Lance
I told the pack I was bringing Charlie over tonight, and it looks like they went to the effort of looking presentable. Rafe smells freshly showered. Channing has the grill going out on the deck outside the kitchen, flipping burgers.
Sadie’s here with Deke, which instantly puts Charlie at ease. The two women hug and start to chatter away as Sadie unwraps a giant salad she brought. It’s a gourmet one—the kind with spinach and pears and candied pecans. She pulls out a container of gorgonzola cheese and shakes it over the top while she asks Charlie a dozen questions about how she’s feeling.
Deke nudges me with his elbow. “I don’t know if I’m officially supposed to know yet, but congratulations,” he says in a low voice.
A simultaneous ripple of pleasure and ferocious protectiveness ru
