Page 32 of Wolves & Watercolors
“I wasn’t thinking anything, just curious. I wouldn’t want to accidentally flirt with a taken man.”
“No.” She sighs and smooths her hands over her belly. “Look, there’s something you need to understand. The men here aren’t like the ones in Los Angeles.”
“No kidding,” I mutter.
“That’s not exactly what I meant.” She hesitates again, and my heart does a flip. What is so difficult to say? With another exhale, she runs her fingers through her hair. “It’s just that they’re very serious. They don’t mess around. Slate wasn’t with anyone else before me, didn’t date, nothing. And as soon as we got involved, he was completely sure I was the one.”
“Aww, that’s sweet,” I say, ignoring the blush creeping up my throat.
“Cedar’s twin, Onyx, is with his first girlfriend too. He ignored all women until her, and then he was all in.”
“But they’re just dating,” I say, unsure of what she means.
“They live together. It’s as permanent as any marriage. Shared finances, the whole deal. Just like Slate and me.”
“Okay, so I’m hearing they don’t do casual.”
“That’s probably the best way to put it. They don’t date until they’ve met the girl they want to commit to,” she rephrases, her cheeks hollowing as she thinks.
It’s clear Cedar is off limits to me. Message received loud and clear. But if she can make me this uncomfortable, I can do the same to her.
“So, are you guys going to put a ring on it, considering you have a kid now?”
Hazel lets out a dry laugh. “We might.”
“He’s an idiot for not doing that already.”
She shrugs, focusing back on her gifts. “It’s not a priority for his family. Once they’re serious, that’s it. No ring required.”
“Mom would be happy if you did, though.”
“Mom can deal with it.”
I can’t help the bark of laughter bursting out of me. I like this new Hazel. Her take-no-shit attitude is way better than the people-pleasing habits she used to have.
“I’m really happy for you, you know that right?”
Her brows furrow for a split second as she regards me. “I appreciate that. I’ve got it pretty good, but I do miss you. We need to see each other more often.”
“Yeah.”
It’s easy to agree. But it took me years to come visit her here, and she doesn’t seem inclined to leave even for a short while. At this point, I can’t imagine her back in the city. I’m the one who needs to change, not for her, but for myself.
Cedar
The feel of Aurora’s hand grabbing mine while she pretended she wasn’t frightened of the chickens clouds my thoughts even after a night of broken sleep. She’s all I thought about as I ran as a wolf through the woods. Even sitting at the kitchen table eating french toast, I’m thinking about the way her body relaxed when I touched her. This girl has her claws in me, and instead of concern, I feel some sort of giddy excitement.
“How was the baby shower, sweetheart?” My mother sits across from me and blows away the steam wafting off her mug. From the creamy, dark color, I suspect it’s half coffee, half hot cocoa, her favorite.
“Nice,” I answer without thinking. Angling my fork, I cut another bite and stack up strawberry and then french toast followed by another strawberry.
“Yeah?” She takes a sip, her eyebrows rising as she peers at me over her drink.
“They had some games. Onyx was last place in a diapering race. And Marigold made me play twister with a balloon under my shirt like a pregnant belly.”
“I’m sorry I missed that.” She laughs, the light sound filling the kitchen. “How is Hazel doing?”
I was so distracted by Aurora, I almost forgot to check on Hazel. Luckily, I remembered my duties. “Good, I think. She looked better yesterday.”
