Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Belle
“Dinner is ready!” Rhys’s voice echoes through the house.
Percy looks up from his spot at the desk, where he eventually returned after our chair cuddles. We exchange a knowing smile. With Rhys cooking again, I have a feeling that dinner is likely to be just barely over the line of edible, but I’m learning here that perfection isn’t the point.
A good meal doesn’t have to be about the food. Sometimes it’s about the people you share the meal with.
And this pack makes for pretty good company.
“Don’t worry,” Percy whispers when we reach the doorway at the same time, “he’s cooking more often right now to impress you. Knox and I usually do our fair share of cooking, too.”
“I’m not worried. Rhys is an amazing cook,” I manage to say with a straight face somehow.
Percy’s smile widens as he gestures for me to walk out ahead of him. I like knowing we’re in on some secrets together, though I do hope he’ll share with Knox and Rhys soon about his romance editing. I’m confident they’ll be supportive, and I think that will go a long way toward helping Percy heal a childhood wound.
“This is a great idea,” Knox praises Rhys as Percy and I join them in the living area.
I follow Knox’s gaze to the kitchen island, where a full spread salad bar has been set up. The ingredients are all glistening from a good rinse and look so fresh that my mouth waters. I’ve never seen so many veggies in one place before. I have a feeling my diet at home might be lackluster in comparison based on the way the sight of vegetables makes me whimper under my breath.
Percy chuckles. “Let’s get you fed.”
He grabs my hand and tugs me along to join the others around the island. Rhys smiles proudly as he passes out plates, starting with me before handing them out to the guys.
“I’m glad you all are the supportive type.” Rhys wipes a bead of sweat off his forehead with the back of his forearm. “I know everyone prefers a full, home-cooked meal, but since I’m not sure what all Belle likes yet, I thought this might be a safer choice for tonight. Everyone likes salad, right?”
“Not my friend Mia!” I announce with shocking confidence.
All three guys go wide-eyed and stare at me expectantly as if more remembered details will come pouring out of me now like a waterfall. No such luck. I’m not sure where that thought came from or how I even know this Mia .
I do know the name does something funny to my gut. Or maybe that’s the nervous feeling of realizing bits of my memory must be starting to come back and that any minute, that waterfall might start pouring out after all.
What will happen then?
“Sorry, guys.” I shrug and offer my best apologetic smile. “That seems to have been a fluke. I can’t even picture Mia or why she has such disdain for salad.”
“That’s okay,” Rhys is quick to reassure me.
“Yeah, we knew your memory might take its time coming back to us.” Percy rubs comforting circles on my back. “A little at a time is great.”
Even Knox nods along with them, which I take as a good sign since he’s not glaring sullenly at my presence. I worried his fear of me leaving might make him put his guard right back up after we got vulnerable together in his workshop.
“Thanks, guys.” I feel so supported by them. Their pack is so loyal and loving, I feel lucky to be getting a taste.
We take turns making our salad plates. I load mine up with some of everything, stacking my plate comically high. Turns out bonding with alphas works up an appetite. And not even in the fun way ... yet.
The seating arrangement seems to be set, each of us taking the same place we occupied for breakfast. After only a day, we’ve already fallen into a routine, them letting me slide seamlessly into place among them as if I’ve been here all along. I don’t know what memories might still be waiting to be uncovered, but there can’t be anything that would make me want to leave.
I’ve found a happily ever after for myself, so long as they’ll have me once my memory returns and we can all fill in the gaps about the rest of my story.
“I have an announcement before we eat,” Percy says just before I take my first bite of salad.
I freeze and put down my fork on the edge of the plate. Rhys and Knox follow suit, the two of them exchanging a look of concern that I can see from my peripheral vision. The main focus of my attention is Percy. I tilt my head as I study him, his eyes focused on mine like he’s looking for me to give him strength. I nod encouragingly, thinking I know where this might be headed.
I am so fucking proud of him. He’s strong enough to be himself, he only needed the slightest nudge from me to reassure him.
“I’ve been editing for a romance author along with my regular genres.” Percy pauses for a moment until he sees that no one is quick to interject. “I’m enjoying the work. I don’t want to give up any of my fantasy or sci-fi clients, but I might consider taking on a few more romance clients.”
“Cool.” Knox’s face is relaxed, a small smile playing at his lips. “Is that all? Because I’m happy for you, man, but I’m also starving.”
“You should have eaten more at breakfast,” Rhys quips before turning to Percy to tell him earnestly, “I think that’s great. You know I’m a big fan of finding ways to diversify your work, no matter what industry you’re in. Maybe you could write some titles down of the ones you’ve worked on so far so I can pick up a book or two next time I’m in town.”
“You’d read them?” Percy’s jaw goes slack.
“Sure. I’m always looking for something to enjoy before bed, where I don’t feel like I have to research how to pronounce the names or learn an entirely new system of magic. Besides, no one is a bigger fan of happy endings than me.” His smile turns wolfish with the innuendo.
Knox rolls his eyes. “Good one,” he deadpans.
As everyone finally digs into their dinner, a warm feeling bubbles up within me. I think today might have been my version of a perfect day. I’m all warm and fuzzy, the same way I used to feel when I would come home from school to share a snack my mom had made and tell her all about my day.
Another memory.
They seem to be returning faster now. I don’t say anything to the guys for fear of ruining the perfect day. I know they’ll be happy for me to get my memory back, but we’re also all aware of how my memory might change things.
Not everything, though. Nothing could change that these alphas are my alphas.