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“Me, too,” I say, giving her a small smile. “Thank you for your kind words.”
It’s been like this all day: customers come in, tell me they saw my speech, then say something to the tune of I hope you find her.
It’s heartwarming, but it’s also a stab in the gut.
They even say it to Devyn, who responds with her dimples and a smile, but I can tell it wears on her, too.
“I’m sorry,” I blurt to her in the middle of my shift.
She looks at me quizzically. “For what?”
“For causing all this. For having every single person give us their condolences.”
She rolls her eyes. “Skylar, I would happily talk about April until my tongue falls out,” she says. “Besides, it’s keeping us safe as well. The more people that know about what’s going on, the better.”
I shrug, knowing that I won’t win this argument.
Devyn is a lot like April in that way, and a twinge of sadness tugs at my heart.
“So,” Devyn says, wiping down the counter, “tell me what it’s like.”
“What what’s like?” I ask innocently.
My friend waggles her eyebrows. “You know what I’m talking about,” she purrs.
I pretend to flick a speck of dirt at her. “I don’t,” I say.
Devyn huffs. “Come on! I can see it on your face! They’re your pack now, aren’t they?” she whispers excitedly. “What was it like? The bite?”
“You’re ridiculous,” I mutter as my face burns. “It’s not a big deal.”
Devyn’s mouth hangs open in disbelief. “That is the lie of the century, Skye. This is a big freaking deal.”
I fight a smile as I take in her excited face, eager for any details I’ll give her.
“What do you want to know?” I ask finally, wiping down the display glass. “Within reason. We’re at work.”
Devyn huffs. “You’re no fun,” she whines.
I smirk. “I’m the meanest boss you’ve ever had.”
“You are. I’ve been waiting for you to come back so I can hear all about this, and suddenly, you don’t want to share with me.” She sighs dramatically.
“Fine, you little brat. Ask your questions.”
But it’s hard to be annoyed with her, especially when she’s genuinely happy for me.
“What does it feel like to be in a pack? Can you sense them all the time? Does it hurt when you’re away from them? What did it feel like? How?—”
“Okay,” I interrupt, laughing at her excitement. “One question at a time.”
“Fine. How does it feel?”
I try to give her an adequate answer, but I’m not sure my words can do it justice.
“It’s like I’m not alone, ever. Even if I’m in an empty room, there’s a permanent presence in my heart of them. There’s calm and peace inside of me, instead of anxieties and doubts.”
Devyn’s eyes are wide with wonder.
