Logan stood and rounded the desk.“Can you spare a few minutes for a beer with an old friend before you go?I want to hear more about you and Meredith.”
Silas scratched his stubble.“Only if you tell me what it’s like being Polina’s caretaker.”
“For that you’ll have to commit to two beers.”Logan gave a low chuckle.
With a thump on his friend’s back, Silas opened the door.“It’s a hard job, but I’ll make the sacrifice for you, my friend.”
“You know, between Grateful and your sister both being pregnant, Polina has been talking about babies in her sleep.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Not at all.”Logan bobbed an eyebrow.“I’m willing to practice as long as she wants me to though.”
Organizing the monthly shift was never easy, but neither was maintaining a decade-long friendship.Silas followed Logan from his office, eager to fulfill his two-beer promise.
ChapterSeventeen
Days later, with Silas performing his duties at Rivergate, Meredith let herself into his small brick home to take care of Maggie.She was happy to do this for him, to allow him to stay with his pack for the three days of the full moon.She liked how it made her feel.Like she’d become an important part of his life.She hoped it was the beginning of something more.
“Hey, girl.”She rubbed Maggie’s floppy ears and filled the mutt’s bowls.She’d take her out back for a run when she was done eating.Maggie had a doggie door, so technically all she needed was feeding, but Meredith didn’t think it was proper to leave the dog alone so much.She’d decided to stay a few hours to play with the pup.
A rattle came from the front door, as if someone was trying the knob.She hadn’t locked it when she came in and wondered what was stopping whoever it was from entering.Unless it was someone supernatural who couldn’t get past the enchantment.Her fingers grazed the butt of the gun tucked into the small of her back.Still there.She strode across the room and opened the door.
“Soleil?”She almost didn’t recognize the blonde, her sunny glow masked by the bright day behind her.
“Excuse me?Do I know you?”Soleil smoothed the fabric of her fitted, plum-colored dress.
“Uh, no, I guess we haven’t met.I’m Silas’s partner, Meredith.”She wasn’t sure why she didn’t say she was his girlfriend.A gut feeling.A remnant of awkwardness still clung to the word, especially under Soleil’s scrutiny.
“Is Silas here?I need to ask him something before he leaves for Rivergate.”
“I’m sorry, he decided to spend the day at the mansion with his pack.I can give him a message for you.”
“If Silas isn’t here, why are you in his house?”
She smiled at Soleil, the type of smile she used on families of victims or criminals who came into the station.It was a soothing, everything-is-okay smile.But the strange clenching in her gut told her it was necessary.No explanation was owed the woman, but she offered the simplest one.“I’m helping with Maggie.”
The fae mirrored her smile, her hands folding elegantly in front of her hips.“Would you please invite me in?I believe I’ve left something important in Silas’s bedroom.”
Meredith shifted back slightly.“You left something in his bedroom?When?”
“A few nights ago.He did tell you we’ve been seeing each other?For years actually.I’ve never had any problems entering the house before, but…” Soleil flourished one hand toward the door, then used it to smooth a stray hair back into her chignon.
“Strange, I was under the impression you broke up some time ago.”Meredith’s heart quickened with unease, but she did her best to maintain a calm demeanor.Her time as a detective had taught her a person’s words were a jewel that must be examined under a microscope and from multiple angles to determine their worth.Her heart might throw itself on the floor in a tantrum at the thought of Soleil with Silas only a few nights ago, but her brain was counting backward, finding no evidence that the conjecture held any truth.How could Silas have spent the night with Soleil when he’d stayed with her every night since they’d made love the first time?
Soleil placed a hand on her chest.“Technically, I guess, our relationship is on hiatus while we each explore our goals for our future.Mind you, it’s only because he wants more than I’m willing to give at the moment.But he made it clear his invitation is always open.And I have to admit, every day we are apart, I’m more tempted to say yes.”She bit her lip gingerly.
Meredith fought the urge to roll her eyes.Her stomach hurt.Was it possible Silas had continued his relationship with Soleil at the same time he dated her?No, she thought.Not after the way he’d reacted to watching Soleil in the club.Even after learning of Soleil’s motivation to do what she did, he’d made it crystal clear that he wasn’t in love with her anymore.
“I’m sorry for your trouble, but Silas won’t be back until Tuesday.I can let him know you stopped by.”
“Don’t be silly.Simply invite me in, and I’ll obtain what I’m after.”She trailed her fingertips along the invisible barrier between them.
“I… I’m not sure that would be for the best, Soleil,” Meredith said.“Silas had the enchantment changed for a reason.If I invite you in, I’d be betraying his trust.Like I said before, I can give him a message for you.”
Agitated, Soleil shifted uneasily on the stoop, her formfitting dress out of place in the suburban setting.Tiny sparks of energy danced across her buttery skin.“I know what you are,” she said, sizing up Meredith.“You’re not like him.You’re not what you say you are.”
“I think you should go,” Meredith said.
