Page 56 of Infinite

My eyes tear. “I hope so.”

“I hope so, too,” she says. “That emotional component that was missing so long ago? It’s not missing any longer. I just hope you and Hale are finally ready for it.”

Chapter Thirteen

Hale

“Y’all want some chicken?” Both dogs wag their tails at me as I stand by the fridge. They say dogs can’t understand much past their names and a few simple commands, but I’ve never met a dog who didn’t perk up at the word chicken.

I reach for the first of three rotisserie chickens Trin left in the fridge. I’m not certain how much that woman thinks I eat, but if the zombie apocalypse hits, I’m throwing the zombies a few of these fuckers.

I shred the chicken with my hands and pop it into two bowls. I look up when I hear Becca yelling from the bedroom. She’s all worked up. I heard her on the phone earlier with Trin. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but I recognized that voice she always gets when she talks to her. It’s a comfortable tone, safe, like when you know you’re in a good place.

It’s not the voice she’s using now. Her phone rang as I was headed into the kitchen. I think it was roughly two point five seconds before the yelling began.

I wash my hands, wondering a little too hard about who has her so riled. I liked her talking to Trin. They must have discussed me and Becks at length. Women do that. It put me in a damn fine mood until the screaming began.

I dry off my hands when my phone rings. “You all right?” Sean asks.

I peer in the direction of the guest suite. “Yeah. Made out with Becca naked.”

“It’s about damn time,” he says. “Later.”

“Later, Sean.”

Yeah. Becca and Trin probably analyzed every last detail of our kiss. What it meant. What it’ll lead to. Me and Sean? I grin. We just got right to it, didn’t we?

“You will not tell me what to do, ever,” Becca shouts. “I don’t belong to you, you little bitch!”

She throws open the door, startling when she sees me watching her. “Oh, hey,” she says, fluffing her hair.

“Problem?” I ask.

She glares at her phone when it buzzes and shuts it off. She clears her throat, walking toward me with her head high and about the best “fuck life” strut I’ve ever seen. “Just taking care of a few things at work.”

“Oh, all right,” I say, not believing one damn word. “You hungry?”

She does a double-take when she sees the cheese plate I created. Brie, goat cheese, parmesan, big circle of Vermont white cheddar, and a multitude of little crackers. Don’t be too impressed. Trin bought it. All I did was transfer it to a cutting board.

“I’m impressed,” she says.

“You should be.” I give her a wink. “I have mad skills, woman.”

She covers her mouth, laughing, but doesn’t quite conceal that blush.

“Let’s go outside. It’s a beautiful day.” I frown when she hesitates. “What’s wrong?”

“I’d like to go outside with you.” She places her phone on the counter. “But I can’t stay. There are a few issues I’m dealing with that require my immediate attention.”

“All right,” I walk toward the terrace, unsure if she’ll follow. She does, which gives me hope, at least a little.

The lovesick puppies hurry behind her. Can’t blame them. I’d do the same.

I take a seat in front of the fire pit, debating whether or not to start a fire. The wind is strong enough to lift Becca’s hair off her shoulders, but the sun is winning the fight in terms of warmth.

“I can’t stay long,” Becca says when she sees me eye the stack of wood.

“So, you said.” I pop a slice of cheddar and a cracker in my mouth, narrowing my eyes when the dogs get a little close to the food. “Don’t even think about it,” I tell them.

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