Page 24 of Confusing Hearts

CHASE: I’m waiting.

JENNA: On my way

While waiting, I first set up the heater, and snow around me began to quickly melt away. I laid down a tarp to keep the wet ground from soaking through and covered it with a thick plush blanket. I had another one to cover Jenna if she needed it.

Next, I pulled the food out of the basket. I had kept it simple; I wasn’t exactly gourmet, more meat and potatoes, and I really didn’t know what panthers preferred to eat. I set around trays of sandwiches, hummus and chips, and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Checking the champagne in the cooler bag, I realized it was only cool, so I took it out and wedged it down into the snow, along with two glasses. I stepped back to examine my work and was pleased with the effect. I had wanted to buy her flowers, but didn’t want her to have to explain them to her sisters, so this would have to do.

When I heard movement in the trees, I took a deep breath, scenting the air around me.Mate, a small voice in my head confirmed.

I turned just as Jenna reached the clearing. She stopped short and gasped. I could hear her heartbeat quicken as she looked around, taking in the views and my handiwork.

“When you said a picnic, I didn’t think you really meant it. You really did all of this?” I nodded. “This is incredible,” she whispered.

She squealed as she hugged me and sat down to check out the treats. My wolf and I were more peaceful than I could ever remember. We had pleased our mate and the high it gave me was indescribable.

“I wasn’t sure what you like to eat, but I hope there’s something here that will work. I’ll do better next time.”

“Better? Chase, there’s a heater! We’re literally having a picnic in the snow and not freezing to death.”

I grinned. “I noticed you like thick, warm coats. I assumed you don’t handle the cold as well as my kind.”

She considered it. “I have noticed you’re prone to T-shirts, or at most a sweatshirt. That’s really not fair. Super smelling, super hearing, and a built-in heater?”

She was teasing, and I loved it. It was a new side to my mate I had only seen glimpses of.

“Well, I don’t see as well in the dark, and I can’t climb trees,” I offered.

She laughed as she grabbed a chip and dipped it in the hummus. She sighed contentedly as she ate.

“Do you have enormous appetites too?”

“Yes. Yes we do. Why?”

“Because there’s like a dozen sandwiches here.” She laughed at the massive pile I had stacked on the tray.

“There’s more in the basket, and it’s not because I plan to eat them all, though.” I laughed. “Okay, I will actually eat them all, but it was because I had no clue what you liked, so I just grabbed one of everything they had, and two of my favorites, just in case you chose those.”

I flashed my classic boyish grin and saw her sigh as she stared at my dimples. I had never before been so happy to have those stupid birth defects.

“Meat,” she blurted out. “I eat a lot of meat. I like veggies and other foods more than most of my kind though, so really there isn’t much I won’t eat.”

“Well, we definitely have that in common then.” I didn’t always know why I told her the things that seemed to fall out of my mouth, but once again I found myself oversharing. “My sister, Elise, is borderline vegetarian. I mean she does eat meat, she just really loves vegetables, and I don’t know if your kind ever eats raw, but wolves do sometimes. Not E. She throws up nearly every time. She throws up even if she sees another wolf eating raw. Lily, on the other hand, will eat anything and everything in sight. She’s on the petite side, but dang—don’t ever challenge her to an eating contest. She out eats me and my brothers.”

“She’s another sister?” Jenna asked, sounding genuinely interested.

“Yeah. I’m the baby. There are five of us. Kyle and Elise, and then Liam and Lily are twins. Then me. What about you?”

“Just me and Tessa,” she said. “We may be identical, but we couldn’t be any more different. She’s athletic, the star volleyball player currently. I’m sure you’ve heard all about her.” I watched her flinch. “You’re probably going to be very disappointed to hear I don’t have an athletic bone in my body. Dance was the closest thing I’ve ever been good at when it comes to sports.”

I brushed her hair back, letting my hand run through it and marveling at how silky it felt. “Why would I be disappointed by that?” I asked almost absentmindedly.

She shrugged. “Well, you thought I was Tessa, which means you had to have heard all about her. She tends to be a big deal on campus and loves the spotlight. Popular and fun. Everyone loves Tessa. But that’s not me.”

I looked at her like she was crazy. Did she really think I cared about any of that? “I had a difficult time reconciling the image of Tessa Lockhardt with the Tessa I knew.” I ran a hand through my thick hair. “Now we know why. It was never Tessa I was interested in and I don’t care about any of that.”

“Oh really? Because Anita friended a couple of Thetas, and I have to admit I’m having a hard time reconciling the Chase Westin everyone talks about, with the you I know.”

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