thirty minutes. Mary and Gregory arrived not long after.
“Winifred, it’s been too long,” Mary said in greeting as she got out of the car.
While they hugged, I stared at my phone. Michelle was almost to the theater.
“Where’s your Mate, Emmitt?” Mary asked.
I tore my gaze from the phone. Mary looked just about the same as the last time I saw her. The same straight, nut-brown hair and dark brown eyes. Gregory kept close to her, as a Mate should. His hazel eyes noted every detail of the house. Dad would be getting a thorough report when they returned.
“This unexpected visit sent her running.”
She nodded slowly. “Your mother was worried that might happen. But, she knew you wouldn’t let her get far.”
My family frustrated the hell out of me. They assumed I would drag Michelle back by the hair if she took off. Only, that would be acting too closely like Blake.
Not having anything nice to say, I turned around and went inside. Mary was undeterred by my attitude.
“Does that mean you’re letting her roam for a little while before picking up her scent trail?”
Jim answered for me.
“He’s keeping tabs on her with his phone. While he does that, let me show you the place.”
They followed Jim out of his apartment and upstairs while I sat on his couch and stared at the phone’s screen. Michelle had stopped moving. Hopefully that meant they were starting their movie and would be home in a few hours. I checked the time. Hadn’t I just said I was done with waiting? And, here I was again. Waiting.
“Hey, Emmitt,” Paul said, coming into Jim’s apartment. Henry was right behind him.
“Hey, guys. Any news from the Compound?”
“Probably nothing you haven’t already heard,” Henry said as they made themselves comfortable.
“Gabby’s running from her potential Mate and probably won’t be back to the Compound ever,” Paul said.
“The Forlorn who were there for the Introduction to end all Introductions are still hanging around, driving Aunt Charlene nuts,” Henry said.
“And stopping us from doing anything fun,” Paul added.
“We know the timing sucks, but we’re glad we’re here. I can’t wait until this place is ready. I really hope they’ll send us down here to live.”
I doubted Henry knew how his words affected me. Here was a family very tired of the overcrowding, and a reason to finish the apartments.
“Oh, and Jim said we could use his guest room since you never used it anyway. Mom and Dad will be using your apartment. I think Mom wants to be close to your girl.”
And just like that, my guilt evaporated. I looked at the time again. I hated waiting.
* * * *
The sound of Michelle’s truck on the road heralded her return. Conversation in Winifred’s apartment quieted.
Please just let me talk to her first, I sent to Winifred.
I stepped out onto the porch just as the truck bounced down the driveway. Liam and Aden were grinning in their seats and waved when they saw me. Michelle kept her attention on parking. Even after the engine was off, she wouldn’t look up at me. She got out and walked around to get the boys. I crossed the distance between us and waited.
Liam and Aden said hi as they ran past me into the house.
Michelle closed their door and slowly turned to meet my gaze. Suspicion and fear filled her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” she asked after a moment.
Winifred chose that moment to come outside with Mary and Gregory. Frustration curled in my gut.
“Mary and Gregory were planning on staying the night,” I said, trying to keep what I felt from my words. “Can I sleep on your couch?”
I didn’t need to sleep on her couch. Jim’s was open. So was Winifred’s. I just needed to be close to Michelle.
Thankfully, she nodded. I held out my hand, and she clasped it without hesitation. Without much choice, I led her to the porch.
“Michelle, this is Mary and her husband Gregory.”
“Nice to meet you,” Michelle said neutrally.
“I doubt it,” Mary said with humor. “But, I don’t blame you. We’re the long distance version of nosy neighbors. Our sons, Paul and Henry, are inside with Jim. Your brothers are adorable.”
The adorable duo ran out the door just then, making a beeline for the swing set and calling for Jim as they went.
“Energetic,” she added with a laugh.
“I better go and make them some lunch,” Michelle said.
She tried letting go of my hand, but I wouldn’t let her.