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She pulled back. “Are you, though? Like for real?”
I pressed my lips together. “We got wine?”
She nodded and swished across to the kitchen, returning with a bottle and two glasses. “Sit down.”
The soft fabric and the warmth of her presence instantly began to soothe my frayed nerves.
We sat beside each other as she poured each of us a large glass of merlot. Then she tapped her glass against mine, took a swig and met my eye. “Now spill.”
I let myself relax completely, absorbing the comfort and familiarity of our friendship.
I smiled at her, my chest warming with love for my best friend. She was the only person in the entire world who had ever loved me the way I wanted to be loved—with care and concern, but also trust, faith, and respect. She never tried to tell me what to do or judge me, but she didn’t shy away from telling me when she was worried about my choices. “I missed you so much.”
“Same, girl and all I could do was pace the floor and wait for you.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I forgive you. Now spill.”
We spent the evening drinking our wine, ordering Chinese food and talking about the surreal mess my life had become. As we settled in, the tension of the past weeks started to ebb away, replaced by the comforting normalcy of our home.
In the back of my mind, I knew that if I was eventually going to stay with Maverick and the guys, Addie would have to come, too. I was never going to leave her behind. No one believed in me like she did, and I couldn’t continue to believe in myself without her constant support.
But for a while, at least, I could pretend everything was alright, wrapped in the warmth of friendship and the simple joys of home.
Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Seraphim’s Burden
Maverick
When I finally wokeagain, I wasted no time downing my glass of water, then phased straight to her front door, not caring if anyone noticed.
She swung the door open and stared, jaw agape like she couldn’t believe I’d show up here like this. I waited for her to question me, but she didn’t; she just stared. And I grew antsy with the anticipation of getting through this round of discussion, because I now realized she had been a young mortal until recently.
She would need a lot of time and attention.
“How could you leave me?”
She stuttered, as if offended I could suggest such a treasonous thing. “How could you betray me?”
I shook my head, pushing in past her and closing the door. “I’ve only ever tried to honor you.”
She swung around, her hands on her hips in defiance. “Honor me? By claiming me against my will? What a joke.”
“I’m sorry.” I sat down in a plush chair by the window, never taking my eyes off hers.
She strode toward me a couple steps, and my heart sped up. I imagined her surprising me by straddling me in my lap, taking my face in her hands and kissing me, saying she forgave me.
Instead, she stood six feet away, staring down at me, her arms crossed defensively. “You’re not sorry.”
I held my hands open. “I’m sorry you’re so angry about it. I’ll spend eternity making it up to you.”
Her pupils dilated, and then she turned away. “No thanks.”
I tapped my fingers on the armrests. “How do you fight it? It drives me insane to not be with you.”
She backed up until she plopped down onto the couch, jaw pulsing again. “It’s easy, Maverick. I’ve spent my entire life never getting what I want. I’m used to it.”
I sat forward, begging her to listen to me. Every time I stood before her, I ached so hard that I couldn’t wait for her forgiveness. It was an endless torture. She had to feel it, too. It was her choice not to give in, and it blew my mind she could. “But you don’t have to do that anymore. I’ll give you anything you want. Everything, Tess.”
