Page 65 of Hers to Call
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Calita stretched and rolled her eyes as she bumped against Simon’s arm. She’d fallen asleep on his chest, but was not surprised to find herself on the other side of the bed, dangling on the narrow patch he’d left her. She’d figured out in the few days she’d stayed at his house that Simon was a wild sleeper. Even now, his massive body was splayed across the bed, nearly taking up the whole thing. She sighed and glanced at the clock. It was a little bit before five, just about the time she normally awoke to bake, so she slid her feet from under the covers and onto the plush carpet covering his floor.
It was time to get back into her routine. The few days at the ranch were already spoiling her. She shuffled from the bed, smiling at Simon’s still sleeping body. He was so peaceful in rest. The energy was still there, but it seemed tame. She took a shower and headed down to the kitchen to make breakfast. Her phone beeped next to her. A good morning text from her father. She smiled. He was up earlier than usual. She bit her lip as she pushed through the dough, debating whether or not to tell them she’d been mated.
What would they say?
When she’d left Chicago, she’d been in a bad way. Barely leaving their house except for therapy. Only a year in this town and she felt like a different person. She was excited, happy about her mating and she wanted them to know. She wiped her hands and took a deep breath and decided to call.
Her mother answered and for a moment she froze. “Hello. Mom, hi.”
“Calita, hi, we were just talking about you. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing well, actually.”
“That’s…” her mother paused. “I’m so happy to hear you say that. Have you been keeping up with your therapy sessions? It’s been a year.”
“Mom,” she cut her off. “I haven’t found a therapist here, but I decided to start looking.”
Her mother let out a relieved breath.
“Mom,” she whispered.
She and her mother had a relationship that was strained on some days, and awkward on the rest. Janet wanted to fix things, and Calita, according to her, liked to wallow.
Calita cleared her throat. “So, I… um, is dad there?”
“Oh, of course, I’m sure you called to talk to him.”
“I…mom, I want to talk to you both.”
Janet breathed and cleared her throat. “Oh. Ok.” The phone went muffled and Janet called for her husband. “I have you on speaker, Calita.”
“Hi, chef,” was her dad’s greeting.
Calita gave a watery laugh. Brian had always sounded so proud of her being a chef.
“I have news.”
“Well, what is it?” Brian prodded.
“I’m mated.”
There was silence on the other end.
“What does that mean?” Janet asked.
“Essentially, I’m married, but to a shifter.”
More quiet.
“What kind of shifter?” Janet asked.
“Simon is a bear shifter.”
“A bear?” Her father sounded startled.
“Does this mean there won’t be a wedding?” Janet asked.
