ASTRID smiled, his chest still warm. Watching Wulfric fidget on the other end of the call, looking like a kid waiting for approval, made something in Astrid's chest squeeze tight. The man was ridiculous. Endearing in a way that made no sense at all for someone with his reputation. Astrid felt helpless against the fondness building inside him.
"How can I not like it?" he mumbled.
Wulfric's entire face lit up at those words. It was like watching a puppy's ears perk up after hearing a treat bag rattle. His shoulders relaxed and a wide grin spread across his face, bright and almost boyish.
"Really? Then from now on, I'll call you my star," he said, the words coming out fast like he could not wait any longer to say them.
Astrid chuckled. "Just don't call me that all the time, or I'll start missing hearing you say 'Aster'."
