Page 37 of Hearts & Embers

When I opened the door, Cody stood in the hallway wearing the expression of someone who knew exactly what he had interrupted and felt no remorse whatsoever. His gaze moved from my face to Jasper seated on the couch, then back to me with infuriating calm.

"Evening, Aurora."

"Cody."

"Good dinner?"

"Yes."

"Excellent."

His mouth twitched.

"Jasper looks to be alive, which saves me paperwork."

Jasper shifted carefully on the couch.

"You're early."

"No, I'm not. It seems you lost track of time."

Heat rose into my cheeks, and Cody's expression made it obvious he noticed. I stepped aside to let him in because leaving him in the hallway would only make the moment more awkward.

Jasper took his time standing, partly because of his shoulder and partly because I suspected he enjoyed making Cody wait. He collected his jacket while Cody watched him with the attentiveness of someone prepared to intervene if necessary.

"Did you take the evening dose?"

"Yes."

"Did you eat with it?"

“Aurora cooked."

"That wasn't the question."

Jasper huffed with exasperation.

"Yes."

Cody nodded.

"Good."

Jasper glanced at me and smiled.

"I'll call you tomorrow."

"You'd better."

His smile softened in a way that made Cody suddenly become fascinated by the wall beside my door.

"Thank you for tonight."

"I'm glad you came," I told him honestly.

"So am I."

He leaned down and kissed my cheek, a careful gesture made necessary by the presence of his friend and the limits of his injured shoulder. It should have felt tame after what had happened on the couch. Somehow it didn't. Cody gave us one more pointed look before guiding Jasper into the hallway, and I closed the door after them with a smile I couldn't have hidden if I tried.