Page 41 of Healer’s Betrayal

“Was it one of our specials?” she asks.

“I don’t know. What are the specials?” I ask. She starts listing off a bunch of drinks that make literally no sense to me. She finishes the list, looking at me expectantly.

“She likes iced coffee with vanilla or caramel, and she likes cream.”

The girl nods, her smile not quite as bright as it was, but still there. “Okay. We’re making an iced latte then with vanilla and caramel?”

I nod because I don’t really have a clue. “And what do you have for kids?”

“How about a hot chocolate?” she offers, and I nod. She gives me the total, and I swipe my card. “All right. We’ll have that for you in a little bit.”

“Thanks,” I manage. I step over to the side but don’t sit; I don’t think I can force myself to sit right now.

Finally, the girl that took my order calls out, “Vanilla and caramel iced latte and a hot chocolate.” She meets my gaze and lifts the iced coffee, letting me know it’s the one I ordered. I walk over to the counter and take the drinks from her.

“Thank you.” I’m out the door a minute later, striding to my truck. The drive back to the apartment doesn’t take too long, and I hop out with iced coffee in one hand and the hot chocolate in the other and head towards the front door where Ransom is leaning against the building. The sight ignites my anger again, because there’s no way he shouldn’t be drawing more attention. A strange guy outside an apartment building? And yet, no one looks at him twice. “Any problems?”

He shakes his head and takes what looks like the last swig of his coffee. “All right. I’m off.”

“Where are you headed?” I ask.

“Back to the hotel to get some work done. Some of us still have a company to run.” I ignore his pointed words.

“Thanks.”

He leaves minutes later, and I walk up the steps to the front door and step inside. My mate’s scent hits me, and I look up in time to see her and Noah descending the stairs. The air in my lungs catches, the way it does every time I catch sight of my beautiful mate. I run my eyes over her, taking in every detail. She looks more rested today, and there’s a smile on her gorgeous face. She may only be wearing shorts and a t-short, but she looks amazing. “Hey, Jackson.”

My name on her lips will never not be my undoing. It takes everything in me not to pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless, but I force myself to keep my hands at my sides. “Morning,” I manage to get out. “Did you both sleep well?”

“We did,” Kayla says while Noah nods. “Did you?”

“I brought you a coffee.” I hand it to her and manage to avoid answering her question. “I don’t know what the coffee was the other day, but this one has vanilla and caramel in it.”

Her eyes light in interest. “Ooo.” Then she frowns. “But you don’t have to keep buying me coffee, Jackson. I can make my own. Oh, and you shouldn’t have sent Ransom with all that stuff. Four creamers? What were you thinking?”

“I didn’t know what kind you liked.”

Her eyes soften, and my gut tightens. “Well, thank you. I had a delicious cup of coffee with vanilla creamer this morning.”

“Good. Let me know which one is your favorite. You going to try that?” I ask a little too gruffly, nodding at her coffee. But it doesn’t seem to bother her. She lifts the straw to her mouth and takes a sip. I watch her swallow delicately and I force my hands to unfist.

“Oh,” she says, her eyes finding mine. “That is so good.”

The tension in my shoulders eases just the slightest bit. “Good.” I finally remember the hot chocolate. “Here.” I hand it to Noah. “This is for you.” His eyes widen in surprise. “It’s a hot chocolate,” I add.

He takes a cautious sip and then goes back for another. “It’s good,” he finally says, causing a smile to tug at my lips.

“Good.”

“Thank you, Jackson. That was really sweet of you.” Kayla looks down at Noah and then back at me. “We’ve got to get going. Thanks again.” She strides towards her car with Noah in tow, and I follow them, a few steps behind. Only when they’re in their car do I walk over to my truck. When Kayla pulls out, I follow her. She may not let me drive them to work yet, but she can’t stop me from following to make sure they arrive safely. When we get to the café, I park in my usual spot near the back of the lot. I've barely turned off the engine when I see her power walking my way. I roll down my window when she gets close.

“What are you doing, Jackson?” There’s a wariness to her voice that I don’t like.

“Sitting here.”

“Why did you follow us?”

“I wanted to make sure you got here safely.”