Page 63 of Perfectly Naïve
“These are perfect,” I say, instead of the number of sappy thoughts racing through my mind. My fingers trail over a soft, dark plum dress with wide straps, a scoop neckline, and a skirt that flares out just slightly at the bottom. It looks like it would hit just above my knee. There’s a slight shimmer to the material, and I can’t wait to try it on.
Sawyer drops a kiss on my cheek. “Hurry and change. We shouldn’t be late.”
The guys’ obvious concern for what Nigel and his pack will think fills my chest with pride. Theseare the type of men you take home. Only, my home has nothing to do with my biological parents.
Nigel’s home is a cute, much smaller version of my parents’ mansion. The staff house is so far away from the main home, I don’t worry about running into my parents. They would neverdareto venture onto staff property. The beautiful landscaping has slowly turned brown, the flowers sprinting toward hibernation before winter arrives. My heart clenches at the sight of them.
Theodore and Trevor planted them for Emeline. Throat tight, I try to push the well of sadness down as we head to the front door.
A fresh blanket of leaves crunches underfoot as nerves swim in my belly, but the noise quiets when Emeline wrenches the front door open and beams at me. There’s no trace of anger or betrayal. Only simple happiness. Her graying blonde hair is pulled into an artful messy ponytail that she makes look elegant. Those light green eyes are crystal clear, no traces of dilated pupils or any other sign that I should worry about.
Relief crashes through me. I hadn’t realized how worried I was about the possibility of her going feral.
“Olivia!” She tugs me into her arms, wrapping me in a warm hug that’s always soothed the hole in my chest. Emeline’s love comes without conditions or requirements. No expectations. She smells like tangerines and sweetness.
My eyes water. “I missed you,” I confess, voice cracking.
She hums in agreement. “Me too, girl. Me too. Let me get a look at you.” She cups my arms and leans back, studying my face, sweeping her gaze down my body. “As gorgeous as I remember.”
I smile and a tear slips free.
Emeline tuts. “Tears? Why the tears?”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t make it back for the funeral.” I apologized to Nigel, but I owe them all this apology. I should have made the time.
Her smile falters, but she quickly recovers. “Don’t worry about that,” she tells me, squeezing my arms. “You were halfway across the world. Trevor wouldn’t have approved of you abandoning your work for a silly funeral.”
I want to protest that it wasn’t silly, but her gaze skips to the men behind me.
“My, my. Who are these handsome fellows?” She grins at me, insisting on an introduction. Course correcting me. She doesn’t want to talk about Trevor.
Sniffing, I bat away a stray tear and clear my throat. “Emeline, this is Pack Flynn.”
The guys introduce themselves one by one, shaking her hand, and with each introduction, Emeline’s gaze shimmers with approval.
“Honey, should we let them in before they catch a cold?” Theodore’s hands fall to her shoulders. His long brown hair is pulled back, and his signature button-up bowling-style shirt has martini glasses all over it. There are more lines on his face than I remember, and they have me choking up again. “Well, hello there, Ms. Olivia.”
The familiar nickname tugs at my heartstrings. I left home, and suddenly the people I care about most have started to show their age. Life expectancies and health conditions to worry about threaten to clog my thoughts, but I force those and my sorrow back. I don’t want this visit to be depressing.
I’m truly happy to see them.
Emeline and Theodore let us in, and as soon as the door is closed, Theodore tugs me into a warm embrace. His hugs rival Nigel’s. They’re steady. Comforting. More than I can say for my own family’s.Trevor’s were great too.
“Where’s Nigel?” I ask, fighting through the ache of grief in my throat.
“Cooking up a storm.” Emeline tips her head toward the kitchen. Their home is older, each room still separated rather than open concept. Unlike the main property, they haven’t had the funds to renovate. Really, that should fall to my parents, but I doubt the thought has ever crossed my mother’s mind. “Shall we head in?”
“Is it safe?” I tease.
She smiles. “There’s only one way to find out!”
Nigel glances up from the stove when we walk in, grinning at his omega before giving me a soft smile. “Perfect timing, the food is ready.”
“Great. I’ll help get the table set.” Emeline joins me at the cupboard, handing me a stack of plates that are immediately taken by Hayes. She chuckles and hands me the salad bowls, but Wilder grabs those. “Hey!”
“Shh. Let it happen,” he whispers, kissing my temple.
Emeline watches him leave and sighs. “I remember falling in love.”
