"Well, hello to you too.”
She froze.
Slowly, Paige turned. Her heart jumped into her throat at that voice. She didn't dare blink as he came into view. A broad chest, wide shoulders, and the familiar scent of Tristan swirled in the air.
Down, girl.
Her wolf was ready to lie down for a belly rub.
If she blinked he'd disappear, right?
His skin seemed darker, more tanned, he hadn't shaved or maybe he was going for the scruffy look. And those dark chocolate eyes.
"No," escaped her lips before she could stop it.
He stood there, confused.
"No?"
She said it again. "No."
Wait. Why? Why did she say it at all? She said it because she couldn't do this again. He wasn't supposed to be here.
His too-perfect lips slowly spread into a smile.
"Okay. But, I didn't ask you anything yet." Tristan said.
Paige could physically feel her neck burning and then her face. Great. Now she was probably the color of the aisle she despised.
Swallow me up right now, earth. Do it.
Why was he here?
"How have you been?" he asked.
She blinked. Tristan was talking. She could see his lips moving. But the electric buzz of anger had her wolf trying to come out and fight the man who broke, no, shattered her heart.
"I. Good." Well, heck. It's like she couldn't remember how to speak now. Great. Way to make him really know what he missed out on. She cleared her throat and tried it all over.
"I am good. You?"
There, that was normal enough.
"Good," Tristan said.
"That's good." What does one say to the love of your life after two years of nothing? No word. No letter. Nothing. It's like he'd died and was now returning from the grave. What could she say that could express the pain and hurt?
"I'm back," he said.
Her eyes flew wide.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious." Oh, good. There was the anger.
"Yeah. Sorry,” he said, hooking his thumbs in his jean pockets. She couldn't help it, her eyes drawn to look at what those hands framed. Damn it, if she didn't just gawk and then wonder at the bulge beneath his jeans.
Nodding, she tried to swallow. Oh God. She couldn't remember how to swallow. Stopping, she tried again. Maybe her throat was swelling shut. Maybe she was allergic to something. Maybe she was allergic to love and romance. Finally, after another attempt she got her spit to go down.
Awkward silence filled the space.
Paige looked him up and down, noticing what was in his hands. Diapers and a couple of toys.
All the air had disappeared as she tried to take her next breath. Paige reached up to her chest. This is what a heart attack felt like, right? She was dying? Maybe this was her life flashing before her eyes.
Pathetic, stuck on the outside of the valentines aisle, lonely.
Everything slowed down as Tristan lunged forward.
A whoosh of air filled her lungs and her legs suddenly forgot how to stand. Before she met the unforgiving floor, Tristan's arms wrapped around her.
"Paige? Paige, are you okay?"
Focus. Focus, Paige.
The fuzzy disconnected sounds of the present slowly cleared as she realized how stupid she looked.
"I. Yeah. Sorry. Must be low blood sugar."
He nodded, but didn't let her go. Paige probably imagined it, but she thought maybe he'd just tightened his grip around her. With whatever strength she had, Paige attempted to wiggle free, but he didn't let go.
Tristan's face hovered far too close to her own.
"I don't know, Paige. That isn't normal. We can head to the pack doctor? Have him check you out."
Blinking back whatever emotions she still had, Paige ignored him. She knew what was wrong. He'd moved on and had a baby. What had she been pining over?
"Paige? Are you okay?" said a female voice.
Breaking the connection between her and Tristan, she slowly turned her head to see a friend, another blast from the past staring down at her.
"Maddie? You're back too?" Paige asked.
Maddie nodded. "Yeah. But, not for long." Maddie looked to the side, and that's when Paige noticed the massive man next to her. He didn't look overly excited about life, but damn. Maddie had caught herself something hot. Why didn't she have that luck? Instead, Paige was an idiot and had saved herself for this traitorous male.
Paige tried to push him off. He didn't let go.
"Tristan, I'm fine. Let me go."
He studied her and something in his stare made her feel vulnerable.
All she wanted was to feel numb.
"Okay. I'll let you stand up. But I'm not letting go until I know you're okay."
She scowled. "Fine."
Paige righted herself while her wolf panted, whining to be closer to Tristan. Of course she remembered him. She wanted him. Instinct told her wolf that he was who they were meant for. Only, somehow Tristan didn't seem to know the same.
"Oh, how -" Paige broke off as she swallowed back a tear. Okay. She'd be fine. Try again.
"Maddie. Who is, your- well, him. Did you get married?"
Even a witch could find her match. Wolves were supposed to be good at this mating thing. Ha.
"Yeah. Sort of. Kind of. I mean yes," Maddie said.
"Sort of?" Paige asked.
Why was everyone coming back into her life today and bringing with them their happily ever after? This was a stupid day, wasn't it?
Maddie's head bobbed, her eyes focused on the giant man next to her. Happy. Content. That's what that look was.
Paige watched as he took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips. She smiled for him. They were both lost in each other.
Well, hell. This sucked.
4
Tristan couldn't look away from Paige. God, he'd missed the way she'd blushed. The way her cheeks always burned brighter than the rest of her face. He loved how her ears joined in and grew brighter and brighter until she finally tried to hide behind her hands.
Tristan stood there, one arm still wrapped around her waist. He'd tell her whatever the hell he could. Anything to stay in contact.
The gifts for his sister were somewhere on the floor, and right now they could
