49
RAINE
“I’m like cheese,” I say, holding up what’s left of the rest of my sandwich. Maybe I am still a little tipsy.
“Cheese?” Roark says.
“Yes, it can change shapes. It likes to please and melts easily. Most people like it but not everyone.” No, I’m definitely tipsier than I thought I was.
“Have you thought about this before?”
“Nope, came up with it just now. And I’m most definitely going to regret this conversation in the morning. Do you like cheese, Roark?”
“We’re in Switzerland. I think it might be considered a criminal offense not to.” He moves closer to me, his chest flush with my face. His arm reaches around me, and my heart takes off thundering. He pulls back, a half sandwich in his hand, and takes a bite. “It’s tasty. Just like you.” Unlike me, he grabs a plate and a napkin. I follow his example.
Ten minutes later, we’re full of grilled cheese when there’s another knock on the door.
“Miss Wren Aline Fischer,” Leo says and steps to the side. Wren’s bag isn’t with her.
Roark’s eyes flash. “Leopold, did the wolf shifter guards bring Miss Fischer?”
“Yes, they are waiting for you in the entryway.” Leo inclines his head and steps out of the room.
“Oh, I’d kill for one of those,” Wren says, making a beeline for the food.
“Help yourself. Leo makes the best, well, everything.”
“It’s a good thing Oma can’t hear you.”
“Right?” I smile, thinking about my Oma. She’s not cooking much anymore. And I haven’t been home to see my parents since...
“I’ve got a two-day layover to visit Oma. I swapped with Kelly from Pittsburgh again later in the month. I’ll tell her how good you’re doing.”
“Thanks, Wren. You’re the best.”
“No, this sandwich is the best.” Wren settles in on the sofa. “I talked with the bodyguards while I was gathering our stuff. Kylie’s from Boston, and the other one, Winnie, is from New York. Apparently, they were supposed to be on call here for the next five months. But they’re super worried they’ve lost their job now, since we gave them the slip.”
“Yeah, without knowing it. That’s not fair to them.” They should have told me they’d given me security.
“That’s what I thought you’d say.”
“I should talk to the guys about it.” I eat the last bite of my sandwich.
“I mean, that’s up to you.” Wren takes the last milkshake off the tray. “Holy crap, this is good.”
“Right?” I put my barely used plate and napkin on the table. “No, I’ll go talk to them.”
“I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but this birthday girl needs to go to bed.”
“Your birthday, your rules. Let me show you how to?—”
There’s another knock on the door and Leo steps in. “Miss Fischer, would you like me to show your sister to her room?”
“Her room? It’s okay, Leo, she can stay with me.”
Leo looks at Wren and then me.
“If it’s okay, I’d like to stay in the same room with Raine,” says Wren.
