Page 6

The ribbed pants flared at my ankles, and I held up the matching top. My gaze kept drifting to his shirt intermingled with my stuff. I wanted to smell like them. A silent way to claim them. I rolled my lips inside my mouth and between my teeth. I wanted Imogen to smell them on me. I plucked one of Asher’s shirts and pulled it on. The oversized cream-colored, cotton fabric enveloped me.

I ran my fingers through my messy hair, but they stuck in the tangles. That was what I got for sleeping with my hair wet. I patted down the frizz as I headed to the bathroom.

I passed the hairbrush through my tangles, staring at my reflection as my hair increasingly became frizzier. I pumped some serum into my palm and worked it through the long strands, taming the mess. With a shake of my head, the tips of my hair fluttered around my waist. Wavy was the best way todescribe it. Neither curly, nor straight, almost like it wasn’t sure what to be.

I hadn’t felt a need to pretty myself up before. I sighed and leaned on the sink with my head bent forward.

Imogen was really messing with my mind. She’d only been here a short time and I was getting ready like it was armor, but I couldn’t help but feel threatened. They’d been together for years.

I groaned.

Everything would be fine. Asher said so. And the way he and Ren touched me last night, the whispered words—I believed them. Time, just a bit more time and they would be all mine. I straightened with a huff and turned on my heel. I shoved my feet into my slippers near the door and closed it behind me with care. Sunlight spilled into the hallway where it opened to the staircase. I descended, sweeping my gaze over the foyer. There was no sign of blood anywhere. Like that night had never happened. If only itwasa nightmare.

As I entered the hallway leading to the kitchen, the clatter of plates reached me. Once I rounded inside, Maddy stopped what she was doing and hurried to grab my hands. I blinked up at her worried face.

“I heard about her showing up.”

My lip twisted.

“From who?”

“Tobias, when he called me to deliver blood,” she whispered. “He seems all high strung about it.”

“Oh.” That was all I could come up with. She studied me, but I worked to make my face blank.

“You’re not okay.”

I tugged my hands until she let go. Going around her, I sank onto the island stool.

“That’s an understatement.” I sighed, clasping my hands on the smooth surface. Maddy leaned forward with the island digging into her stomach.

“Do you think they’ll act different around you?” Maddy murmured. My stomach clenched into a tight ball. They’d been different already, but all I offered her was a shrug. What else could I say? They were tiptoeing around her feelings, and completely disregarding mine? That I was a shit person because she’d obviously been held captive and hurt yet I still wanted to pitch a fit?

I groaned and dropped my head back, staring at the bright lights embedded into the ceiling.

“Enough about this ridiculous situation. How’s Sydney?”

“Oh, she’s great! A little upset that I didn’t bring her today, but I want her nowhere near Imogen. My parents are too old, so her aunt from her dad’s side agreed to keep an eye on her for me when I can’t be around.”

“That’s good.” She should keep her away from vampires.

“No choice,” she sighed. “Anyway, are you hungry?” She turned, grabbed something behind her, then slid it across the granite counter. I caught the edge of the plate with my pointer finger.

Chilaquiles. My mouth immediately watered. Tortillas cut in squares coated in a tomato-based sauce and beans on the side.

“I asked . . .” A strange expression crossed her features. “Um, I feel like I asked someone about your favorite foods after you didn’t give me a clear answer, but I can’t remember.” Her lips squeezed together. “Maybe I didn’t ask someone.”

She continued hemming and hawing while I stared at the food, trying not to let my emotions brim over the edge. The only person that could know I loved this breakfast food was Peter. If she didn’t remember him, one of my guys must have compelled her to forget about him. They were always three steps ahead.

I cleared my throat and blinked away the sheen. My parents died when I was too young and to my shame, I didn’t remember much of our time together. Other than this—my favorite meal mom would make. After they passed, my aunt had taken us in. She’d been a good enough guardian, if a bit distant, because she had her own kids. Overall, she provided the basics, which was a roof over our heads and frozen meals.

“I followed the instructions on my notes app, down to every little detail, so hopefully it tastes good.” She reached to hand me a fork.

I wordlessly took it and stabbed it into thechilaquiles, then dipped it in some beans. It smelled just as I remember. I hadn’t cooked this in so long, but Peter still remembered I loved it. I really didn’t give him enough credit. The savory taste spread on my tongue, literally bringing tears to my eyes. Just as I remembered.

The little bits of tortilla crunched with my chewing. I preferred them a little less stiff, but for a first time, Maddy did amazing.

She watched me with her eyebrows raised, waiting.