“Aww, you are the biggest baby,” Fox purrs at my horse, and I wish ridiculously that it was me he was talking to.
“Sebastian, bring Gale home when he’s finished with the boys. I’m taking Cordelia for ice cream.”
“Mum-”
“Sebastian, I will print those photos and put them on every wall from here to Angler’s Beach.”
Sebastian gasps. “You are cruel.”
“And you test me. Just bring Gale home when he’s done. I need to talk to Cordie privately. It’s important.”
“Okay.”
I turn to the alphas, but I don’t know what to say, so I just lift my hand and wave, then turn away, leaving the three of them staring holes in my back.
Sometimes, running is the only way to survive.
Chapter 4
Cordelia
Lorelei pats my arm as we head back towards her house. The ground is wet from where it rained earlier, but winter in Australia is beautiful; it’s when everything turns green and lush.
I follow her up onto the porch of the massive Sol house, though I guess it’s probably a mansion with how many rooms it has, but they have always just called it a house. As I pass inside, I dump my keys in the bowl and sign the whiteboard. And like I do every time, I check for Sebastian’s figure eight, even though I know he won’t be here.
She leads me into the kitchen and makes a bowl of ice cream, while I sit at the island and watch.
“Why did you pair me with Sebastian? It’s going to be a disaster,” I ask hesitantly.
Lorelei hums as she tastes her first spoonful. “Not this time. It’s going to work out perfectly. Trust Sully.”
“You want me to entrust my future to a seagull?” I ask incredulously.
Lorelei grins at me. “Yup.”
I want to tell her she’s crazy. I want to argue with her and shout, but none of it will do any good, and secretly, I am happy to be with him, but then, I always am.
“Sebastian and I cannot get along.” My protest is weak, even to my ears.
“Oh, I think that’s not quite the truth. You both got along during Smitten Knot Bitten. Though, I think you both argued a lot for show, but when you thought we weren’t watching, you made quite the pair.”
“We had a common enemy,” I say darkly and pick up my spoon. I look at the ice cream and want to cry. Lorelei always remembers that I like Milo on my ice cream. I don’t remember a single time my mother has.
My mother remembers things like my zodiac and where the moon was when I was born. She remembers my birthstones, pearl and alexandrite, and what flowers are best associated with June, which are honeysuckle and roses. My mother knows what colours suit my complexion, and she knows what gems to put under my pillow when I’m not feeling great.
But she doesn’t remember how I like my ice cream or which bill needs to be paid to keep the electricity on. No, those responsibilities have been mine for a long time. There were a few rough years, but since I found the answer, money has been fine. I am okay. The bills are paid for the next six months, and I can breathe.
“What did we need to talk about?” I prompt her.
“Oh, well, it’s your birthday in three weeks.”
I wince and try to hide it.
She sees straight through me. “As evasive as always, Cordie.”
I huff. “I hate my birthday.”
“You do not, you just hate the attention of everyone who wants to love you, loving you all on one day. It’s too much for your little control freak of a heart.”
