's renovation plans spread across Diana's lap like blueprints for a future.
"I want to add a reading nook here," she said, pointing to the corner by the front windows. "Built-in shelves, comfortable chairs. Somewhere people can sit with books and tea."
"Good natural light there," Rowan said. "You'd need to reinforce the floor joists, but it's doable."
"What about upstairs? That empty room at the end of the hall?"
"Could be anything. Office, private sitting room, library extension." He leaned closer to study her sketches. "What were you thinking?"
"Honestly? I was thinking workspace. Somewhere I could plan events, keep records, handle the business side without cluttering up the lobby."
Rowan watched her trace potential furniture arrangements with her finger, her enthusiasm infectious even at two in the morning. This was why he'd stayed. Not just the wine or the warmth or the way she looked with firelight in her hair. This. Her vision, her determination to build something lasting.
"You'll need more electrical outlets," he said. "Computer equipment, printer, that sort of thing."
"You'd help with that?"
The question was casual, but her tone suggested it meant more than wiring and outlets. It suggested permanence, partnership, a future where he was part of her plans.
"Yeah," he said, meaning it completely. "I'd help with that."
Diana smiled, the kind of smile that made his wolf settle contentedly in his chest. "Good. Because I'm going to need someone who understands old buildings and stubborn innkeepers."
"Are you calling yourself stubborn?"
"I'm calling myself realistic. This place is going to need constant attention for the next few years. Major systems upgrades, historical preservation requirements, seasonal maintenance." She gestured at the papers. "I can't do it alone."
"You won't have to."
The words came out more intense than he'd intended. Diana looked up at him, amber eyes reflecting the last flames in the fireplace.
"Promise?"
"Yeah. I promise."
They talked until the fire burned to ash and the lanterns outside guttered low. About her plans for the inn, about holidaycelebrations she wanted to host, about the way the town had embraced her tonight like she'd always belonged.
"Thank you," she said as they finally began collecting glasses and folding papers.
"For what?"
