I put my window back up and began the trip home.
CHAPTER FOUR
HAWTHORNE
The phone beeped again, and Leo jumped for it, groaning when it wasn’t a notification from Harper. They’d been chatting for a week, sending flirty messages and getting to know her better. They’d even exchanged numbers so Leo could send a photo of the apple crumble he made a few days ago. Jasper was still at the clinic, and I planned to grab him soon, but he’d been checking in, seeing what Harper had said. They didn’t want to overwhelm her and give her all our numbers, so they’d just been sharing Leo’s phone.
“You know she’s at work,” I reminded him. Harper had told us she was a real estate agent and that she worked long hours. I rolled my eyes at the thought of wrangling another workaholic, but I also smiled. I liked taking care of people, and maybe another wouldn’t be the end of the world.
“I know,” he said, trying not to sound disappointed. “But she hasn’t texted all day.”
“Reminds me of a certain someone, doesn’t she?”
I hadn’t talked to her at all. Though I should be trying to get to know her, I had to admit, I was nervous. If it wasn’t for Leo, I probably wouldn’t have him or Jasper, either. I had never beenone to take risks when it came to relationships. As a pack alpha, I was confident, but that didn’t bleed into my love life. Leo made the first move when we were in high school. Not just on me, but on Jasper too.
We’d all been close for a long time, but once we got to high school I realized my feelings for them. Though I knew I would never do anything about it. Leo was a personality. He lived loudly and exactly how he wanted. And Jasper was a genius, always focused, determined to become a doctor. I was going to be stuck here as the next pack alpha, and we hadn’t really talked about what would happen after high school. If they both ended up leaving after high school I didn’t want to hold them back, or get my heart broken.
But then one day we were sitting together working on homework at his house after school. He was sprawled out over his bed while I sat at his desk. It was calculus, and neither of us were very good at it. Jasper was the one who was good at math, and we were waiting for him for help. Though Leo was complaining a bit more than I was.
I walked over to help him after the fifth time he said he was just going to drop out and join the circus.
“Let me see,” I had said.
When I leaned in to check his work I felt his eyes on me.
I looked towards him and realized our faces were so close I could feel his breath on my face. His dark eyes met mine, making my face heat.
“W-which one did you need help with?” I asked, my gaze going back to the page.
His hand came under my chin and pulled me back. My eyes were wide, I wasn’t sure what was happening.
We held each other’s gaze for another moment before he pulled me into him and pressed his soft lips to mine. My smallteen heart exploded in that moment. I wrapped my arms around him, pressing our bodies tighter.
A gasp came from the door and we both froze. I turned and Jasper was there, eyes wide.
“I-I…sorry. So sorry.” He rushed from the room down the stairs. Leo followed after him and I was so stunned I just sat there.
When they came back we were all able to talk everything out and share our feelings, and we’d been together ever since.
While it wasn’t always perfect, we made it work for each other, and now, at the idea of another, I wasn't sure what to say. I was too worried I would mess it all up, so I left the wooing to Leo and Jasper, comfortable to bide my time.
The phone beeped again, and when he checked this time, he lit up. “What did she say?” I asked.
“She’s talking about the house she’s selling,” he said. “Apparently, it’s like a huge mansion. Her biggest job ever.”
A smile touched my lips at the thought of my potential mate being so successful. “Look, she sent photos.”
He passed me the phone, and I gripped it at the top. Wow, the photos did make this place look nice. It was at least five bedrooms, with hardwood floors, recently renovated.
“Hello?” a small voice called out. I wasn’t sure where it came from. I looked around, confused, until I realized Leo’s eyes were looking wildly at the phone.
“Hello,” I heard again, and that’s when understanding dawned on me. I'd clicked the wrong button and accidentally called her.
I held the phone to my ear. “Hello,” I said, nerves making my voice crack.
“Hey,” she said. “What’s up?” Her voice was pretty and light, even if her tone was a bit confused.
I looked to Leo who just shrugged. I’d never seen him speechless before. “I, uh, fumbled my phone and accidentally called,” I said honestly.
