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“Are you okay?” I asked, pulling her close and looking at her face intently.

“Just exhausted,” she assured me with a small smile, but it didn’t fully reach her eyes.

Something uneasy stirred in my gut, but I pushed it aside. The last thing I wanted was to make her feel bad about not looking her best. She wasn’t feeling well, after all.

“The coffee is an apology. There’s been an emergency at work, and I need to go take care of it. Will you guys be okay today? Take your time and relax. I’ll order lunch for you.”

“Yeah, we can have a lazy day,” she insisted. That tiredness was still dragging her down, though, and there was something else.

Something she wasn’t saying.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I can tell something’s up.” I didn’t want to be a nag, but when you could sense something off with your mate, you asked about it.

“It’s just being sick and stuff. It’s making me mopey, but I’ll be fine. Nothing a coffee and a cinnamon bun can’t fix.”

“Oh, hun.” I pulled her in for another hug. “I understand. Maybe you and Milo can get some fresh air today? And you could always call the shop and see if Marshall could sneak home for lunch. I'm sure he would leap at the chance.”

“Hmm, maybe. I’ll think about it.”

I didn’t want to leave her, especially when she wasn’t feeling her best, but if I didn’t handle the work emergency as soon as possible, it would undoubtedly spiral out of control.

“Noah will be home right after school ends too,” I assured her. “If you need anything, just give any of us a call, okay?”

“I’ll be fine,” she said, giving me a playful eye roll.

I kissed the top of her head. “Enjoy the coffee and cinnamon bun. I’m going to change and get going.”

“Good luck.” Summer smiled tightly and leaned up to kiss my cheek.

I held her eyes for a second, making sure she knew my next words were serious. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise!”

Chapter 48

Summer

Ishould have called the guys to let them know where I was going. I had even taken the car, which I rarely did. When I called Edie to ask if I could come to the B&B for a bit, she was more than receptive. And I couldn’t put into words how much I needed that right now.

“So why the last-minute call?” she asked as I walked into the lobby with Milo, a diaper bag over my shoulder that felt heavier than it should.

Sighing, I shrugged, feeling like everything was wrong. “I just needed a little space. Is that okay?”

Her eyes narrowed. “What have those boys of mine done?”

I shook my head, trying not to scare Milo. “Nothing! I… I’m just not used to a full house, and it’s overwhelming.” That wasn’t exactly true, but it was as close to the truth as I could give her.

“Hmm, all right. I will go against my desire to ask for more, since I can see you need a moment. I’ve got a room all set up for you. Just down here.” Edie swept her arm open, and I got moving again, following as she led the way down the hall.

“Thanks again.” I stood in the doorway, ready to close things up and hide. “I…Yeah.”

“Of course, dear. Whatever you need. I just hope you can figure out whatever’s weighing on you.”

“I’ll try.” I shrugged, and Edie left me to it.

I closed the door before settling Milo into the little playpen she’d set up for him. Then it was to the bed, where I plopped down. After a moment of sitting there, fighting back the tears and trying to gather the courage, I pulled out my phone. It rang a few times before she picked up.

“Hey, Callie, I’m sorry to bother you. Can we talk?”

“I have plenty of time for you, Summer!” she replied brightly. It had been a while since I’d spoken to her. Our regular updates had become less and less frequent as I settled in with Pack Winters.