September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)(89)

Screw that. I can have one damn day without that demon ruining my mood.

“Have you spoken with Shaz since the other night at the Kiss?” Ky couldn’t see my face from her position, but she didn’t have to look at me to give me that mother wolf tone.

“He told you about that, huh?” Carefully I applied eyeliner, creating a dramatic, 60s-style, cat-eye point. Now if I could just make the other eye a perfect match, it would be a miracle. “Shaz tells you everything these days, doesn’t he?”

“He always has,” Ky said softly. “He thinks you’re afraid of how things will change between you two after you…you know, become a vampire. Whenever that happens to be.”

“I am afraid because everything will change. Again. It never stops changing. And I can’t be what he wants. You know that, Ky. Shaz and I will never have what you and Coby have.” I saw the shadow of sadness pass through my eyes and had to look away from my reflection for a moment. Crying off my makeup would be a small disaster.

Ky tsked and shook her head, receiving a scolding from Jez. “You’re out of your mind, lady. Seriously. What you and Shaz have has existed since he was a teenager. It still exists now despite all of the Arys stuff. Don’t be so quick to write it off as doomed.”

I suppressed a laugh when she said, “Arys stuff.” Oh if only it could all be so easily summed up.

“How can it not be doomed? I can’t give him the monogamous commitment he deserves. The last year has been nothing but conflict between Arys and Shaz regardless of the few times they actually get along. Besides, none of that even matters now. Once I turn, Shaz and I will be worlds apart.”

Kylarai was swept up in the romance of her big day. She sounded like a lovesick teen when she said, “Everything happens for a reason, Lex. Trust that. It will all work itself out.”

It sounded completely delusional to me, but I knew better than to say so. Instead I said nothing and focused on finishing my eyeliner.

“I still think you should enjoy it all while you can,” Jez piped up. “Maybe if you got naked with Kale again, he’d stop banging everything that moves and find some peace.” My jaw dropped, and I stared at her as if she’d just revealed the Caramilk secret. Kylarai squirmed uncomfortably in her chair and cleared her throat. Jez did a double take when she noticed my expression. “I’m sorry. Should I not have said that? I didn’t think Kale was still a touchy subject for you two.”

“He’s not,” Kylarai patted Jez’s hand. “Not for me anyway. I think it’s Alexa who finds Kale to be a touchy subject. No pun intended.”

There was a moment of silence before the two of them burst into giggles. I groaned and hid behind the hand-held mirror, refusing to continue this conversation.

“He’s a very intense guy,” Jez mused. “I bet he’s a passionate lover.”

I stood up and set my makeup things on the counter. “In order to avoid this discussion, I’m going to the kitchen to get some champagne. Can I get you guys anything?”

“Oh, Alexa, when did you become such a prude?” Jez scoffed. “It’s just a little harmless girl talk.”

“So nothing for you then,” I surmised, retying the belt of my robe before heading for the door.

“Bring me some champagne,” she called after me, joined by Ky’s request for some green tea.

Pausing in the hall outside my bedroom door, I took a deep breath and willed away thoughts of Kale. Whether she knew it or not, Jez had set loose memories I tried desperately to keep caged. It rarely worked.

She wasn’t wrong about Kale. He had made mad passionate love to me in the rain up against the wall of The Wicked Kiss. And I had every detail forged deep into the recesses of my brain.

Before I could remember the way he felt inside me, I rushed down the stairs to fulfill my mission. While waiting for the teakettle to whistle, I gazed outside at the elaborate wedding setup.

Two local wolves were setting up tables with overhead umbrellas for the dinner after the ceremony. The florist was busy at work, decorating each table with a gorgeous centerpiece made up of wildflowers.

The doorbell rang and I called, “Come in.”

When I turned to find Shaz opening the door, I was struck speechless. How many times could I apologize? I’d sent him messages and called. He had ignored every one.

Our eyes met, and he froze. Holding the bag that contained his suit, he seemed to search for words. “I just thought I’d get ready here, if that’s ok.”

“Sure. The main floor bathroom is all yours. The girls have taken over upstairs.”

“Thanks.” Averting his gaze, he headed down the hall to the bathroom.

The teakettle whistled, and I rushed to silence it. After pouring a cup of tea for Kylarai and two glasses of champagne, I put it all on a tray and carefully made my way back upstairs.

I couldn’t help but feel like I should have said more to him. Pushing the issue today of all days might not be the best choice, so I let it go and returned to my bedroom.

“Shaz is here,” I said, passing out the drinks. “He does not seem happy to see me.”

“Wait until he gets a look at you in that dress,” Jez snickered. “He’ll do anything you ask and forget that it ticks him off.”

Jez’s constant lighthearted jokes were her own way of hiding her inner pain. I knew that. So I laughed along with her even though we both knew that forgiving and forgetting were two very different things.