Page 117 of Seer

“Are you disappointed?” he asked.

I lowered my shirt to stare at him. “What? Why?”

He shrugged, not meeting my eyes. “I figured you woke up and realized you could’ve done a lot better bonding to someone else.”

My eyes filled with tears again. “No, you’re the one who could’ve done better. You’ve had all this shoved on you in less than a week, and now you’re stuck with me.” I gave a harsh laugh. “Literally, since apparently we can’t get more than fifteen feet from each other right now.”

Cal wrapped me in his arms. “I chose you. I chose to be bonded to you.”

I shook my head against his chest, pretending not to notice how soft the hair was. “No one asked your consent. I saw your memory. They asked about me, but no one asked you.”

He kissed the top of my head. “No one had to. I’d do it again, over and over, Greg. I chose you. Ichooseyou. All of you. Your beautiful face, your fucking hot body, your prickly personality, and even your low blood sugar. All of you.”

I leaned my head back to look at his face. “My low blood sugar?” I narrowed my eyes. “Are you trying to blame my feelings onlow blood sugar?”

He shrugged, smiling at me ruefully. “I could be wrong, but last night you lost a shit-ton of blood. Your body went through a lot. Let’s have some breakfast and see if things don’t look a little less dire afterward.”

I stared at him with my mouth hanging open. I’d admit I was pretty hungry. Kind of too hungry, honestly. To the point I was a little nauseated.

Fuck, what if he was right?

“Okay,” I said around the lump in my throat.

Ms. Jackson butted their head against my hip as Cal helped me stand up. He walked with me to the breakfast table and made me sit in a chair.

“How’s your neck feeling?” he asked, putting his fingers on my scruffy chin to tilt my head to the side.

“Doesn’t hurt.”

He nodded. “You might have a scar, but it’s not too noticeable.”

I looked away. “Don’t care.”

“Okay.” He kissed me on the top of the head and went into the kitchen.

I glared down at the kitchen table, grumbling to myself. Head kisses were for children. Was I doomed to get them for the rest of my life?

“Well, it looks like someone ate the rest of the pizza.” Cal tapped the box where it was sitting on the counter. “Ms. Jackson, would you know anything about that?”

Ms. Jackson came to the entryway into the kitchen and flashedD-R-A-G-O-N-I-S-A-L-O-T-O-F-E-N-E-R-G-Y.

Cal nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I should’ve ordered you your own pizza.”

Ms. Jackson sniffed and licked at their paw.

“Uh, there’s some eggs and cheese in here, but not much else. Ms. Jackson, do you want an omelet?”

TheYessparkled on their board.

“Got it.” Cal poked around in the cabinets for pans and whatever else he needed.

He didn’t ask me, so I didn’t offer to help.

He slid a glass of water and a glass of orange juice in front of me. I got another head kiss before he returned to the kitchen.

I scowled at the orange juice, but it didn’t respond so I drank it.

Cal showed Ms. Jackson some English muffins he’d found in my freezer. Jam and butter were placed on the table. He refilled my orange juice and put a small bowl of almonds in front of me. I got another fucking head kiss. I guessed I should get used to them if they made Cal happy. He’d given up a lot for me; I wouldn’t complain about such a small irritation.