I open the door and she’s standing on the porch, cheeks pink from the cold, her red hair tucked under a knit hat. She’s wearing a black puffy jacket and leggings, and she’s holding a bottle of wine.
“I come bearing gifts.” She smiles, holding out the wine.
“Nice.” I take the bottle of wine from her, and move aside so she can enter. “I didn’t know you were coming over tonight.”
She shrugs as she steps inside. “I didn’t get to see you the last two nights. I missed you.” She leans in and we kiss. When the kiss ends, she whispers, “I didn’t realize Jude was here until I saw his car.”
“Oh, yeah.” I clear my throat. “I’m sure you heard about the fire at the Blue Pine Apartments, right?”
“Of course.” She wrinkles her brow. “What does that have to do with Jude?”
“Did you forget he was staying there?”
She blinks at me. “Oh, yeah. I guess I did forget.”
I close the door behind her. “The fire department condemned the building for now. Nobody can live there.”
“Oh, dear.” She widens her eyes. “Wait… are you saying he’s stayinghere?”
“Yes.”
Her mouth drops open. “He’slivingwith you?”
“He had nowhere else to go.” I’m embarrassed at her overreaction because I’m sure Jude can hear her. I had a feeling she wouldn’t be thrilled about the idea of Jude living with me, but she almost looks angry. “Is that a problem?”
“Well, no… but…” Her gaze lands on Jude who’s at the stove. “I’m just shocked. I thought he’d just dropped by after work and would be leaving soon. I didn’t realize he’d besleepinghere.”
“He has to sleep somewhere.” I sound harsher than intended, but I can’t help it. She’s acting so heartless about Jude losing his apartment.
“Why would you let him live with you?” She gives me a bewildered look. “I mean, you barely know him.”
“That’s not true. I haven’t known him long, but I know what kind of person he is.”
“Well, even if that’s true…” She frowns. “I was kind of hoping to spend some alone time with you tonight. You’ve been kind of MIA lately.”
“You know how it is when the resort opens.”
“Yes, but usually we still make time for each other.” She studies the table with the two place settings. Her gaze shifts again to Jude, barefoot, hair damp from his shower, wearing sweats. I can see her processing all of it and she looks annoyed. “You couldn’t be bothered to call me to hang out tonight, but you have time to have a cozy night in with Jude?”
“What? No,” I say. “It’s not like that. We had to eat so I made dinner.” “To be honest, I wasn’t thinking about anything but making sure Jude felt welcome.”
“Well, he certainly looks like he feels at home.”
“I hope so.” Kara of course thinks Jude can’t hear what she’s saying, but shifters have extra sensitive hearing. I’m sure he’s caught every word of our conversation.
I’m proven right when he sets the wooden spoon down and turns, a strained smile on his face. “Hey, Kara.” He looks self-conscious. “You probably didn’t expect to see me here.”
She grimaces. “Uh, no, I didn’t.”
“Sorry.” He glances at me. “There was a fire at my apartment… um… Liam insisted I stay here until I can find another place.” He turns stiffly back to the green beans, picking up the spoon again. “I’m hoping it won’t take too long.”
“There’s no rush, I told you that,” I say firmly.
She brushes past me, unzipping her jacket. “Liam is too nice sometimes, but I get what you’re saying, Jude. Obviously you don’t want to take advantage of the friendship.”
“No, I don’t,” he says quietly.
“Jude isn’t taking advantage of me.” I scowl. “I had to browbeat him into accepting my offer.”
