“It was.”
The aroma of charbroiled burgers floated through the open windows and into the cabin. I had the ceiling fan on in the living room, but it only seemed to circulate the humid air. I sipped from my lemonade, trying not to think about how hot I was, and glanced around. Nash’s brothers and their significant others had all crammed into Gran’s tiny cabin with us. There wasn’t much elbow room, but I found that I didn’t mind, and neither did my bear. She enjoyed the close proximity of everyone. It made her feel good to be part of a group again—a part of the clan. I hadn’t realized how much both of us had missed this.
“All right, two more bites, and then I should get going,” Karen said, glancing at her watch. She had showered and changed into a pair of athletic shorts, a tank top, and sneakers. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a bun, and she was absolutely clueless that she was surrounded by bear shifters. I was glad. Not because I didn’t trust her, but because I liked who she was without knowing. “I’d like to beat all the afternoon traffic if I can. Plus, I’m exhausted. I haven’t spent this much time outdoors in years.”
Rafe placed a hand over his heart and pretended her words hurt him. “I practically live outdoors. I don’t know how you survive in that concrete jungle of a city.”
Karen shifted to look at him, a small smirk twisting her lips. She shrugged her shoulder. “I don’t know. It’s just what I’ve always known. I grew up there. City life—the hustle and bustle, the daily grind—it’s what I live for. Coffee in hand.” She shifted her attention to me, eyes wide. “Speaking of, think I could get a cup to-go?”
I wrinkled my nose. “After eating a burger?”
“Caffeine is life.” She winked.
“Sure.” I motioned to the machine in the kitchen. “Feel free to make yourself a cup.”
“Okay, I should get back to work,” Liam insisted before pecking Tris on the lips. He eyed his brothers next. “We all should. It was nice having lunch together, though. I think this is something we should do more often.”
Everyone seemed to agree as they dumped their trash and then filed out of the cabin after saying goodbye.
“You didn’t eat much,” I said to Gran as I moved to take her plate. She hadn’t eaten much all day.
“I wasn’t hungry. I’m just tired,” she said, her voice sounding so low and soft it almost didn’t sound like her own. “I think I’m gonna go lie down and take a nap.”
“Do you need any help?” I asked, feeling worry prickle along my spine. She didn’t look too good.
She shook her head. “I’ll be fine. You enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” She patted Karen’s shoulder in passing. “Have a safe trip home. I’m glad you were able to visit. It was nice seeing you again.”
Karen pulled her into a hug. “Thank you. It was nice seeing you again too,” she insisted. Her lips clamped together afterward, and I knew it was because she didn’t know what else to say. It wasn’t as though she couldn’t say to take care or I’ll see you soon. Gran was dying. “Get some rest.”
After Gran disappeared down the hall to her room, Karen went to the kitchen to make her coffee. I could tell from the tightness of her shoulders she wasn’t okay and followed to pull her in for a hug.
“I’m sorry, I just didn’t know what to say,” she admitted. “I didn’t know how to say goodbye.”
Tears filled my eyes when she looked at me and I saw hers. “What you said was perfect. She needs to rest, and I’m sure she knows what you meant.”
“If you need anything—anything at all—please don’t hesitate to call me, okay? I’ll be here in a flash to help with whatever I can.”
“I know. Thank you for being such a good friend.” I squeezed her tighter before releasing her, hoping she knew how much I meant what I’d said.
“Why do I feel like this is goodbye?” Karen asked, her brows pinching together. “You’re not coming back to Denton, are you?”
“I will. I mean, I have to.” I tucked a few stray strands of hair behind my ear. “All my stuff is there.”
“But you won’t be staying in Denton because your heart.” She paused and nodded to Nash through the window behind me. He stood on the porch, cleaning the grill. “It’s here with him. With all of them. Isn’t it?”
I licked my lips and nodded. “Yeah, it is. I don’t think it ever left.”
“I’m happy for you.” She squeezed my hand and smiled. “And, I mean it. If you need anything, just let me know. I’m a phone call away.”
After she’d made herself a cup of coffee for the road and gathered her things, I walked her to her car. Once we’d said goodbye and she pulled away, I moved to stand on the porch next to Nash.
“What now?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I guess I’ll clean up the kitchen for Gran. After that, I don’t know.”
“No, I mean what’s your next move? After, I mean?” His voice was low and uncertain, but his eyes weren’t. They never wavered from mine.
I swallowed hard, knowing what he was asking. “I think I’ll probably move back.”
He flashed me a crooked grin, the one I’d always adored. “I think that’s a good idea. In fact, it was what I was hoping you’d say.” He set the scraper he’d been using in the grill down and wiped his hands on his shorts before erasing the little bit of space between us and crushing his lips to mine.
Time crept away as his mouth explored mine. Electricity sparked beneath my skin everywhere he touched. It was a sensation I’d missed more than I knew.
I wanted him. I wanted all of him. And so did my bear.
“Not here. Not on the porch
