Page 27 of Fragile Heart

Faedra sits on the sofa in her living room, the midday sun casting her in literal perfect lighting. It has her green eyes sparkling and her freckles popping against her fair skin. There’s the low din of voices from somewhere near her. The twins must be doing something just out of frame.

“Sure,” I say. I hold a hand out to Melissa. “This is my friend Melissa.”

Faedra smiles as Melissa and her exchange the typical small talk greeting. After a moment, she focuses on me again.

“We were curious if you wanted to join us when we head out there in a couple weeks. I’m not entirely sure of our timeline since Carter and Jude have been planning it. But I know that we have some down time on either side of our route.”

Melissa says, “Oh, I’d love to meet you all in person! And so would Emily.”

Faedra laughs. And then she’s laughing harder as the twins rush into the frame, climbing onto the couch before she can decide if she wants the call to include them. Rose stares at me while Iris giggles and waves.

“Are you coming camping, Aunt Bri?” Rose asks in her bright, clear voice.

“I’m not sure yet. Your mom and I were just starting to talk about it.”

Iris climbs into Faedra’s lap and grabs her cheeks, forcing her to look at the little girl. Faedra laughs even as she pulls her daughter’s hands away from her face. “Please, please, please, Momma. Please, can she come with us?”

Logan sighs and drops onto the couch beside Faedra, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her into his side. The move is so smooth, the girls don’t even notice that they’ve been effectively pushed off their mother’s lap.

“Not on the big hike, sweetie,” he says. Iris pouts. Rose sighs exactly how Jude always does. He runs his thumb over Iris’s cheek. “But I’m sure we’ll find other ways to spend time with her. Let Momma and me figure out the details while Dahlia is sleeping. How about you girls go play with your space set?”

Both girls nod before running out of the frame again, disappearing just as quickly as they showed up. Melissa laughs.

“Aunt?” she asks.

I shrug, not really sure how to explain just how close I am to my boss’s family.Formerboss’s family.

“Brielle and Faedra have been friends ever since they met at the Christmas party of Carter’s company before the twins were born,” Logan says amiably.

Melissa’s eyebrows furrow. Faedra clears her throat.

“Carter is one of my other partners. Brielle worked for his company.”

“Oh, that’s so cool!” Melissa gushes.

“So what do you think, Bri?” Faedra asks after the clatter of the girls dies down. “We were thinking maybe more traditional camping? There’s a couple spots the guys know about along the edge of the Tetons.”

Melissa nods. “Oh yeah! Phelps Lake, right? Or maybe Jenny Lake? It’s so pretty up there.”

The desire to hang out with my friend, to be surrounded by her family, is so strong I can practically taste it.

“If it won’t interrupt your backpacking plans, I’d love to,” I admit.

Logan’s quick to assure me it won’t. As he’s typing something into his phone, Melissa clears her throat.

“Not to be the awkward third wheel here,” she says. “Well, fourth wheel, technically. Actually, you’re an Omega, right, Faedra? So it’s probably more than just the four of us.” She shakes her head and nudges her glasses up her nose. “Anyway, getting distracted. Do you think there’d be space for a couple more people to tag along?”

Faedra looks at Logan who nods before saying, “Definitely.”

Melissa blushes. “Sorry, not to invite myself or anything.”

I grab her hand and squeeze it.

“Having an Omega crash one of these is not unheard of,” Faedra says, humor weaving through her voice. Her cheeks flush a dark red, and Logan kisses her shoulder. It must be an inside joke. Knowing them, I don’t really want to know.

“Will you send me a list of everything I’ll need? I’ve never camped before,” I say. Faedra nods, and Melissa squeals.

“Oh my gosh, this is going to be so much fun. Thank you for letting me tag along!”

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