Page 24 of Forget me Knot
“We should probably get dressed before Emily wakes up,” I say with a wry smile.
Lily nods, but there’s a hint of reluctance in her gaze as she reaches for her pjs. “Right. Emily.”
“We’d better get some dinner sorted,” I mutter, my stomach grumbling like mad all of a sudden.
Lily giggles. “Alphas and their stomachs.”
Chuckling as well, I slip out to the kitchen. Emily is still flat out, so I decide to make some sandwiches, quick, easy andquiet. I plate up some ham and cheese for Emily, hoping she will find it later and like the combo. Giving the front door a shrewd glare, I pull the key out, hoping Emily doesn’t see this as a way to imprison her but rather to keep her from bolting and putting herself in danger. I pocket it and grab the sandwiches I made for me and Lily and two bottles of water.
Her eyes light up, and she sits up as I kick the door closed quietly. I spread out the makeshift picnic on the bed, and she grins at me. “Perfect. You’re just perfect.”
She turns her attention to the food as I stare at her like a love-sick fool. “So are you,” I murmur. “So are you.”
Chapter 12
Lily
Do it! Fucking say how you feel about him!
I look at Jack, and my heart is pounding like I’ve just run a marathon. He’s sitting there with that goofy grin on his face, and I’m overwhelmed by the urge to tell him everything. But how do you tell someone you love them when stuffing your face with food after what was arguably the best non-heat sex of your life?
“Thanks for the sandwiches.”Great start, Lily. Real smooth.
Jack chuckles, and I swear it’s the most charming sound I’ve ever heard. “Anytime, Lil.”
I can feel my cheeks heating up again. God, he’s so fucking perfect. I take a deep breath and force myself to look into his eyes.
“Want to watch some TV?”
Groaning inwardly, I give up. It’s just not going to happen.
“Okay,” he says, and gets up to grab the remote to the small TV set up in the corner of the bedroom. I rarely watch it, but right now, it’s going to be a lifesaver from awkward silences and break up the boredom of being holed up in here while Emily sleeps. I don’t want to disturb her at any cost. She needs the rest, and maybe tomorrow will look brighter for her. She is safe here—which I hope she knows—and we will continue to look after her for as long as it takes.
Jack flicks through the channels until he lands on some cheesy sitcom. The laugh track immediately sets the tone, and I let the absurdity of the show pull me in. It’s a welcome distraction from my racing thoughts.
Jack settles back down beside me, our shoulders brushing. He hands me another sandwich, and I take a bite, trying to focus on the taste instead of my nerves.
“Remember when we first met?” he says out of nowhere, his voice filled with amusement.
“How could I forget? We were five, and you stole my bucket and spade at the beach.” I see the sides of his lips turning up into a smile.
Jack laughs, eyes crinkling at the corners. “And then you chased me and threw a rock at my head. Still got the scar.”
I roll my eyes. “It was a pebble, and you deserved it.”
He grins, leaning closer like he’s about to share a secret. “You were fierce even back then. Scared the hell out of me.”
“Oh please, you loved every minute of it.”
“Yeah, maybe,” he says softly, his gaze holding mine for a moment longer than necessary.
My heart does a ridiculous fluttering thing, and I turn my attention back to the TV before I say something I’ll regret. But Jack’s voice breaks through my thoughts again.
“Do you ever think about those days?” he asks, his tone more serious now. “When things were simpler?”
I nod, swallowing hard as memories flood back—sunny afternoons playing in the sand, endless summers filled with laughter and not a care in the world before it all came crashing down when my pack sold me to the Omega Trials.
“All the time,” I admit quietly. “I sometimes wonder what we would be like now if they hadn’t done what they did.”
