Page 13 of Secrets and S'mores
“Alright then, starting fresh as allies,” I say, “So do you want to go back to dinner?”
Ember lets out a breathy laugh. “I really don’t. But you should go back.”
“That’s okay. I’m good.”
Her arms fold across her, hands gripping her upper arms. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to throw a tantrum. Slate just got to me.”
My mouth falls open. Is she actually apologizing? There’s a vulnerability in her eyes when she glances up at me shyly. This is a new side to her, a softness.
Hazel’s scent reaches us seconds before she appears through the trees.
“Ember,” she calls, her hurried steps closing the distance between us. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry. That was not how that conversation should have gone.”
“You don’t need to apologize for him,” Ember says, her shoulders rising defensively.
“Slate didn’t mean it like that. You guys really need to have a long talk and sort this out.”
Ember wavers, clearly wanting to decline but respecting Hazel’s rank.
“Look, we were thinking about a campfire tonight. I’d really like it if you joined us. It’ll be a good time to hang out all together.” Hazel tilts her head, brows bunched together in concern.
Ember’s expression hardens. “No, thank you.”
“I’d like to get to know you better, and I promise it’ll be fun. There will be s’mores! Please come?”
She could order Ember to attend and she’d be hard pressed to disobey, but instead, she’s asking kindly.
Ember’s eyebrows rise. “Fine. Where do I go?”
“Everyone else is still finishing dinner, but then we’ll head to Onyx’s, actually. The twins have a great fire pit out back.”
“Alright,” she says begrudgingly.
“Awesome, I’ll see you in a bit. Are you hungry? I can grab you more dinner,” Hazel offers. I don’t miss how Ember tenses, blinking in surprise.
“No, I’m good,” she says, her tone softening.
With a hesitant smile and a nod, Hazel jogs back toward the clearing. She’s broken through a layer of Ember’s armor. Bit by bit, Ember is opening up, and I’m fascinated by the glimpses of what’s under all of her anger.
4 Flaming Marshmallows
Ember
I was hoping the day was over and I could hide away from everyone, but instead, I’m stuck sitting around a campfire staring at my half-brother and his mate, and my one-time-makeout-partner enemy-turned-ally and his less personable twin. Not my idea of a fun evening, despite Hazel’s promises.
She pops open the box of graham crackers in her lap and begins to distribute them in pairs. A square of dark chocolate joins the crackers, and then I’m being handed a wire rod with the biggest marshmallow I’ve ever seen stuck onto the end.
No one bothers to explain so I copy Onyx and thrust my marshmallow into thefire.
“So what do you think Jasper and Marigold are doing over with your mom?” Hazel asks. She rotates her marshmallow over the flames and I mimic the movement. The underside has turned a golden color on the edges.
“Who knows? His old house was given to someone else, so they’re probably staying in the basement you enjoyed so much,” I say. There’s an edge to my words, but I can’t seem to control myself. Anger and embarrassment are still fresh from our confrontation at dinner.
Shrugging, I continue, “So probably waiting around for Sienna to meet with them. And trying to not get beat up by the wolves who hate Jasper’s guts for leaving.”
Onyx’s forehead falls into his open palm, like he’s given up on the conversation. His hair sweeps over his hand and cheeks, shielding him from my stupidity.
“Hopefully it’s going better than that,” Hazel says. There’s a coldness to her tone that I want to flinch away from, but I keep my shoulders back and my chin raised.
