“We’ll be there.” Astrid moves over to me, tucking herself into my side, and my arm automatically goes around her shoulders.
“Okay. Great.” Gwen mock punches me in the arm. “See you guys there.” She practically skips out of the room, turning to wiggle her fingers at us before closing the door.
“That was more than a little weird,” I say, bundling Astrid in my arms as I glance around my room to see if anything is out of place.
“She’s in a bad place, Callan. She was out of line coming in here, but she meant no harm. Can you cut her a little slack for me?”
I’m not sure what to make of Gwen Wright, but I know I don’t want to talk or think about her any longer, so I agree to keep the peace. “Anything for you,” I say before I claim her lips again.
“Babe, I want to warn you, the bitch is here,” Gwen says to Astrid, accosting us the second we enter the living room in Thor’s house. It seems there is no getting away from Astrid’s best friend these days. “She’s been mouthing off about you, and I don’t trust her.” Gwen slurs her words, and her eyes roll back in her head. “She’s up to something. You need to watch your back.”
“Ana knows she’ll have me to deal with if she says or does anything to Astrid,” I grit out.
“I can fight my own battles, babe,” Astrid says, unwrapping her scarf. The place is packed, and it’s hot as hell.
“Here, let me take those,” Renee says, coming up with Thor right behind her.
“Dude, you made it.” He claps me on the back.
“Said I’d be here.”
Thor quietly slips a key into my hand. “First guest bedroom is all yours, should you need it,” he whispers in my ear.
I pocket it in my jeans. “Thanks.” I appreciate the gesture, but I doubt Astrid wants to go near any of Thor’s guest bedrooms after what happened the last time she was here. And she’s not ready to take our relationship there, and I’m A-okay with that. I’m in no rush because I’m going nowhere, and Astrid is running the show. We’ll go at her pace, and I’m happy to wait to takethings to the next level. Not that we’ve had time to even have this conversation since getting back together.
We leave Gwen with Scott and go with Renee and Thor into the kitchen to grab drinks. Astrid takes a soda, and I grab a water. Neither of us is interested in getting drunk tonight. The kitchen is quieter, so we stay here for a while, chatting with Nikki and Riley, who appear to be with one another tonight.
“Have either of you talked to Lyn since she moved?” Astrid asks her friends.
“I’ve tried,” Renee says, sighing. “But she never picks up, and I get short replies to my messages.”
“Same.” Nikki leans against Riley as he plays with her hair. “It’s like she’s determined to leave everything and everyone behind and start over.”
“I don’t think Lyn would consciously do that,” Astrid says. “She’s going through a lot, and her mental health is not good right now. We should give her space, but still let her know we’re here for her. It can’t be easy having to uproot her whole life on such short notice. I feel so bad for her.”
That’s my bleeding heart. I lean down and kiss her quickly.
“What’s that for?” She tips her head back to look at me.
“You’re the kindest, most patient, understanding person I’ve ever known.”
Predictably, her cheeks flush.
“And you still can’t take a compliment,” I tease, cupping her warm face.
“Astrid was always the kind of kid who’d rush to help others,” Nikki says, smiling at her friend. “It didn’t matter if she knew them or not. She would always offer her help.”
“She has the purest heart and the truest soul,” Renee agrees, smiling.
“Don’t forget the reddest cheeks,” Thor quips, and I mock punch him in the chest.
“Don’t make fun of my girl.”
“You just did the same thing!” he protests.
“I’m her boyfriend. I get a free pass.”
Astrid pinches my side. “Keep trying that, and see what happens.”
