Page 51 of Wolf's Providence

“You!”

Caleb turned slightly so he could see me as he kept her in his sights. “Willow, you have a visitor.”

Lily seemed to realize I was in the room, because her scowl vanished, and her squeal of delight caused not just the shifter in the room to wince. “Oh my God, you’re home!” She brushed past Caleb with barely a glance and launched herself at me, causing me to stumble backward.

I felt his hand at my back, steadying me, and I saw Lily look up at him and immediately drop her arms. “Your wounds, I’m so sorry!” Which was immediately followed by the realization I was not in a hospital bed. “Should you be out? You were so badly beaten up!”

Her innocent question caused Caleb to flinch again, but this time for a different reason.

“I’m better,” I assured her hurriedly. “Healing really well.” Flicking my eyes to Caleb, I tried to catch his eye, but he was avoiding me, staring at the floor with a frown on his face.

Lily missed nothing at the best of times. She turned to look at Caleb. “So…what’s going on here? Are you two…?” I saw her check him out. “Why are you half-dressed?”

“I just got out of the shower.”

“Why?” she demanded.

I saw the look that came over his face and knew he was about to deliver a witty reply that would not go down well, so being a good friend and always ready to avoid confrontation, I jumped in.

“How did you know I was home?”

Now, she was frowning at me. “Oh, you mean when younevertold me?”

Yup, here we go.

“It was Noel’s turn to water the plants,” she said. “He said he saw ‘some guy’ come out of a Jeep and go into your house, and did I know who it was?”

She left the question hanging in the air, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

“It’s just Caleb,” I muttered. I hated how weak I sounded.

“Right.” She looked between us, her eyes once more roaming over his bare chest. “Just Caleb.Friends, right?”

Caleb didn’t say anything, but I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.

“Well, you’re obviouslybusy,” Lily said, breaking the sudden awkward silence. “I just wanted to check in and see how you were.” She sniffed delicately and I knew I was going to get it later. “It’s only been about a week since I saw you, but you look so much better.” Her smile was genuine, but I knew the glint in her eye well. “Call me…soon.”

I gave her a tight smile, grateful for the out she just gave me. “Thank you for stopping by. I’m…sorry I didn’t tell you. It was kind of sudden, and then I slept most of the way home?—”

“Willow.” Caleb’s voice was low, but it was enough to stop me from babbling.

“Yeah, right, sorry.” I forced a smile when I saw her eyes narrowing. “It’s all good, we’re good, just trying to settle back in.”

“Mm-hmm.” She turned to leave. “You need groceries.IfI’d known you were coming home, I would have stocked your fridge.”

“I can do that,” I called after her, my cheeks burning again, but no idea why. “Wait!” She turned at the door, an eyebrow raised expectantly. “I have plants?”

She grinned, shooting Caleb a smug look, and I wasn’t sure why. “Yeah. You have plants. Speak soon.”

She left with a grin, and I wasn’t sure why she suddenly looked victorious.

“What just happened?” I murmured. “That was super awkward.”

Caleb’s voice rumbled close behind me. “You didn’t have to lie.”

Turning to look at him, I hadn’t realized I was so close to him. “I didn’t lie. I just…”

“Lied.”

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