I bit back a smile, sitting down in the chair he’d occupied a moment later.
We both ateuntil I was finally full enough to feel satisfied, then picked my car up from Emmy and Finn’s place. The walk there was only a few minutes. When we got back to Connor’s place, I grabbed the carry-on suitcase I’d brought with me and took it into the spare room so I could change.
Connor had offered me the room for as long as I wanted it, so that was nice.
And slightly awkward.
Maybe more than slightly.
I just wasn’t sure how to make things less uncomfortable.
My usual leggings, sports bra, and oversized sweater made me feel slightly better before I joined Connor in the kitchen. He was already cooking again, and my rumbling stomach told me I was going to be very glad about that pretty soon.
I insisted on helping, and we made small talk while we whipped up enough pasta to feed a small army. It wasn’tinsanelyawkward, but there was definitely still space between us.
Emmy knocked on the door while we were dishing up the pasta. When I pulled it open, she threw herself into my arms and hugged me tightly.
I hugged her back, emotions I’d tried to fight for months surging to the surface.
Everything had changed for both of us. She met Finn, fell in love, and moved to Moon Ridge to start teaching kindergarten again. I’d packed up my life in preparation of my parents costing me everything.
Now, I was mated to a werewolf too.
I had no idea what that was going to mean, despite my best attempt at making a plan. I didn’t know what to do with Connor, or how to stop the rejection that he was convinced was impending.
“It smells amazing in here,” Emmy gushed, as Finn slipped past her with a cake.
“I’m insanely hungry,” I admitted.
“Oh, that’s the worst, isn’t it? I ate so many pizzas in the first few weeks.”
“I’m not loving it.”
“I bet. Vegetables aren’t very filling.”
“It’s a shame,” I agreed.
Emmy grinned.
Finn sat down next to her, and Connor brought four bowls to the table. Mine and Emmy’s were both filled higher than the guys’, so it seemed safe to assume that my hunger wasn’t going to return to normal in the immediate future. Em was already a few months into werewolfism.
“We have great news,” Emmy announced, as she twirled her fork in her pasta. “After calling a few dozen different people, we found three couples who could be apart during the chase and still ended up mated.”
“Ryder said Char’s wolf didn’t give a damn when she moved back to her own house alone, so I wouldn’t worry about it,” Finn told Connor. “You’ve seen them together. Disgustingly happy.”
I didn’t know who those people were, but the way Connor relaxed said he did.
Emmy bumped Finn’s shoulder with hers, flashing him a teasing grin. “Sounds like someone else I know.”
He met her grin with a small one of his own.
I’d heard from the other girls how angry he’d always been before he met her, so the mate bond had obviously changed things for him despite their rocky start.
“Maya told me there’s going to be aweddingnext weekend,” Emmy said, her gaze sharpening as she looked at me. “I’d better be invited.”
“You will be. I’ll send invitations tonight, but it’s back in Westford.”
“Perfect. My parents have been nagging me to bring Finn for a visit. What do you need me to do? Do I get to be the maid of honor? I’dbetterbe the maid of honor.”
