My wolf whimpers at the absence of the heat of his palm.
“Oh no. Not them,” Caleb whines.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“I think Jemma just invited Sam and Taya over for brunch.”
“What’s wrong with that? Are they awful people or something?”
He sighs. “No. Just be prepared to eat fast or not at all with him around.”
I giggle. “Got it. I’ll eat fast, then.”
He rolls his eyes playfully and grabs my hand again. He takes off running, dragging me behind. “Come on. We gotta get there before they do.”
***
Jemma has set the table with the most beautiful spread of food I’ve ever seen in my life. “Now, Jay, it’s my understanding that you’re a picky eater. I hope you’re able to find something here you can eat.”
I scan the feast on her dining room table and discover there are plenty of things I can eat. Relief washed over me because I’m always concerned there won’t be. “This looks incredible. Thank you, Jemma, for thinking of me.”
Jemma places a dirty pan in her sink. It clanks as it drops in. “Well, actually, it was Caleb who told me what you like. He wanted to make sure I had something here that you would eat.”
I whip my head toward Caleb. “You?”
He spares a glance but ultimately avoids direct eye contact. He runs his hands repeatedly on the tops of his thighs. But, like he said earlier, he can’t hide from me either—I see him and apparently, he sees me, too. Before I can ask him why or simply thank him, the door to the kitchen opens and Sam appears.
“Morning!” He steps inside, pressing his back against the door to allow Taya to walk through. “I thought I smelled something good.” Sam closes it.
Taya greets all of us with a hug. “Morning, everyone.”
“What’re we having?” Sam rubs his hands together, but instead of making a beeline for the food, he opens his arms to embrace Jemma. “Hello, gorgeous. Come here!” He lifts her and twirls her around.
Taken by surprise, Jemma exclaims, “Oh! Oh my!” She laughs nervously.
Sam puts her down, and Jemma immediately fixes her hair and fans herself. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me but... is Jemma...blushing?
Oh yeah. She’s definitely blushing. She finds Sam attractive, and I certainly can’t blame her.
She clears her throat. “Well. Uh, Sam—it’s... always a pleasure having you. You too, Taya.” Jemma inches toward Taya and murmurs out of the corner of her mouth, “Girlllll...” She playfully hits her on the arm as she eyes Sam.
Taya checks her mate out as well. “Trust me, Iknow. And it’s getting warmer, so he’s shirtless at home almost all the time. I can’t wait for summer.”
“Mm, mm, mm,” Jemma shakes her head. “It must be nice to be our Goddess’s favorite.”
I can’t help but smile. A shirtless Sam wasn’t a bad thing to look at. He’s attractive, sure, but I’m not attracted to him.
Probably because we have our eyes on someone else...my wolf says.
Heat rises at the thought, and I tell her to shut it before my face turns red. I don’t want Taya thinking I’m also falling all over her mate.
Sam wastes no time finding a seat at the table and grabbing a plate.
Once everyone is seated, Jemma says grace.
“How’s your mom doing?” Jemma asks, starting the meal’s conversation.
Caleb’s forearms rest on the table. He’s hunched over his plate. Caleb hastens his chewing to answer her question. “The same.”
