She scowled. “I’ve been grown up for a long time.”
“In some ways, maybe. In others, you were the most emotionally stunted person I’ve ever met. Hardly surprising—so don’t get your panties in a twist.” She rummaged in one of the drawers and tossed Kaitlin a pair of khaki shorts and a hot pink tank top that matched the streak in her hair. “Come to think about it, Kane’s pretty emotionally stunted as well. In fact, the two of you are the perfect couple.”
“Thanks.”
She wriggled out of her jeans and T-shirt, then pulled on the shorts and tank. “That’s so much better.” Except the shorts were in danger of slipping down over her hips. Which would not be a good look.
Rose studied her for a moment. “You’ve filled out a little since the last time you borrowed my clothes.” That had been just after she’d escaped from the Conclave and six fun-filled months of incarceration. Back then, she’d been bordering on emaciated. “But you’re still a lot skinnier than me.” Rose tossed her a rope belt, and she slipped it on, fastened it around her waist.
Kane hadn’t thought she was too skinny. He’d thought she was perfect.
“You are perfect,” Rose said, then stepped in close and gave her an impulsive hug. “God, we were all so worried about you. I’d be happy you were shagging the devil if it brought you back to us.”
Kaitlin’s eyes pricked. Of course, she’d known they were all worried about her, but she hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on it. She’d been too wound up with her own worries and fears.
“We’re starting without you,”Jake said in her head, and she pulled herself away and sniffed.
“Hold your horses, we’re coming.”
They were in the meeting room at the back of the house. Not everyone was present, and she guessed that they were still maintaining the watch on the perimeter and the cave.
Leila was there. She glanced over as Kaitlin entered, a speculative look crossing her face. Leila would know what she’d been up to with Kane. They all would. It was impossible to keep secrets with this group. But she found she didn’t care.
The colonel was over in the far corner of the room, standing alone. He briefly caught her eye as she passed and then looked away. Martin Rayleigh was standing not far away, deep in conversation with Janelle. But it seemed as though they had reached some sort of accord; there was a closeness between them, even though they weren’t touching.
Martin had been fighting for so long—he didn’t want to be in a relationship with a woman who remained young and vital while he grew old. But maybe that was no longer an issue. Christa thought she could implant the anti-aging gene into other people. And besides, maybe the world was going to end soon, so what was the point in worrying about getting old?
Janelle gave her a smirk and a wink. “Welcome to the family.”
“Looks like hell must have frozen over,” Jake murmured as she passed him.
She turned and glared. She’d once told Jake that hell would freeze over before she’d allow Kane to get his hands on her. She opened her mouth but then closed it again when she saw the smile on Jake’s face. He was happy for her. For both of them.
“Don’t look so pleased with yourself,” she growled. “You haven’t entirely gotten me off your hands.”
“I wouldn’t want to.”
Someone had put a huge pot of coffee on the table, and she poured herself a cup. Kane wasn’t here yet, and she crossed the room and took a seat next to Josie. “How’s it going?” she asked.
“Shouldn’t I be asking that?” Josie said, sounding a little pissed. “Sometimes I hate the fact that everyone knows more of what’s going on than I do.”
“I don’t,” said Steve from beside her. “I have no fucking clue what’s going on. I’m just along for the ride. So, what is going on?”
“Something has happened. Everyone is looking very smug, and you look...” She peered at Kaitlin; her brows drawn together. “I’m not sure what you look, but something.”
“She looks like she just got laid,” Steve said.
Josie’s eyes widened. “You got laid. You and...”
“That asshole Kane,” Steve supplied.
Josie sat back in her chair. “I suppose it was inevitable. So how was it?”
Kaitlin raised an eyebrow.
“Well, honestly, everyone else knows, why shouldn’t I?”
Kaitlin supposed she had a point. It must be hard being on the outside. All the same, she wasn’t ready to talk about her and Kane just yet. It was too new.
