Amber (Jewels Cafe Book 1)

by Mia Harlan

If I squint, I can see the faint orange outline of the spell, connecting us. And if that bond will always be there, it’s about time I was honest with Amber and told her how I really feel.

  “I love you, Amber,” I say the words slowly while I stare into her beautiful, tear-stained eyes. “I loved you when you used to trip over your shoelaces. I loved you when you kept shifting your braces on your head, and arms, and legs. I loved you all those times we stayed up doing homework together or studying for exams. I loved you when we graduated and decided to open Jewels Cafe. And I love you now, today, even while you’re mated to two other guys.”

  “As a friend? That’s what you mean, right, Juli?”

  “No! Not as a friend! I’m in love with you, Amber. I always have been.”

  “No, you haven’t.” She shakes her head, beautiful locks of golden hair grazing Chase’s chest and Wes’s arm. I feel another wave of jealousy, of longing, and a small sliver of hope.

  “I love you,” I say softly as I stare straight into her eyes. It’s like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest until Amber shakes her head again.

  “It’s just the spell talking, Julian,” she says. “The stupid spell.”

  “Ambear...” Wes says softly, but I don’t need him coming to my defense.

  “I’m in love with you, Bean,” I repeat. “I have been for six years. And I can prove it.”

  “Oh yeah? How?” Amber crosses her arms in front of her chest, and my heart swells. Because it’s one of the things I love about her, how she always stands up to me and never lets me get away with a thing.

  Luckily, this time, I have proof.

  I take out my phone while Amber, Chase, and Wes watch. I wish they weren’t here, but at the same time, they’re comforting Bean and keeping her from storming off. Wes is still rubbing her back, and Chase is holding her hand, their fingers threaded together in a way that makes me wish I were him.

  I try not to look at their linked hands as I punch in a number on speed dial. This is going to be my proof. Because there’s one person who’s always known how I’ve felt. One person who can confirm I love Amber and have loved her since the day we first met.

  The phone rings.

  Once.

  Twice.

  Then it clicks, signaling she picked up.

  “Mom! Tell Amber I love her!” I demand, skipping the hellos. I don’t have time for that now, not when I’m this close to convincing Amber I’m telling the truth.

  “Tell her yourself, Juli!” My brat of an older sister says by way of greeting.

  I groan. “Put Mom on the line, Taylor!”

  “Dude, you don't need Mom.” She snorts. “You need an intervention.”

  Wes chuckles. Chase, the asshole, grins. I glance at Amber, but she’s just quietly watching me. Waiting for proof.

  “Tay, seriously, put Mom on!” I snap. “This is important.”

  “Juli, seriously...” my sister mimics my voice in a way that makes me want to smother her. “Mom can’t do this for you.”

  “I don’t need Mom to do this for me,” I shout as my grip on the phone tightens. “I need to talk to her. Just put her on the line! Please!”

  “What's going on, Tay?” My sister Erin’s faint voice calls in the background.

  “Juli doesn't have the balls to tell Amber he loves her, so he wants Mom to do it,” Taylor says, while I consider throwing the phone across the cafe, or drowning it in a pumpkin spice latte. If Mom wasn’t the only shred of proof I had, I just might.

  “Gross! Don't talk about our brother’s balls!” Erin makes a gagging sound. “And put him on speaker. I wanna say hi!”

  “I can hear you already.” I roll my eyes, but she doesn’t reply. Probably because Taylor talks right over me.

  “I wasn't referring to his actual balls,” she says, switching to speakerphone mid-sentence. “It was just a metaphor, Erin!”

  “Whose metaphorical balls are you talking about?” my oldest sister, Kris, calls from a distance.

  Because this is my life. And it’s never complete unless all three of my sisters are ganging up on me.

  “No one's!” Taylor and Erin both cry at the same time.

  “Kris, can you call Mom?” I shout into the phone before Amber decides she wants nothing to do with me or my crazy family... never mind that it’s always been like this. Every holiday. Every summer vacation. Every single time Amber and I went home from the academy. It’s a wonder she didn’t ditch me after that first Thanksgiving.

  “Is that Julian?” Mom suddenly calls, her voice faint but growing louder. “How many times have I told you girls not to pick up my cell phone?” she demands, switching me off speakerphone mid-sentence.

  “Talk to you later, Juli!” Kris shouts.

  “Tell Amber you love her,” Taylor adds.

  “And don't mention balls,” Erin chimes in.

  Chase and Wes both snicker, but Amber’s lips don’t so much as twitch.

  “Julian? Why are you and your sisters talking about balls?”

  “We weren’t, Mom. Listen, I just need you to tell Amber I Iove her.”

  “I can't do that for you, baby.”

  “I don't want you to do it for me, Mom.” I let out a groan and resist the urge to rub my temples. “I told her myself, but she doesn’t believe me.”

  I look at Amber, and she stares back at me, her soft, pink lips parted and her eyes wide.

  “Have you tried flowers and chocolates?” Mom asks.

  “What?”

  “Did you buy the girl flowers and chocolates?”

  “No, but...”

  “Have you tried taking her to a nice restaurant?”

  “No, but...”

  “Well, where were you when you told her?”

  “Here at the cafe! Why does it—”

  “There's your first mistake,” Mom cries triumphantly.

  “She’s not wrong.” Wes shrugs.

  “Is there someone else with you, Son?”

  “No one important.” I shoot Wes a glare. “Mom, just please—”

  “Listen, sweetie, if you’re going to wait six years to tell a girl you love her, you need to make a grand gesture.”

  “Has he really loved me for six years?” Amber gasps.

  “Is that you, Amber, sweetie? I'm sorry my son screwed this up. I swear I raised him better than this!”

  “Mom, please!”

  “Don’t you ‘Mom’ me. You could have at least bought the girl some flowers! You be sure to do that for her birthday. And your anniversary. And when you two make me some grandbabies.”

  “Mom!” This time I nearly do toss the phone at the wall as heat seeps up all the way to my ears. The way Chase and Wes both cover their mouths as they try to hold back laughter only makes the whole thing ten times worse.

  But then I look at Amber, and she doesn’t look horrified. Instead, she’s staring at me in wonder. “Have you really loved me for six years?” she whispers.

  I nod.

  “From the day he first laid eyes on you at the academy,” Mom adds, since she can’t see my nod.

  “You mean it?” Amber asks.

  “Of course she means it,” I cry.

  “Should have gone with flowers and chocolates.” Chase grins.

  “And a fancy restaurant,” Wes chimes in.

  “Who’s that there with you, sweetie?” Mom asks. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”

  “Chase Rowan Oak, ma’am,” the bunny shifter says.

  “And Wesley Berrett,” the bear shifter adds.

  I groan.

  “I have to go, okay, Mom?”

  “Okay, honey. I love you!”

  “Love you too, Mom.” I quickly switch off the phone. The guys grin at my embarrassment, but Amber gives me a look I can’t quite decipher. Like maybe Mom’s right, and I did screw all this up. “I’m sorry I didn’t take you to a nice restaurant, Bean. And I’m sorry I didn’t buy you chocolates or flowers...”

  “I don
’t care about any of that, Juli!” Amber launches herself at me and throws her arms around my neck.

  Her curves meld perfectly against my chest. She fits like she was custom made for me, but then, every hug between us feels this way. This right. This perfect. Every single time for the last six years. Only today, there’s the chance that it could be something more.

  I pull back so I can look at her. Really look at her. Without holding back. Without hiding how I feel.

  Then, ever so slowly, I reach out and thread my fingers through her hair. “Do you love me, Bean?”

  “Of course I do,” she says, and there’s no hesitation.

  Still, I take it slow. Let my eyes caress her lips. Watch her tremble.

  This is her chance to pull away. To stop this. But she doesn’t.

  I’m acutely aware of Wes and Chase watching us, but neither of them interferes. And Amber doesn’t pay any attention to the shifters. Right now, she only has eyes for me.

  Her heated gaze makes my heart race and my blood boil. When I start to lean down, she gasps.

  And then, I can’t take it anymore. Because I’ve spent years waiting. Years yearning for her, needing her, loving her. And I’m done waiting.

  “You’re mine,” I groan and crush my lips against hers.

  Chapter 15

  AMBER

  Kissing Julian is like everything I’ve ever dreamed of... doused in lighter fluid and set on fire. One touch of his lips, and every part of me ignites in flames.

  He tightens his grip on my hair and tilts my head up, positioning my lips beneath his. I feel completely at his mercy. And when he claims my mouth, over and over again, all I can do is grab fistfuls of his shirt and hold on for dear life.

  I don’t even realize he let go of my hair until his hands are on my shoulders. Then, he’s tugging my dress straps down... while a second pair of hands is yanking those same straps right back up.

  “Not here,” Wes orders, pulling me away from Julian. He wraps an arm around my waist, and I let out a whimper of need when my back hits his muscular chest.

  Julian’s pupils dilate, and he steps forward, eyes locking on my dress like he plans to rip it off. I tremble as he starts to reach for me, but Chase intercepts him and moves to stand between us.

  “As much as I like a public display...” He runs a finger down my arm, and tingles shoot down my spine. “Wes is right. This isn’t the time... or the place.”

  It takes me several seconds before realization dawns. We’re at Jewels Cafe. We’re standing right by the door, where literally anyone could see. We’re practically in public, and yet I was perfectly willing to strip off my clothes and do the chameleon only knows what with Julian, while Chase, Wes, and anyone else who happened to pass by watched.

  My cheeks flame, and I shift into that stupid bouncer again, then the angel from the shoe store, and finally the troll who ordered the Mood Tea. Julian watches me with unbridled desire the whole time, and, come to think of it, so do Chase and Wes.

  “How can you look at me like that, when I look like this?” I gesture at my temporary troll self.

  “Because it’s still you,” Chase tells me.

  Wes nods in agreement.

  “I don’t know how it’s possible,” Julian adds, “but ever since you drank that latte, I can still see you. Even when you shift, underneath it all, it’s you, Bean.”

  “Really?” My eyes widen as all three guys nod. “So when I shifted into Minerva before?”

  “Of course. What did you think? I’d never look at her like that.”

  “Oh, Juli.” I shift back to my own body and throw myself at him. One kiss, and I’m tugging at his shirt, but Wes pulls me away.

  “Lock the door,” the bear shifter orders and starts steering me toward the back room.

  It doesn’t take much convincing on his part. My heart’s already pounding in anticipation, and it lurches when the lock clicks.

  Chase and Julian’s footsteps follow us to the back, and then all three guys are suddenly right there, taking up all the space in the small room. Crowding me. Towering over me. Making it hard to breathe.

  Their eyes burn with desire, making my nipples tighten and wetness pool between my legs. I squirm under their watchful gaze, and my mind starts to race. I want them, but I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know if I can satisfy any one of them, let alone all three.

  Butterflies take flight in my belly, and my chameleon magic comes to life. Before I know it, I start to shift. But at least this time I turn into a fairy, and not something traumatizing, like Minerva.

  “We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready,” Julian says softly while I struggle to get my magic under control.

  “We could all go out to dinner instead,” Wes adds.

  “Or go dancing,” Chase suggests.

  “Whatever you want, Bean,” Julian finishes, and the three guys stare at me, waiting.

  But even though I’m so nervous I can barely stop myself from trembling, I want this. Them. And seeing the three of them like this, getting along and presenting a united front, makes me want them all the more.

  “I’m definitely ready,” I say as I finally, finally, shift back to my own body.

  Three sets of eyes hood with desire, and they all step forward as one.

  Which is when fairy wings suddenly sprout out of my belly.

  The guys all jump back, barely avoiding my wings, and I gasp. Not only do I have wings, but they’re hairy. Covered in Wes’s short, brown curls that I sincerely hope match the hair on his head and not the hair on his pubes.

  I groan in mortification and try to cover my face, but of course my new stomach wings get in the way. Making me wish the earth would just open up and swallow me whole.

  “Hey, Bean. Remember the time you pushed me off that toboggan?” Julian suddenly asks.

  “I didn’t push you. You fell.” The response is automatic, part of an argument we’ve had dozens of times, maybe hundreds.

  “It was during our first winter break from the academy,” Julian explains for the shifters’ benefit. “And she did push me.”

  “Did not!”

  “Did too.” Julian smirks. “But she made me hot cocoa, so I forgave her.”

  “It wasn’t very good.” I pout. “It was all powdery, and I didn’t add any sugar or salt.”

  “It was perfect.” Julian smiles softly at me. “Just like you.”

  I realize my hairy wings are gone when Wes takes my hands in his. “Why are you nervous, little bear? Do you want us to give you space?”

  “Please don’t,” I whisper, and he gives my hands a gentle squeeze before letting go.

  “Wait, you shift because you’re nervous?” Chase asks me. “I thought it was because you wanted my carrot.”

  He winks, startling a laugh out of me, and I know I owe them all an explanation. Especially when I’m telling them I’m ready one second and spouting wings the next.

  “It’s all just a bit... overwhelming,” I say softly. My chameleon magic doesn’t react, but that just means there’s nothing stopping my next admission. “I’ve never done this before.”

  “You’re a virgin?” Chase asks.

  “Or you haven’t been with more than one guy at the same time?” Wes suggests. Which would be the more reasonable explanation than a twenty-one-year-old virgin.

  Unfortunately, the virgin part is true, and they’ll find out eventually, so might as well just tell them. “I haven’t been with anyone before.”

  “I haven’t either.”

  All three of us turn to look at Julian.

  “What about the girls you dated?” My eyes widen.

  “They were just dates.” Julian shrugs. “There’s never been anyone else. I was waiting for you.”

  My eyes widen, and I throw my arms around his neck as he leans down and pulls me in for a fiery kiss. My body ignites, and I kiss him back, wanting more. Needing more.

  “Not here.” Wes suddenly yanks Julian away.


  “What? Why?” I let out a moan.

  “What the hell, man?” Julian demands as he tries to catch his breath. “There’s no windows. Door’s locked. No one’s going to interrupt us. What’s your problem?”

  “You don’t have to be here, Wes,” I add, but at his hurt look, quickly explain. “If it bothers you to watch me kiss Julian, we could... take turns? Or take it slow? Wait until you’re ready?”

  “I’m definitely ready,” Wes growls. “But you’re not.”

  “Yes, I am.” I gesture at my belly. “See? No wings. I’m definitely ready.”

  Because now that I’ve admitted it’s my first time, I no longer feel this pressure to know what I’m doing. I can just enjoy this... or I was going to, if Wes hadn’t stopped us.

  “This is your first time, little bear,” he says gently. “Even if you’re ready, your body isn’t. I want to make sure we take it slow. And we’re definitely not going to take you in the storage room.”

  “There’s a bed upstairs,” I quickly blurt out.

  “Then what are we waiting for?” Chase grabs my hand and pulls me past Wes before the bear shifter changes his mind.

  When we get upstairs, Chase pulls me into the living room, spins me around and brushes his lips against mine.

  “Slow...” he breathes. “I’m going to make you work for that carrot.”

  I snort. “I thought I had to wait until the second date.”

  “I could be persuaded to make an exception.”

  “What kind of persuasion did you have in mind?” I get up on tiptoe and meet him halfway. Chase gives me another leisurely kiss, but when I try to deepen it, he resists. I try again, but when all he does is pull back, I feel a wave of frustration. Frustration I plan to take out on Wes the first chance I get. It’s his fault Chase won’t let me slip my tongue into his mouth, even if he does let out the sexiest groan when I lick his lips.

  “We don’t have to take it this slow,” I complain when he pulls back and steps away.

  I glance at Julian, but he just stands there, watching us.

  Finally, I turn to Wes. “Kiss me.”

  “Not yet.” The bear shifter smirks as he crosses the distance between us. He hooks one large finger beneath my right dress strap and tugs. “May I?”