“You just want me to go away because you think me and Cristie…”
“No, I don’t. I know exactly what is happening between you and Cristie. And I also know you’re suffering, and being around your best friend is all that is soothing you at the moment, but the source of whatever is happening with you, also just stepped into that kitchen. You need to get a break from it.”
Kaiser stood there silently for a few minutes, staring out of the windows behind Remi. Finally he focused on Remi. “How do you deal with knowing that you’ll never be truly happy? That your mate won’t ever be allowed to be with you.”
“First, I don’t know that for a fact — yet. Second, I thought we were talking about you.”
Kaiser shook his head.
“Does Cristie know?”
“It’s not Cristie,” Kaiser said.
“I know, but does she know who your mate is?”
“No. Nobody does.”
“Except her,” Remi said.
“I don’t think she knows yet.”
“What about going to lie down in one of the bedrooms here? That way you’re still here, but you’re not having to be in the same room with her. Kind of takes care of the pull you can’t resist toward her, but also keeps the two of you separate.”
Kaiser thought about it. “That might actually work.”
“Tell them you gotta lie down. It’ll help you, and keep your secret at the same time.”
Richie opened the front door behind where Kaiser and Remi were speaking. He hesitated just for a second. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, Remi just noticed I wasn’t feeling well. I think I’m going to lie down,” Kaiser said.
“You alright?” Richie asked, walking over to Kaiser, and scenting him.
“Yeah. Just got a headache, feeling a little off balance.”
“Yeah, I can smell the pain. Must be a hellacious headache,” Richie said.
“I’m beginning to wonder if it’s ever going to go away,” Kaiser said.
“Hope it does,” Richie said.
Richie turned to Remi and gave Remi a side hug. “This is Remi,” he said to his mate.
Yvette smiled at Remi and hugged him, too. “I’m so happy to meet you. I’ve heard such wonderful things about you from Richie and Constance. You’ll have to come to dinner at our house next,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Remi said.
“I’ll see y’all inside, yeah?” Richie asked.
“Sure thing,” Kaiser said.
Richie walked away, leading Yvette behind himself, toward the kitchen.
“Let’s go back in,” Remi said.
Kaiser followed Remi back into the kitchen where the line had hardly moved as those who had already served themselves some food meandered around trying to wait to see what would happen between Kaiser and Remi.
Cristie jumped up the minute they came back into the room and approached Remi. “What happened?” she demanded.
