Damon checked the screen, lips quirking. "Boom. Got a number. Probably a government-issued smartphone. If she's anywhere near a cell tower, you'll reach her."
My heart slammed into my ribs like it was trying to get out. I copied the number into my phone, thumbhovering over the Call button so long it almost started to sweat.
Damon watched, eyes glittering. "Don't freeze up now."
"Shut up."
I pressed the green button.
It rang once. Then a rush of noise, like wind and water, and her voice came sharp and alive through the speaker. "Hold on, shit." There was a rustling sound, then someone cursing under their breath.
For a moment, I just listened, locked up, then the call ended. Static filled my ears. I stared at the screen in shock. Even through the chaos on the call, her voice hit me hard. One word from her and everything inside me locked up like I was a kid again. The reaction was ridiculous. Also, impossible to ignore.
"Wow," Damon managed. "Strong start, Casanova."
Caden went nuclear inside my skull.You let her slip awayagain!Caden howled, hurling the words like bricks.Our mate! Our hatchlings!
I gripped the edge of the desk so hard my knuckles went as white as bakery icing. The wood creaked, and a piece of wood cracked off into my hand.
Damon's voice came through the haze. "Hey,genius. Your eyes are glowing. Like, full-on torch mode."
It took effort, real, embarrassing effort, and a little time to dial it back. I blinked until the world steadied. "Okay. I'm good." All I could think about was the warmth of her voice, the tension under it, the nearness. It was stupid how much I wanted to hear her say my name again.
"Are you?" Damon didn't sound convinced.
I huffed out a breath, staring at the missed-call screen. "I just froze. I don't know what I thought I'd say. But I blew it."
He rolled his eyes. "You didn't blow anything. She was obviously busy. You got the right number, I think. All you have to do now is not scare her to death when you see her next."
Lola, sensing the mood, stretched and promptly burrowed into the sofa cushions.
Damon was still watching me. "Look, why don't you just work more shifts at the bakery? It's the best in town. Odds are they'll be back. Boom. No stalking. No weird small-town feeling that she's being stalked. Just you, making rolls and trying to have a conversation."
"Simple plan," I said, almost laughing. A simple plan that made my pulse climb. I wasn't ready to admit how much seeing her again mattered. Or how badly Iwanted the chance to be close enough to feel her energy again. "You think that'll work?"
He shrugged. "Sometimes the simplest plan is best. Besides, you suck at lying."
I grinned, despite myself. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Anytime, brother." He hesitated, then went softer. "It'll be okay, you know. As long as you're both alive, you'll get there."
I didn't know what to say to that, so I said nothing. The call ended with a clunk and a flicker of Damon's lopsided grin.
The house was quiet. I felt like every part of me had been scraped raw.
But I had a plan now. Sort of.
I got up, stretched, and wandered to the bathroom. The lights made me look older, maybe a little wild around the edges. I braced both hands on the sink and eyed my reflection.
"Okay," I told the mirror. "You see her, you speak like a human adult. No babbling. No growling. Just keep it together for five minutes, you can do that much."
Caden didn't agree. He started spit balling lines in my head, every one dumber than the last.
Tell her what she is. Tell her she's ours. Tell her you've waited a lifetime.
"Not happening," I muttered. I tried for something normal. "Hey, Tash, long time… no, too casual. Hey, funny seeing you! No, that sounds like a stalker. Dammit."
Tell her she carried our offspring, nurtured them with her mortal strength.
