What scares a fucking hellhound?
It’s not surprising Thane saw through my bullshit second-cousin story, but Lou’s response suggests she might know what he is.
I give the hellhound a tight hug, then return to the kitchen.
When I look up from plating the mousse, I spot Eve curled up in Thane’s lap. They’re deep in conversation, and her cheeks are glowing a deep, dark red I can see from here.
I’m so jealous … and so fucking horny.
No. Bad thoughts, Aurora. These are your friends. You don’t need to be that bitch.
So, I suck it up like a badass buttercup and serve dessert.
“Oh, you remembered! Aurora makes the most incredible lemon mousse. Even makes her own lemon curd for it!” Eve squeals, then dives into the fluffy, pale-yellow dessert.
“I hope your second cousin, Laura, from England, will be okay,” Thane says with a straight face.
“Heh. Yeah. She’ll be okay. Probably just needs some rest,” I say while absentmindedly poking holes in my dessert.
“Are you ready to come back to work on Monday?” Eve asks excitedly.
“Yes! I’m so ready! I appreciate the time off. I know I need to rest and reset, but shit, it’s been boring, even with Laura visiting,” I say, forgetting about Thane’s strange behavior for a moment.
“Have you heard from Ezra?” Thane asks. “He hasn’t been in touch with the shop, and his cell phone is off.”
“Nope, I haven’t heard from him. I thought he’d be home by now. I’m trying not to worry.”
I furiously fight off the tears threatening to fall, then run a hand over my chest, trying to calm the thread tugging violently at my heart.
“He’ll be back soon, Aurora. He does this now and then, and he always comes back. I wouldn’t worry too much.”
Thane wants to be reassuring, but even he looks a little concerned.
“Hey, Aury, where’s Louie?” Eve asks as she scans Ezra’s first floor.
Goddamn it. I really suck at this secret life thing.
“Lou isn’t comfortable here, so she’s been spending a lot of time in the woods. She comes here to check in and eat.”
Another lie that has the unpleasant taste of deceit dancing at the back of my throat.
Eve sighs, then drapes her arm over Thane, who leans down and kisses the top of her head.
“Dang, I was hoping to get some of her epic cuddles,” she pouts, snuggling further into Thane’s side.
“I bet she’s closer than we think,” Thane whispers to Eve, his mischievous gaze never leaving me.
Okay, seriously. What the fuck? He’s dropped too many hints to ignore at this point. But it doesn’t feel threatening, exactly. Just …
intentional. Like he’s deliberately nudging me toward something.
Fine. Let’s see what happens when I push back.
“Yeah, she’s always close. You’d be surprised how fast she moves when she smells blood.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” Thane says easily, smiling warmly.
Well, fuck. Not even a blink.
