Lilith
When Hope walks through the door of our apartment, I practically jump off Alaric’s lap.
After we were done with Fraser, we returned to Alaric’s place, napped until noon, then changed into our ridiculous matching gray sweatpants and shirts. Ever since, we’ve been hanging out here, waiting for her.
I love Alaric’s apartment, but I’ve missed my friend. My sister.
My hope.
The sight of her smiling and happy strips away some of the guilt from disappearing, from bailing on my shifts.
“Oh my God.” She laughs as I fold her into a tight hug. “It’s only been two days; there’s no way you’ve missed me that much.”
“I totally did.”
She smells of coffee and whatever they served at the cafeteria today, and wow, I’ve missed that too.
“Lil.” Her hands find my shoulders, and she pulls back. Then she slides her eyes to Alaric, then to me, and asks, “Did something happen? Do I need to kill him? Just say the word.”
“What?” Stunned at the question, my eyebrows fly up. “No. Why would you say that?”
“Thank fuck.” A ragged exhale escapes her. “You were too excited to see me. At first, I thought it was just you being you, until I noticed him being so…quiet.”
“Hi, Hope.” Alaric finally walks up to us.
He drapes an arm around my shoulders, his eyes kind and a little soft as he looks at me.
“I didn’t want to get in the way, that’s all.
But.” His attention turns to her, a rare smile breaking across his face.
“If you need some time alone, I’m perfectly fine with leaving. ”
“No, no,” Hope stammers, red tainting her cheeks. “Please, stay. It’s just, I’m really protective of Lil.”
“Fully aware.” His smile widens. “And I respect what you have. If you need space, say it, and I’m gone.”
Both Hope and I melt right then and there. It’s hard to imagine that less than a day ago, I was tied to this man’s bed. That I feared for his sanity. That I passed out when he cut himself.
Thankfully, that’s all in the past now.
All of it but our new scars.
As if on cue, the A on my stomach tingles. It’s a delicious kind of prickle that reminds me of Alaric.
“Wait, you shouldn’t be standing.” Concern flashes on Hope’s face as she slaps a hand over her forehead. “You were sick. Lilith said you woke up better at noon, but you must still need rest. Come on, we can keep talking in the living room.”
Dammit, I forgot how much I hate lying to her. While Alaric’s hand rubbing my shoulder helps, unease keeps churning in my stomach.
“Thank you,” he says as we head to the couch. Our seats are still warm when Alaric and I take them. “I should be good as new tomorrow.”
“That’s great and—” Hope gasps when she realizes a cup of steaming mint tea and a chocolate chip cupcake wait for her on the coffee table. Her favorites. “Lil.” She pulls me into her arms for another hug. “You’re the best.”
“It’s not much.” It truly wasn’t. We stopped at the bakery Alaric deemed the best in the city, at least until Hope opens hers, and grabbed a box of pastries. “Especially since you’ve been so gracious about letting me take care of him.”
In many ways, that’s the truth. I did take care of him. I held strong and showed him my love transcends every hardship life throws our way.
Because I adore him. Because he would do the same for me in a heartbeat.
Hell, without him, I wouldn’t even be here.
“Pfft, it was literally nothing. Besides.” She relaxes back into the couch, cradling the mug between her hands.
“While you’ve been away, I’ve had hours to perfect my recipes and work on my business plan.
I mean, I would never say no to this”—she motions to the cupcake and raises her cup—“but it’s not necessary. I’ve been doing…okay.”
When her cheeks turn crimson red, my eyebrows lower, and I lean forward. “What are you hiding?”
“I…” The breath she blows over the cup is shaky. “I’m going on a date tomorrow.”
Alaric’s hand splays on my back in less than a second. He’s incredibly in tune with me. Right now, he must be picking up on the overprotectiveness that heats my blood and makes my hands ball into fists.
Hope turned eighteen a few months ago. This is the first time she’s been in a big city. I’ll kill anyone who takes advantage of that.
“Who?” The question spits itself out of me.
“He’s safe. More than safe.” Instead of recoiling, Hope has that dreamy look on her face. “He’s a doctor at the hospital. One of the interns.”
“Who?” It’s Alaric’s turn to get all overprotective.
One look at him, and it’s obvious he’s willing to say absolutely not, depending on who that doctor is. Warmth spreads across my chest at that.
If I trust anyone’s judgment of character, it’s his.
“Uh, this is starting to feel kind of…” Hope’s gaze dances between Alaric and me, her eyebrows wagging playfully. “You do realize that just because my birth parents are assholes, I’m not in the market for new ones, right?”
Alaric’s short laugh catches us both by surprise.
Hope’s lips part. “I had no idea he had that feature.”
“I haven’t had a lot of reasons to laugh in a while.” He curls his fingers around my waist, yanking me close until I’m tucked into his side. “Then there was Lilith.”
Flames lick at my cheeks. Awareness and goosebumps flare across my skin.
Calm the fuck down.
“Anyway.” My friend clears her throat. “It’s Isaac Nilson, from neurology. Red hair, blue eyes, about this giant’s height.” She gestures to Alaric.
“I’ve worked cases with him.” Alaric offers me a subtle nod that reassures me that this Isaac person is okay. “He pays attention, doesn’t cut corners. I’ve seen him stay late for consults he didn’t have to take. He’s nice to everyone. I approve.”
“Good. Good.” A weight has been lifted off my chest. When I turn to Hope, I say, “Don’t forget to tell him I’ll cut his balls off if he hurts you.”
At that, all three of us laugh, talk some more, and…
Live.
Without evil parents getting in the way, without secrets or distance keeping us apart, we finally get to just live.