“He didn’t.” Nessa released a trembling breath before shaking her head. “He and my brother were close, and I’m sure they looked for me. Last night, I talked to Murphy about everything.”
“How did that go?”
“Good. Great, actually. I thought Murphy might lose it when he heard the less savory parts, but he held it together and just growled a few times, and that was it.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t offer to kill them for you.”
Nessa was a bit surprised by that, too.
Hunny’s eyes softened. “I’m glad you have someone to confide in like that.”
“Me, too.” Nessa looked down at the hand holding hers. “It’s just … I think talking about everything brought a lot of old memories to the surface, and when we were leaving the store just before, I could have sworn I saw my brother walking away from us on the sidewalk.”
“What?” Hunny spat out, craning her head around the diner like she’d be able to spot Angelo on instinct alone. “Are you sure?”
“No,” Nessa answered immediately. “I think I imagined it.”
Hunny turned her focus back to Nessa. “That’s possible, especially since you were discussing past trauma.”
“I know. But on the off chance what I saw was real, I told Murphy.” Nessa made a face. “I’m not risking my pregnant sister-in-law’s wellbeing to some gangbanger hanging around.”
“Oh, my god, wearesisters now! I didn’t even think about—wait, did you say gangbanger?” Hunny exclaimed, making a perfect ‘O’ of surprise with her mouth.
“Not so loud,” Nessa hissed through gritted teeth. “The point is; I’m sure it’s nothing, but Murphy is coming by either way.”
“That’s really sweet of him.” Hunny sighed loudly, relaxing into her chair a little. “I’m sure he’s going to bring Henry, and if Murphy tells him what’s happening, my big bear is going to be angry when he gets here.”
Nessa cocked a brow. “Isn’t that his normal range of emotion anyway?”
“Nope.” Hunny grinned. “Okay, maybe it is. But you know what I mean. I don’t want him to get mad at you because he thinks I’m in danger.”
“I won’t blame him for being upset.”
Hunny rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, I will. No one gets mad at my sister.” She sent Nessa a playful wink as their server finally appeared at their table, holding two small pizza stones in each hand.
“Ladies, here are your orders. Careful of the trays; they’re still cooling off.” Their server, Jolene, going by her nametag, set down the pizzas in front of Nessa and Hunny before placing her hands in the pockets of the apron tied around her waist. She blew a bubble with her gum, barely sparing them a glance. “Do you need a refill, or are you both fine for now?”
“I’d love more soda.” Hunny handed her the half-empty glass. When Jolene took it and walked toward the kitchen, she added, “Henry found out about gestational diabetes the other day. Ever since, he’s been harping on me to stop drinking soda unless it’s sugar-free.” She grimaced. “But sugar-free just doesn’t taste as good, you know?”
“Can you even get gestational diabetes? I thought your immune system was fantastic?”
Wasn’t that another perk of being a shifter?
“Thank you!” Hunny huffed. “I told him he’s acting like a loon. Even Tabitha said the odds of me getting that are essentially zero, but Henry worries about me and the kits.” She sighed again. “It’s really sweet of him, even if he is overbearing.”
Nessa’s mouth pulled back into a wide smile. “Overbearing, really? That was really corny.”
Hunny waved off her statement. “Anyways, I’m trying to drink less sugary beverages in front of him.”
“So you’re going to guzzle down a few sodas before he gets here,” Nessa guessed, her lips twitching with amusement.
“Damn straight.”
“Considering you’ve been craving sugary foods lately, I’m surprised he hasn’t haggled you about eating those.”
“I’m sure he wants to.” Hunny’s upper lip curled into a small snarl. “But I’m also getting these intense mood swings. There’s only so much I’ll put up with. He probably doesn’t want to poke the bear.”
“You’re just doing it on purpose now,” Nessa joked.
