Page 100 of Ember

She cornered me in the crystals section, in a small alcove where macramé plant hangers created a false sense of privacy. “Thank you. This was a great idea.”

“Anything for you.” Her red hair was back in a bun today, and I itched to pull it free. Her scent grew sweeter, and she smiled like I’d hung the moon.

My alpha instincts preened. Maybe I wasn’t a total screwup if she looked at me like that.

“I’m sorry things have been so crazy,” she started.

“Mi corazón, I’m a chef. Crazy is what I do. You never have to apologize that your life isn’t calm and orderly.” I stroked my hand down her cheek. “Even though I wish that for you, to save you some pain.”

Her lemon pound cake scent grew sweeter, and I briefly considered finding a dark corner. Somewhere. “You’re sure you’re okay, us all moving in together?”

“Yes,” I said. I kissed her on the lips, briefly. “We’re meant to be together, all of us.”

She nodded, looking determined and nervous at that statement.

“Bad things will happen.” I took both of her hands in mine. “But so will good things.”

“You’re right,” she said. “I just get scared that the bad things will take away all the good things.”

“Nothing will take me away from you,” I said, wishing I had the same way with words that Rian did. “You are mine, forever. I would bond you right now, if that is what you desire.”

“If you die,” she whispered softly. Fear filled her eyes. “You would leave me.”

“Oh, honey.” I pulled her against me. No wonder she was so cautious. I didn’t need her to spell it out, not when I knew her parents’ history. Anyone would be cautious after experiencing that. I thought about my parents, my dad giving my mother his heart every day, and receiving her own in turn.

“It’s brave, loving someone. Feels like the bravest thing you can do sometimes.”

She sniffled. “You’re right. But I can be brave.”

I held her against me until she stepped back, wiping her face. She gave me a soft look, and my heart flipped. I prayed I would be worthy of that expression.

“If you two are done making out,” West said, coming around the corner, “I’m starving.”

Ember laughed. “We’re not making out. If we started, we wouldn’t stop.”

“Too true,” I said. She linked her hand with mine, and we brought our spoils of war up to the counter. I paid for everything, and we swung through a takeout place on the way back to Ben and Rian’s.

Back home.

The chaise longue had to be delivered. We carried everything else in trips and settled at the kitchen table. Ben and I opened containers of Chinese takeout and passed around paper plates.

“We can swing by your apartment tomorrow?” Rian said, nudging my leg with his foot. “Get the rest of your stuff?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

“You can pick out any bedroom you want. We can have our own space in addition to shared spaces,” Rian added, picking at the hem of his T-shirt, a telltale sign he was nervous.

I brushed my hand over his arm. “That sounds lovely. I look forward to annoying all of you by having to wake up ridiculously early.”

Ember looked thoughtful, and West poked her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She smiled. “I’m feeling a little better. Thank you, all of you, for letting me…uhhh, have a nervous breakdown.”

Rian snorted. “I have them, like, once a week. Get in line.”

Ember looked down at her plate, dragging her fork through her noodles. “Umm. My parents died in a plane crash.”

Ben looked solemn and Rian frowned.

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