“That actually sounds really good.”
I open my phone and locate the nearest Panera. “What kind of soup? Chicken noodle, broccoli and cheese, chicken and wild rice—”
“Chicken and wild rice. That sounds so good.”
I add two bowls to my order and then reach out to Zane.I’m ordering soup from Panera for Tessa. Anybody want to add anything?
It’s just Evie and me. Reid and Quint both are gone.
I know exactly why Quint is gone, and I force myself not to think about him. He’s the reason Tessa’s in such pain. I crack my neck and focus.What do you and Evie want?
Evie wants broccoli and cheese soup and bread. I’ll take a salad with extra protein and whatever soup has protein. Thanks, Man. I’ll Venmo you the cash.
It’s fine.I add their food and double the salad, getting one for myself and add another bowl of the chicken and rice soup Tessa requested because that sounds good. I finish the order.An hour,I send to Zane.
We'll let you know when it gets here.
Tessa starts to sit up, and I move forward, putting a hand behind her back. I take her scent deep into my lungs, and it helps to calm my wolf. I will never forget the first moment her scent slammed into me. It’s hard to describe, but if I had to, I wouldsay something soft and feminine like a spring flower. “Food will be here in about an hour. Do you mind if I turn on the light?”
“Sure.” I flip on the small lamp next to the bed. She blinks a moment and then glances down at her shirt and grimaces. “I guess this one is ruined.”
“I can try washing it for you.”
She lifts her gaze to mine. “You know some stain removal tricks?”
“My mom had to get a lot of stains out of my soccer shirts over the years. I’ll ask her. If anybody knows, she would.”
Her eyes light up. “I bet she did. What’s she like?”
“My mom?”
“Yeah.”
I pause to think about it. “She’s quiet; so is my dad really. They kind of keep to themselves. They had me when they were older, and so it’s always been just the three of us.”
She smiles, but it quickly fades. “Ow. Remind me not to smile.”
“That’s going to be difficult.”
She blinks. “Why?”
I don’t look away from her. “You smile all the time.” I can tell she has to force herself not to smile at that. “What’s your family like?”
“Oh boy. Are you sure you want to know?”
“Yes.”
She gives me a small smile. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. We are a ridiculously loud, crazy bunch. First, there’s my stepdad, who’s a big guy that looks intimidating but is really a big ole’ teddy bear. Then there’s my mom who is always striving for perfection. She's never going to get there, but if it were possible, she would attain it.” I can hear the fondness in her voice as she talks about her mom. I listen carefully to every word about her family and commit every detail to memory. This is my girl’sfamily and obviously really important to her. That makes them really important to me too.
Chapter 17
Tessa
I’m careful not to smile, as that hurts my nose. But I can’t help the smile in my words as I think of my family. I didn’t realize until right in this moment how much I miss them all. “My mom is the best mom in the world. Then there’s my older brother, who is protective and a pain in my backside. But I love him with my whole heart. He’s married to Leah, who is a sweetheart and they have two precious boys. Levi is three, and Lincoln is six months. They are absolutely adorable. Then there’s my ten-year-old brother, Braeden. He loves soccer and is pretty good. Evan is my eight-year-old brother who is a gentle soul and will probably do something with animals someday. And then there’s the firecracker of the family, Rebecca. She’s six going on twenty. Like I said, we’re a ridiculously loud, crazy bunch. And man, I miss them. I didn’t realize how much until just now, talking to you.”
“Are you going home for Christmas?” he asks quietly.
“Probably not.”
