Chapter 2
For the next three weeks, Stella exchanged text messages with Devon, though they were mostly casual ones. He would tell her about the various cities he was playing, sending her photos on the road of himself and Charley, who apparently accompanied him on his tour. There was nothing in the news about them nor were they photographed together, which likely meant they were keeping their relationship under wraps. Stella was honored that he would reveal something so personal to her without even knowing her that well.
Perhaps that was why she had felt comfortable sharing things with him about her daily life, though mostly it was work-related since she didn’t exactly have a social life. She would tell him stories about her students and her love of teaching, and even her frustrations with her job—mostly the demanding administration and even more demanding parents. They had a laugh at their shared affinity for music, though Stella had been exposed to church songs when she sang in the choir that Momma had led. Her voice wasn’t spectacular, but she quickly picked up music theory and piano, along with violin and the flute. It was watching Momma patiently teach songs to the children’s choir that made her want to pursue education.
Devon
Can I tell you a secret?
Stella sat at her desk at work one afternoon, grading some tests, when she got Devon’s text.
Sure.
One sec …
Stella chewed at her lip, waiting for the next message to pop up. This time, another photo came through, but it was of Charley, fast asleep in bed in the background. In the foreground was a black velvet box where a huge diamond ring nestled inside.
You’re also going to be an aunt, by the way.
Stella couldn’t help the squeal that escaped her mouth as she typed her reply.
OMG! That’s wonderful, Devon. happy face emoji> Congratulations.
She hasn’t said yes yet sweatdrop face emoji>.
I’m sure she will.
I’m waiting for the right time to pop the question. I’ve never been so nervous about anything in my life.
Pausing, she thought of what advice her parents would give in this situation.
If you really love her, then anytime is the right time.
You’re right. Thank you.
Stella sighed aloud. It sounded so romantic, and from what she could tell, Devon was truly head over heels in love with Charley.
Would she ever feel that way for anyone?
Or have anyone feel the same about her?
“You’ve been awfully chipper for the last couple of days.”
Panic shot through her at the familiar voice from behind her.
“H-hey, Tyler,” she croaked. She clutched the phone to her chest, praying he hadn’t seen her screen. Though he remained at Crestholm, she’d avoided him since that night of their non-date and hadn’t spoken to him since.
“Hey yourself, stranger.” He raised an eyebrow at her phone. “So … you talking to someone special? Or have you decided to get back on the apps?”
“No,” she said defensively, though she really wanted to tell him it wasn’t any of his business, especially after what happened. Grabbing her papers, she stood up. “If you’ll excuse me, I should get to class.”
She brushed past him, then hurried out of the faculty room. As she walked down the corridor, she glanced back at the screen, where another message waited for her.
I don’t want a public proposal, but I’m planning to have Charley’s family there. I was thinking, it would be nice if you were there.
When I propose, I mean.
So, I can have my family there too.
Stella’s stomach swooped at the word family. It was the first time either of them acknowledged the connection between them. Besides, that’s why they were texting, right? So they could get to know each other.
“Eeep!” she squealed when her phone began to vibrate and the screen flashed Devon’s name. The camera icon in green indicated he wanted a video call. Her heart thudded in her chest, and she practically dove into the nearest empty classroom as she answered the call.
“H-hey,” she breathed, trying to sound casual as Devon’s face appeared on the screen. They’d been exchanging photos for the last couple of days so she wasn’t too alarmed at seeing him on her phone, but the last and only time she’d seen him was during their first meeting.
His blue eyes twinkled as a smile lit up his face. “Sorry, is this a bad time?”
“No, not at all.” She chomped at her bottom lip with her teeth.
“Great. So …” A sheepish expression crossed his face. “I just realized that question was a bit out of left field, and I wanted to see if you were okay. I’m sorry if you feel cornered.”
“I-it’s fine.”
“So, what do you think?”
“Think about?”
“Coming to visit me. In New York, maybe? Didn’t you say you have a break coming up in two weeks?”
“Oh yeah.” She recalled telling him that the fall midterm break was coming up, and she was planning on staying home and doing some baking and reading.
“I’d really love it if you would come up, Stella. Don’t worry about the costs, you can stay with me or I can put you up in a hotel. I can even pay for your ticket.”
“No! I mean … it’s not about the money.”
“Oh.” Disappointment crossed his face. “I understand if you don’t feel comfortable.”
“It’s not … I …” What was stopping her anyway? He was her only living relation—as far as she knew—and why shouldn’t she visit him? When else would she feel comfortable? “I mean, yes, I’d love to.”
“Really?”
“Really. I’d be honored to be there during your proposal.”
And so, two weeks later, she found herself in New York City.
Stella had never been to New York, though of course as a music lover, she’d always dreamed of watching a concert at Carnegie Hall, an opera at Lincoln Center, or a show on Broadway. She’d thought to do it someday, but there was just never a chance. When she was growing up, family vacations were usually road trips or going to the lake. And though she had a full ride in college thanks to scholarships and grants, any extra money she made giving piano lessons or working at the local diner went to her living expenses, so there wasn’t any extra for vacations.
Still, when her parents found out about the trip, they insisted in paying for her expenses, despite her protests. “He’s your brother, but we don’t want you to feel like you owe him,” Papa had said. “If he makes you feel uncomfortable, you can leave anytime.”
Stella was grateful for her parents’ help and insightfulness. Of course, with their modest budget, and New York City being so expensive, they could only afford a two-star hotel in Queens. The MTA app on her phone said it was a forty-five-minute commute from Queens to Harry Owens’s office in Midtown where she agreed to meet Devon and Charley. She used the time to sit quietly, watching the people getting in and out of the subway car at each stop, going about their day. When the car began to fill up with more passengers, she guessed they were getting closer to Manhattan. Sure enough, by the time the voice over the loud speakers announced the Fifty-third Street stop, the car was packed, and she had to squeeze her way out.
As soon as she stepped out of the subway station, she couldn’t help but look up. Sure, Las Vegas had some massive casinos, but they weren’t monolithic like the buildings around her. The skyscrapers stood shoulder to shoulder, and there were so many people around her—tourists, likely as she recalled that this stop was close to Fifth Avenue. According to her map app, she had to cross it in order to reach her destination, so she began to make her way toward the crowds of people. As she glanced up at the street signs to confirm she was headed in the right direction, a cry from behind started her.
“Ashley, no!”
Something small and fast—a toddler—darted out beside her and into the busy avenue. Stella wasn’t sure what happened, but before she knew it, she dashed after the child and scooped her up. The little girl let out a surprised yelp.
“There, there,” she cooed. “You’re fine.”
“Ashley!” A harried young mother stepped out from the sea of people and retrieved the child from Stella’s arms. “Oh my God, thank you so much!”
“You’re—”
A loud horn interrupted her, and when she turned toward the source, saw that an accelerating car was careening toward them. Without a second thought, she lunged forward and pushed the mother and daughter back toward the sidewalk. Unfortunately, in the process, she tripped on the uneven asphalt and found herself sprawled on the street. The car was only a few feet away, but she found herself stuck, frozen in place.
A gust of wind blew by as she braced herself.
The impact never came.
What?
Stella fully expected to be flat as a pancake in the middle of Fifth Avenue, but as far as she could tell, all her limbs were in place and intact. And she wasn’t even on the ground, but fully upright, though she wasn’t standing by herself. She was pressed up against something hard—a wall perhaps—while steel bands wrapped around her tightly.
But it wasn’t wall or steel. For one thing, whatever it was, it was warm.
And breathing.
And alive.
No, she was held up against a broad, muscled chest.
Taking a deep breath, the scent of coffee and peaches tickled her nose.
Wow.
She’d never smelled anything like it before. It filled her senses, lighting up every pleasure center in her brain. Wanting more, she pushed her nose deeper into the firm chest, her knees going weak. She could have sworn she heard the faintest rumble from somewhere.
“Do you have a death wish or something?”
Stella froze mid-sniff.
Oh Lord.
She was standing in the middle of the sidewalk, molesting a stranger. Her head darted up as she stared into a handsome face currently drawn into a severe expression. A pair of gorgeous bright green eyes glared down at her.
Large hands gripped her upper arms as he pried her away from him. “What the hell did you think you were doing?”
She snapped out of her daze. “That child could have been hit by a car or bus!”
“And so could you!”
Placing her hands on her hips, she looked up—and she had to look way up because he was huge—and glowered at him. “I wasn’t just going to stand by and do nothing. Besides, I’m fine, aren’t I?”
“Because of me,” he pointed out, then muttered something inaudible under his breath.
“What was that?” She didn’t care how hot he was, not when he was acting so ill-mannered. Were all New Yorkers truly so rude?
“Nothing.” He waved a hand at her dismissively.
“Why, I?—”
“Miss, thank you!”
A figure darted around the behemoth, then caught Stella in a hug. “Thank you for saving my Ashley.”
“Er, you’re welcome.” She disentangled herself from the woman’s embrace. “I’m just glad she’s okay.” She was about to turn back to her giant savior, but when she glanced behind the woman, he was no longer there.
Where did he go?
There was no sign of him anywhere, like he’d just disappeared into thin air.
In fact, now that she thought about it, she didn’t even see him approach her to pick her up off the ground or recall how she’d wound up on the sidewalk and in his arms.
“Miss? Are you okay?” the woman asked.
“Yeah, I’m—late!” She was supposed to meet Devon at two thirty and it was already two thirty-five. “Sorry, I uh, gotta go!” Clutching her purse to herself, she waved at the woman. “I’m glad your kid is okay,” she shouted as she dashed across the street.
Her legs were still shaking by the time she made it into what she hoped was the correct office building. The number outside was the right one, but it seemed like any generic office lobby—expansive, modern, and impersonal. Thankfully, she spotted Mr. Owens standing by the reception desk.
“Ms. Lennon, lovely to see you again,” he greeted as he walked toward her.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I was … delayed,” she said. “I didn’t expect you to meet me down here.”
“My client is no ordinary person,” he reminded her. “He’s already here, by the way. Waiting upstairs in one of our VIP suites.” He led her to the elevators. “He needed a bit of extra time, with all the extra security measures, I’m sure you understand.”
Despite having already met him, her nerves were still frazzled. This time, she would be meeting him by herself without her parents at her side. Also, that was a short meeting and they didn’t talk about anything personal. Texting was very different from spending time together face to face. What if it turned out he was a different person once she got to know him better?
Soon, they exited and made their way through the swanky offices of Owens, Greenberg, and Abrams, which was strangely empty and quiet.
“Here we are,” the lawyer announced as they stood outside a set of austere-looking metal double doors. He grabbed a handle and opened it. “He’s inside, waiting.”
As she entered, Stella saw two people standing by the window, who turned around at the same time. She instantly recognized Charley from the photos, with her long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and dressed simply in a white T-shirt and jeans. She smiled at Stella, and her anxiety eased—then she turned to Devon.
“Hello, Stella,” he greeted.
“Hi, Devon.” Lifting her gaze, she looked up into his sky-blue eyes. They stood there, staring at each other for the next few seconds until she spoke the first words that sprang into her mind. “It’s okay if we hug, right?”
His smile grew even wider. “Of course.”
She stepped into his arms as he opened them, and pressed her cheek against his shoulder.
He took in a deep breath. “Your scent is … lavender and sage.”
“My scent?” Pulling back, she craned her neck up at him.
He touched a finger to his nose. “Lycans smell differently from humans, it’s one way you can tell if someone else is one of us,” he explained. “Right, Charley?”
She nodded. “Each of us has a unique scent, though family members share similar notes. For example, you and Devon share the same lavender and sage scent, but Devon’s has a tinge of leather.”
“Oh.” She nodded at his chest. “Can I …”
“Go ahead.”
Closing her eyes, she leaned in and took a sniff. “Oh! Yes. I can smell it. So, I smell something like that?”
He nodded.
“Here,” Charley offered her own wrist. “Try it.”
“It’s …” A curious wave of déjà vu hit her. Maybe her sense of smell wasn’t as developed as theirs or perhaps she’d concussed her head when she fell earlier because she swore she detected a similar peaches and coffee smell on Charley as she did on the stranger who saved her, though the fruity notes were stronger. However, on Charley, it didn’t have the same knee-weakening effect.
Yeah, the near-accident probably messed up her brain or something.
“Oh, yeah.” Perhaps she’d feel better later.
“Sharing scents is an intimate act,” Charley continued. “Only done—oh shit, I don’t mean to ramble. This is supposed to be your time to bond after all.” She tsked. “I shouldn’t have come in the first place, I’m intruding.”
“No, babe,” Devon protested.
“Not at all,” Stella said at the same time, then she chuckled. “Truth be told, I was so nervous coming here.”
“So was I,” Devon admitted, then grinned at Charley. “She’s been assuring me this whole time that you don’t hate me.”
“Hate you?” Stella was taken aback. “I could never hate you.”
“I’m glad.” He cleared his throat. “Um, Henry had his staff prepare us a late lunch slash early dinner. Sorry about the odd time, we didn’t get in until early this morning. Mr. Owens needed time to clear the office so we could sneak in without anyone seeing us.”
“It’s fine, my stomach’s still on Las Vegas time,” she joked. “So, we’re probably just in time for lunch.”
They walked over to the long side table in the corner where trays of food had been laid out, buffet style.
“Wow, there’s enough food for twenty people,” Stella joked.
Charley chuckled and rubbed her belly. “I am eating for two.” She and Devon exchanged warm glances. “You go ahead, Stella, or else I’ll end up finishing everything before you get a chance to eat.”