Free Amber: July: Mystic Zodiac, Book 7 by Brandy Walker Page A

though.”
    “So, I’m paying you well then.” Andreas tipped his beer back, guzzling half of it down. The alcohol wouldn’t affect him that much, faster metabolism and all.
    “You and my Dad’s architecture firm. I stay pretty busy with both, and the pay is enough to keep me living a good life.”
    “That’s good. Wouldn’t want your taste to have to suffer a lesser-paying job. And my business is pretty flush?”
    Theo looked at him funny. “Of course. I’m an excellent CFO. Don’t you know how much you have sitting in the bank and how the business is doing?”
    Andreas shrugged. He had a fairly good idea, and he’d lied to Amber about it. It didn’t sit well with him, but he didn’t like talking finances to anyone, especially about his worth. It was one of the first things that came out of someone’s mouth when they found out who he was and what he did for a living. They wanted to talk ad nauseam about it. How did it feel to be so rich? What did he do with all of his money? Would he mind floating them a loan? Except, it hadn’t bothered him like it usually did when she asked. She’d let the conversation drop when he’d been evasive about it all.
    “I know. I just thought I’d ask you.”
    “If you say so.” Theo tipped his beer back and drained it. He dropped his head onto the back of the couch and sighed in contentment.
    Andreas finished his beer as well. He rolled it between his hands as thoughts started to swirl in his head. Amber. What the future might hold for them. The empty storefront that practically screamed snatch me up. “How much of a hit would the company take if I decided to start up something new?”
    Theo’s head popped up. “Something new like what? A new company? A new venture? A new life?”
    “A little bit of all of that.”
    Theo leaned forward and put the empty bottle on the table before resting his forearms on his thighs. “Explain. Does this have to do with Amber?”
    “Yes and no. She’s my mate, and I get the feeling she doesn’t want to move from here. She likes working at the bar. She has a nice home in Summerset with great neighbors. I want to be with her, and being here is the best option. She isn’t quite convinced we’re a match–yet.”
    “She is a Siren. This generation isn’t like the old one. They wait longer and sometimes don’t even plan on settling down.”
    Andreas turned his head toward Theo. “That’s pretty deep shit from a guy who has no intention of settling down either.”
    “I never said I didn’t want to settle down. I just said I’m not in a hurry.”
    “Huh. Okay. Anyway, Amber and I were in town today walking around, and there’s this empty space on Main Street. A closed up, and available, shop. Looked to be retail at some point. I heard those fucking whispers in my head telling me to stop and look. There’s something there, but I don’t know what it is yet.”
    Theo nodded in understanding. Even though they came from different Packs, they had a connection. A common path they were both traveling. “There’s something in Summerset waiting for you. Interesting.”
    Andreas could see thoughts flying through Theo’s head. His eyes were narrowed, and he was bobbing his head up and down like he was talking to the voice in his head. “I think there’s something here for me too. It isn’t Brit, but I don’t think I came across this place by accident.”
    “Dídymo diadromés.”
    Theo looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
    “Twin paths.”
    His friend nodded and smiled.
    “You don’t mind having a roommate for a while, do you?” He had no intention of being hours away from his mate. Until he could get her to agree to him moving in, he would be sticking close. He would have to head back into the city to sort a few things out on Tuesday, but after that, his time would be spent in Summerset with Amber.
    “Who’s going to run the company?”
    “Nikos can be the man in the city. He runs most of it right now as it is. He’s been