AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Whatever, in any case, I can’t deny my heart what it wants. I’m not pulling back from caring about you.” Aaron cupped her cheek in his baseball mitt palm and kissed her on the lips as she took a break between pizza bites.
“You’re so sweet. You’re more delicious than any pizza.” She wrinkled her nose and kissed him back.
I cleared my throat theatrically, sliding my palm across her bare shoulder, squeezing. “What about me?”
She leaned forward. “You guys know that after today, I won’t play favorites.” She gave me a shy look, but pressed her lips to mine.
The kiss was quick, but her soft mouth set my wolf scrambling at my insides, growling in excited delight at our first kiss with her. I managed to calm him, reassuring him there would be more to come. We weren’t going anywhere and she wasn’t either. She wanted me just as much as the bear.
Ceci finished her slice, but when I offered her more, she patted her abdomen and groaned. “Oh, I couldn’t. I’m stuffed. We can put it in the fridge and heat—”
A bleep and vibration lit up her phone screen. She reached forward and picked it up off the table, swiping and tapping. Her smile melted away within seconds.
I placed a gentle palm on her leg. “Are you okay?”
Still staring at the screen, she whispered in a strained voice. “It’s an email. From my mom.”
Cecilia
Iread the email silently to myself, and then again, out loud to the guys:
Dear Ceci
I’m so sorry for not getting in touch sooner, sweetheart. I know you must have been very worried, and I can’t say sorry enough about that. Things are just very, very complicated, and it’s hard to explain what’s been going on. Just know that my health is better than ever, I am absolutely fine, and someone is taking care of me extremely well.
I can’t come home right now, but I’m thinking of you every day, and hoping that you’re taking care of yourself and being careful no matter what you do. I’m also confident that your new friend, Professor Belanger, is looking out for you and making sure you’re alright. Make sure to save up a little from your paycheck, so you can treat him to a banquet of Chinese food. And don’t forget the special spring rolls he loves so much.
I won’t be able to speak on the phone or reply to this email, but I promise I’m doing great, and I will be in touch again soon. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more just now, but we’ll see each other before you know it.
Deepest love and kisses,
Mom
xxxx
Along with her knowledge of Aaron, it was those four kisses at the end that made me certain it was her. When we’d left handwritten notes for each other, she’d always ended them that way.
I replied back immediately, in case she was still at her email:
Mom,I love you too. I wish you’d tell me more about what’s going on. Please come home soon. Ceci, xxxx
I didn’t even know if she’d read it, but I had to hope.
I read her email one more time and my shoulders sagged, relief flooding and soothing my whole body.
My mom was okay and in even better health than before, according to her. But the mystery was like something from a spy novel. And this was my mom, not a secret agent!
Still, I was so glad to hear from her. I found myself staring at the phone for several long moments, the apartment silent. Osric had muted the TV as soon as the email came in.
“This is great news, right?” Aaron asked gently.
I put my phone down, turned, and hugged him. We held onto each other as I continued to process the fact my mom was okay. She was alive and swore she was well. And though I wouldn’t stop worrying or thinking about what could possibly be going on, I could breathe again. For the first time in days, it didn’t feel like my chest was locked in a vise. I lifted my head from his shoulder and gave him a deep, lingering kiss.
Aaron responded immediately, matching my enthusiasm, moving his lips, scratching his scruff on my chin.
I’d meant it as a brief kiss, but I didn’t want to pull away.
He seemed to sense that, and his strong hands stroked down my back, squeezing my body close to his.
