Page 62 of Healed
The vibration of Tempest’s cell phone had her digging in the recliner beneath her for the phone. “I don’t want to talk to anybody!” she complained while still digging for the phone. But by the time she managed to find it, it had stopped vibrating, which meant the caller had hung up, which was fine for her. Except when she checked the recent call log to see who it was, the call had been from Bailey. “I like Bailey,” she said. Sighing irritably, she hit redial.
Almost immediately Bailey picked up. “Hey!”
“Hey, yourself,” Tempest said.
“How are you feeling?” Bailey asked.
“Huge. Tired. Achy. Ready to have this baby!” Tempest practically growled.
Bailey laughed. “I’m sorry. I’ve heard it can be miserable near the end.”
“So miserable,” Tempest echoed.
“Sorry I haven’t been to visit you. First I was busy because I’m running the place by myself now, and now, honestly, I just don’t want to be a pest. I know you’re uncomfortable and don’t want to add to it,” Bailey explained.
“It’s okay. I understand. It’s as much my fault as yours that I haven’t seen you in the last few weeks. I just can’t make myself get up, get dressed and get down these stairs to go anywhere.”
“It’s fine. I don’t expect you to. Besides, if I’m being totally honest, I really didn’t want to run into Remi, either.”
“Yeah, he’s pleasant to be around lately,” Tempest said.
“Shaun told me he’s been removed from the clan.”
“Hopefully it’s just temporary. Brandt is upset about it, but when you become combative to your Alpha, and argumentative to anybody else in the clan, you really can’t expect much more.”
“Sorry. He is definitely not himself lately.”
“Oh? You saw him?”
“I did. He and his fiancée came into the shop.”
“Fiancée?!” Tempest asked.
“Oh, yeah. She wants whatever flavor of wedding cake is the most expensive one. And gold flakes on the cake. And a gold dress, and gold everything.”
“She’s a piece of work, isn’t she?”
“I really don’t know her, but I got the impression she’s very worried about money.”
“What did Remi say?” Tempest asked.
“He only slightly tried to dissuade her, then simply shut up and let her plan whatever she wanted.”
“I am going to have to yank him up, I can see it now,” Tempest said.
“Not until you have the baby. Brandt’s firm about little-to-no magic until the baby is born,” Bailey said.
“I may not have a choice. The girl has already emptied his bank accounts, insulted Brandt, intimidated Abby and her kids, and is just an unpleasant individual all the way around. You know, the kind that comes off as sweet, gentle, live and let live, then takes control of everything and everybody, while alienating her target from all those he knows and loves?”
“Ah, narcissistic. Yep. I do know. I’ve seen that myself, but was afraid it was just a little prejudice on my part because of who her partner is.”
“Oh, no. You were spot on. So am I.”
“I really hate that Remi is struggling through all this. He’s such a good guy, he deserves his mate.”
“I know. I hope he finds his way.”
“You know what I don’t understand?” Bailey asked.
