Page 63 of The Hunger
“Never mind about that. I’m sure it was nothing.”
“If you wanted to talk to me, it’s probably something. And, as Fenris has recently pointed out to me, running from hard topics doesn’t make them any easier later.”
“How wise of him.” She slid the extra mug she had waiting on the counter toward me.
I joined her and took a polite sip of the rich hot chocolate she’d made me.
“It’s about yesterday morning,” she said. “The way you commanded me to take you to the club was unsettling.”
“I’m so sorry. You’re absolutely right. I can’t believe I shouted at you like that. I was so flustered about Fenris and wasn’t thinking clearly enough to realize how demanding and rude I was being. My father raised me better than that. I swear it won’t happen again.”
She gave me an odd look.
“Yes. Of course. Perhaps next time you can ask.”
“I promise.”
She gave me a weak smile and spontaneously hugged me.
“You have a good heart, Eliana. No matter what the future brings, don’t ever let that change.”
I hugged her in return and promised that I wouldn’t.
“Will Fenris stay over again tonight?” she asked when she released me.
“If it’s okay with you.”
“Of course it is. I noticed some sandwich ingredients were missing when I looked in the refrigerator this morning. I’m assuming those were for him?”
“Yes.”
“Would you like to invite him to dinner?”
“We’ve already made plans to spend time with Megan and Oanen.”
“Then, I’ll make sure to have some things ready for late-night snacking if he should get hungry.”
I thanked her and hurried out the door.
The parking lot was fuller than I would have liked by the time I finally arrived. But the sight of Fenris pacing in the space where I usually parked brought a smile to my face. He waited impatiently for me to turn off the car and opened my door.
“Tell me you packed the grey dress.”
I shook my head at his concern and got out.
“I did.”
“I’m not going to be able to focus today.”
“Since you’re not actually here to learn, that shouldn’t be a problem. Where’s your bag?”
“I ran into some trouble this morning and asked the girls to bring it.”
My vision sharpened at the mention of the girls as a very ugly and irrational jealousy reared its head. I quickly ducked my head and squashed the unnecessary emotion.
“Sorry.”
With a gentle nudge under my chin, Fenris lifted my gaze to his.
