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Ouch. She didn’t have to say it like that, even if it was true.
I hugged myself and rubbed my elbows, feeling naked without my shawl. “If that’s the case, do I have to obey your alphas?”
She gave me a long, empty look. I didn’t like the look of that, how her eyes appeared more like glass spheres than eyes. Much like the void stares given by porcelain dolls.
She sighed. “No, I guess not.”
“Well, that’s a comfort.”
“I’m being serious, GG. Don’t do it.”
My chest shuddered. “Wow, you must be serious if you’re using that nickname.”
“As old as time.”
“As old as your dad.”
She chuckled, the smile on her lips breaking up some of the bleakness in her face. “Literally.”
“I’m not going to bang your dad, okay?”
She cocked her head to the left and gave me a grateful smile. “We can talk about all of it when you get back.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“That should have been me paired up with some hot guy.”
I frowned sympathetically. “I’m sorry, Kiki. I know how important that is for you now.”
She rolled her eyes and then held out her arms. “Whatever. Give me a squeeze.”
Hugs were good. Hugs were healing. Hugs meant that she wasn’t that mad at me, or perhaps she had never been mad at me at all. after all, the mate pairings weren’t my doing.
Right?
I closed my eyes I embraced Kiara. Within a few seconds of contact, winter mint poked through my awareness, inspiring my left eye to crack open. On the porch, Eric stood with a black suitcase in each hand. His grim expression told me he didn’t look forward to this trip, which didn’t exactly help my feelings about the situation.
Everything had turned upside down in a matter of days—of hours. How was I supposed to survive an entire weekend with the father of my best friend?
I slid back a few inches, determined to keep my friendship intact. “I’ll text updates.”
She grinned. “I’ll expect them from both of you.”
I laughed. “Someone is a mama bear this morning.”
“I’m just worried.” She glanced at her father, some of her smile slipping away. “It’s dangerous down there, you know?”
Eric stepped down from the porch and casually hauled his bags toward us. I stepped aside to give him room, trying my best not to inhale his heavenly scent. Winter mint was my weakness. It reminded me of sweet winter evenings spent around a bonfire with mint cocoa and fuzzy blankets.
If it was only comfort I drew from his scent, then it would be okay. Everything would be just fine. I wouldn’t have to worry about it.
Right?
Eric clapped his daughter into a snug hug. She squeaked and giggled girlishly, looping her arms around his wide torso to return the loving squeeze. A moment of content silence passed as their energy harmonized.
And just like that, things weren’t awkward anymore. It was the same as when I had arrived—undisturbed and peaceful.
I scrubbed my right arm. I might ruin their happiness if I don’t control myself.
