“You weren’t answering your phone.” I hold up the device. “Found it in the greenhouse. Along with what appears to be the aftermath of a natural disaster.”
Theo has the grace to look sheepish. “Yeah, we, uh. Got a little distracted.”
“I noticed.”
Cara’s cheeks go pinker. “Lucas. Hi.”
“Hi.” I step further into the cottage, letting the door swing shut behind me. The heat from the fireplace wraps around me,but it’s nothing compared to the heat building in my blood. “Having a good evening?”
“I—yes.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous gesture I remember from a decade ago. “Theo made risotto.”
“I can see that.”
“There’s more on the stove,” Theo offers. “If you’re hungry.”
I’m hungry. But not for risotto.
I cross the room and pull out the chair beside Cara. She tenses when I sit, then relaxes when I don’t immediately pounce on her. Like she’s not sure what to expect from me.
Fair enough. I’m not entirely sure either.
“Theo.” I set his phone on the table. “I take it things went well this afternoon?”
He grins. “You could say that.”
Cara ducks her head, but I catch her smile.
“She’s staying,” Theo says, and there’s so much joy in his voice it’s almost painful. “She called her landlord. She’s moving back.”
The words hit me square in the chest. “You’re staying?”
Cara lifts her eyes to mine. “I’m staying. Permanently. I just have to go back to LA, pack up my stuff, get Mr. Darcy, and then... I’m coming home.”
Home. She called it home.
“I told you she would,” Theo says smugly. “You owe me twenty bucks.”
“I never bet you twenty bucks.”
“You should have. I would’ve won.”
But I’m not looking at Theo anymore. I’m looking at Cara, who’s watching me with those ocean-blue eyes, soft and hopeful.
She reaches across the table and takes my hand. Her fingers are warm, a little trembling. Then she lifts it to her mouth and presses a kiss to my knuckles.
The scent hits me instantly. Slick. Fresh and sweet and unmistakable, cutting through everything else in the room.
Cara’s cheeks flush red. “Sorry, I—” She pulls her hand back, presses her thighs together. “That’s been happening a lot. Around you three.”
“Yeah?” I keep my voice steady, even though my heart is pounding. “How long?”
“Since I got back.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, not meeting my eyes. “I’m on suppressants and birth control, but they’ve been... a little off lately. The suppressants, I mean.”
“Off how?”
“Just—” She gestures vaguely. “More slick than usual. Scents hitting harder. Feeling warmer.” A flush creeps up her cheeks. “I figured it was just being around you guys again. My body remembering.”
I smile at that. “Guess your body missed us.”
