Page 97 of Awakened
“Hey guys.” Seth’s smile pulled unnaturally at his mouth. The urge to massage his cheeks to relieve the tension was strong.
Brandon grunted and walked away.
“Sorry about him. I should make sure he’s okay. Excuse me.” Emily smiled apologetically and followed after my pissy brother.
And then there were four.
Becca gnawed her bottom lip, twirling the diamond ring on her left hand. When it became apparent that no one would speak, I pulled up my big girl panties and bit the bullet.
“Congratulations on the engagement, guys. It’s so great!” I meant it, really. Seth deserved to be happy, and if Becca did that? Great.
Becca’s teeth released her lip, and she smiled. “Thank you, Celeste. That means a lot coming from you.” A woman waving caught her eye. “Excuse me. I need to talk to my cousin about tomorrow’s picnic.”
“It was good to see you.” I gently squeezed her hand.
Becca scurried away like a rabbit running from a fox. She clearly hadn’t forgotten our last meeting.
Good.
Turning my attention back to Seth, I caught him staring at Zach, who, in turn, was staring at Hope. She stood alone at the doorway, making small gestures to her wrist and then holding up one finger on her right hand and five on her left.
Fifteen minutes until I get answers.
Zach looked at me, his eyes puffy and bloodshot. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to head back to the cabin.” He turned his attention to Seth and held out his hand. “It was good to see you again, man. Congrats on the engagement.”
Seth accepted his hand without hesitation. “Thank you.”
“Do you think you could take Les back to her cabin? I don’t like the idea of her walking around alone.”
Zach must have been on drugs. I wasn’t some delicate debutante who needed an escort.
“Sure thing.”
Zach pecked me on the lips, and then he was gone.
“So, you and Zach?”
“Yup.”
“That’s great. He clearly cares for you.” I searched his eyes for any signs of dishonesty. There weren’t any, but there was a sadness there I hadn’t expected.
“I’m so happy for you and Becca, but that wasn’t Grandma Rose’s ring?”
Seth glanced away, shaking his head. “No, it’s not.”
There was no way in hell I was going to ask why he had not given his mate his grandmother’s beautiful ring. I pinched and pulled my bottom lip, trying to come up with something, anything, to say. As I opened my mouth to speak, Seth laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“Us. This. It’s so awkward. First, this summer camp bullshit, then dinner in cliques. Now we can’t even talk to each other.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “That felt like my first day at Kirksville High. Goddess, I remember walking through the cafeteria and wanting to die. Luckily, Emily had already decided I was going to be her best friend.”
“You looked so cute, all nervous.” He widened his eyes and opened his mouth in awe.
I punched his arm. “Shut up! You try being a sophomore sitting with hot juniors and seniors. It didn’t help that you and Aiden kept flirting with me. I thought I’d never stop blushing.” I bumped his shoulder. “Honestly, it was a little pervy on your part.”
“What can I say? I’m a little pervy.”
