Page 51 of Breathe Again

She gave a big, hearty laugh. “Comedian. That’s what you are. Now what can I get you, handsome?”

I looked over the menu deciding on steaks. “Two sixteen ounce rib eye dinners.” I wasn’t sure what Elizabeth would want for sides, so I decided to pick four different ones and give her a choice. “Macaroni and cheese and a cup of chili for one. Broccoli and mashed potatoes for the other. Toss in an apple pie if you still have it.”

She paused after writing my order, then turned and gave it to the kitchen. She returned with hands on her hips. “So rumors are true then. Cole Anderson is officially off the market?”

I grinned broadly. “Yes, ma’am, I am.”

“I’ve heard a lot of speculation on who it is. They say you haven’t really been out much, but then newly mated males rarely are.” She waggled her eyebrows at me in a knowing way. “Some are saying you went all mate-like on Lizzy Collier a few days back.”

Days? I was shocked to realize it was true. Not even a week had passed, yet it felt like a lifetime. I struggled to remember the emptiness and pain of life without her. How did a decade of your life suddenly change like that?

She was distracted when more customers arrived, and by the time Millie got back to me my food was ready. I never did confirm or deny her insinuations, just thanked her and paid before turning to leave for the short walk home.

“Cole? Is that you?” Elizabeth yelled when I walked in the door.

“I’m here, sweetheart. You hungry?”

“Starved,” she admitted as she walked out of the bedroom still stark naked. My heart flipped over in my chest and I instantly grew hard again. Would it always be this way? I couldn’t seem to get enough of my mate, and I wasn’t sure the site of her body would ever become mundane for me. She was so beautiful, and I loved the warmth that flowed through my veins each time I remembered that she was mine.

“Where’d you go?” she asked as I set out the food and gathered the plates and silverware for us to eat.

“Returned the truck and stopped by the Tavern to pick up dinner. Wasn’t sure what sides you’d want, so I grabbed a variety. Hopefully there’s something in there you’ll eat.”

Elizabeth laughed. “There’s little there I won’t eat. The chili is my favorite,” she confessed.

“Good, then I chose well,” I said, pulling out the steaming container and presenting it to her.

There was a peace between us as we sat and ate, and a comfortable intimacy as we stood side by side at the kitchen sink cleaning up afterwards. Since we’d both taken a long nap, we weren’t tired and decided to just hang out and watch a movie. It was such a normal evening, really the first we’d had, and it gave my wolf and me comfort, simply being with our mate.

“What are you grinning about?” she asked, nudging me in the side with her elbow.

“I’m just happy,” I told her. “I still can’t believe that this is my life now.” I waited for the haunting memories to overwhelm me, but they didn’t come. I kissed the top of her head.

A short time later she began yawning, so we headed back to bed, only to fall asleep right away for once.

Morning came quickly. I had to be up early and headed to the Alpha House, but not before leaving a note for Elizabeth by the coffee pot. I knew it was a sappy move, and I never dreamed I’d bethatguy, but pleasing her and keeping her happy seemed to quickly become my life’s obsession. I knew a little love note would brighten the start of her day.

When I pulled up to the house, Liam was out front tossing a ball around with Oscar. I jumped out and fluffed the kid’s hair before snatching the ball and tossing it back to his dad.

“Hey, you can’t do that,” Oscar protested.

“You’re awfully chipper this morning,” Liam complained.

“And you aren’t. What’s up? Something happen I should be aware of?” My senses immediately went on full alert.

“Sara screamed all night long. No one slept,” Oscar grumbled.

“Still teething?” I asked.

“Yeah, Maddie thinks that was the worst of it. Who knew a baby could be that loud? I don’t remember her acting like this when her front teeth came in, but for some reason, these molars are giving her a fit,” Liam explained.

“Poor kid. How’s Madelyn holding up?” I asked, just making pleasant conversation.

“Are you kidding? She’s super mom and the only one not ready to stuff a cloth in Sara’s mouth to muffle her screams,” Oscar said. Liam laughed, but didn’t disagree.

Madelyn was a great mom, so it didn’t surprise me. I let my mind wander to think of Elizabeth with a child. My child. Would she have as much patience? I shook my head. Probably not, but no doubt we’d love that kid to pieces and make it work anyway. It was a surreal feeling to think a fairytale like that could come true for me.

“Thomas dropped off the SUV for you. You sure you don’t want me to ride to the airport with you?” Liam asked.

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