I have a little treat for you today! Back in 2024, I wrote a holiday short story revisiting Damien and his “problem client” later in the Men of Café Seuil series. I recently made some updates to it to match the tone of the series better.

This story is currently exclusive to newsletter subscribers, so today I wanted to give you a sneak peek along with the link if you’d like to join my newsletter and continue reading.

Please note: This story takes place after the main events of The Problem Client and is best read once you’ve finished the book. It’s set in between The Fake Boyfriend (#2) and The Doctor’s Mate (#3), but it can be read without spoilers for either of those books.

You can start the full series here if you’ve never met Damien and his problem client before.

New Year's with His Mate book Cover

New Year’s with His Mate

Damien’s stomach flips over as they pull up to a sprawling two-story white paneled house with gorgeous views of Mount Hood looming in the distance. The Balducci family home. Damien’s throat grows dry just looking at it.

It’s Christmas Day, and Ty drove him over the Columbia River, out of Portland and into Washington state to meet Ty’s parents who live east of Vancouver. Damien’s met Ty’s sister, Robin, before, but this feels completely different. Like some sort of test.

Will they like him? Will they care that he’s not a shifter?

A sudden wave of warmth and calmness pours through the mate bond. Damien risks an anxious glance over at Ty. His grey eyes are filled with love and a hint of excitement.

Ty’s hand lands on Damien’s knee, his comforting warmth seeping through Damien’s dark wash jeans. “They’re going to love you just as much as I do.”

Damien feels a little guilty sometimes that Ty can sense every subtle change in his emotions through the mate bond now. He can no longer fall back on his old hosting persona, not that he even wants to, but Ty would see right through it regardless.

“Hopefully not quite as much,” he teases.

Ty squeezes his knee and chuckles at Damien’s bad joke. “Come on, let’s get out before the dogs start barking at us.”

Continue reading on KP’s newsletter →