Page 13 of Frost and Fate
Aria began to argue when Laurie quickly pointed out, “They’ll be at the restaurant, but they won’t be sitting with us. And we’ll be dropping the little ones off at Deanna’s on the way out.”
Aria gave a dramatic eyeroll. “Fine. Let’s go.”
Nova sidled up to Laurie who was now carrying a very happy baby boy. “You have kids?” she asked, surprised.
Laurie laughed. “This is baby Leo, and that cutie”—she squeezed the toddler’s cheeks as he looked back at her over Lance’s shoulder—“is our little Liam.” Leo couldn’t be more than one, and Liam didn’t look to be more than two. Nova continued to look back and forth at the children. They both had bright blond hair but where Liam had Laurie’s blue eyes, Leo had Lance’s toffee gaze.
“I still can’t believe you have kids.” Nova would have never guessed.
“They’re mates, Nova,” Aria said, ahead of them. “That means they’re practically banging every second they get.”
“Aria!” Laurie gasped. Her pale cheeks became ruddy.
“For real, stay out of Lance’s office unless you wanna be scarred for life.”
The redness in Laurie’s face deepened. “That is very inappropriate.”
“But she’s not wrong,” Lance added with a quick wink in Laurie’s direction.
“Lance!” Laurie feigned disapproval but let out a mischievous giggle. Lance’s uptight energy seemed to lighten immensely as he carried Liam. From the outside, Laurie and Lance had an enviable relationship and family. Nova’s stomach tightened as she thought about her own future. When Darren’s honey-fire eyes met hers she realized she had been staring at him as they walked. She quickly looked away as warmth spread through her. A few minutes later they knocked on one of the complex’s apartment doors. A dark-haired woman, who looked to be in her late fifties, opened it excitedly.
“My boys!”
“Grammy!” Liam wiggled until Lance set him down, then he raced toward the woman’s open arms. She gave the toddler a tight squeeze then stood up to face Laurie.
“And how’s my cute little baby?” Leo gurgled happily as he was handed off to his grandma.
“Thanks, Deanna.” Lance ruffled Liam’s hair.
“Not a problem. You guys have fun.”
“Be good for Grammy,” Laurie added, and with that, they left. Nova wondered why Lance was so formal with the woman. He hadn’t called her Mom, but it didn’t make much sense for Deanna to be Laurie’s mother. She assumed Laurie’s parents lived with their coven, plus Laurie wasn’t a wolf. One side of Laurie’s shawl fell past her shoulder, once again revealing the numerous deep scars. There were still many mysteries surrounding Laurie and Lance.
Nova brushed those thoughts aside and shifted her focus toward Darren. As they made their way out of the complex, Nova used the chance to get close to him. He looked extremely sexy in his perfectly fitted jeans and blazer. “What do you think?” she asked, pointing to her ensemble.
“Looks nice,” he said, without even a glance in her direction.Nice? That’s it?
“You look nice, too.” She hoped she had misread his tepid energy toward her.
“You should catch up with Aria.” He nodded in the direction of the rest of the group. Well, she definitely hadn’t misread the situation. Feeling like a total idiot, she walked ahead to stand with the girls. Aria was telling a story that required her to use her arms in an overly dramatic fashion. Nova couldn’t pay attention, all she could think about was Darren and the knot in her stomach. Maybe girls’ night was just what she needed. She could forget all about Darren Ridgewell.
Palermo’s was walking distance from the Ulric complex. It was a lycan-owned business that was often frequented by those who lived next door. As soon as they entered the classic red and white Italian restaurant, an elderly grey-haired man rushed to the front door.
“Vincenzo!” Aria squealed as she embraced him.
“My beautifulprincipessa!” His thick Italian accent made Palermo’s seem even more authentic and magical. “Six?” he asked, addressing the group.
“No!” Aria shouted. “This is a girls’ night! The boys are crashing, put them far away!”
Vincenzo laughed. “You got it,principessa. Follow me.” The girls were seated in a private corner of the restaurant, with the boys diagonal across the dining room. Leah did a sweep of the perimeter and then took her seat. She had chosen to wear a cross-back black jumpsuit that accentuated her long-lean figure. Aria ordered several bottles of wine for the table, though Leah stuck to water. Vincenzo brought out a round of appetizers and garlic bread on the house.
The food was incredible. The wine was even better. Nova devoured a house salad with homemade Italian dressing. After that, she practically inhaled a plate of the most delicious Bolognese she had ever tasted. The night was fun and everyone was starting to loosen up. Aria was the type of friend who constantly refilled everyone’s glasses. On more than one occasion Laurie had to remind her that she and Nova were—mostly—human and could not keep up with her lycan metabolism.
An hour in and the girls were giggling all over themselves. Nova felt happy and relaxed. Even Leah cracked a smile or two. Though she tried to ignore him, Nova had felt Darren’s eyes on her all night. She knew he was watching her closely. She pretended not to notice. But as the alcohol took effect, she couldn’t help but glance over.
He was looking, all right. His honey-fire eyes seemed illuminated in the dim restaurant lighting. She thought about the way his eyes had burned before their kiss, and the heat of his mouth on her lips, her neck...
“Earth to Nova,” Aria said.
