Page 40 of Wilde Flame

Her brows went up. “That sounds good.”

“What about the store today?” I asked, as I got the eggs out.

Lilibeth glanced out the window, where it was still snowing heavily. “I doubt anyone will bother to open today, with the way this snow is still coming down. I think I lost my phone in the snow when Lyra threw me. I hope Moreen doesn’t try to get to the store. I’m sure she’s texted me at least once.”

“Do you want to use my phone to call Emeline?”

“That would be great. I don’t have anyone’s numbers memorized. She can let Moreen know for me.”

“It’s plugged in next to my bed.”

She slid off the stool. “You don’t mind?”

“Please, make yourself at home, Lilibeth.”

A shy smile appeared on her face as she headed back toward my bedroom. I looked back at the eggs and realized that, aside from my sisters and mother, Lilibeth was the only woman who’d ever been in my house. At least the finished product. The house I’d thought I would be sharing with—

I shut that thought down. Old habits die hard, as they say.

Lilibeth appeared with my phone and handed it to me. I unlocked it, pulled up Emeline’s number, and gave it back to her.

She tapped the phone and put it up to her ear, a soft blush on her face.

“Hey, no, it’s Lilibeth. I’m still at your brother’s house, he’s letting me use his phone.”

She looked up at me, and I winked. She smiled and turned away. Fuck if her innocence wasn’t hot as hell.

I reached up and rubbed at the strange twinge in my chest.

“Um…everything’s good. No, I’m fine here.”

If I knew my sister, she’d asked if Lilibeth wanted to leave. If she had to get into a plow herself, Emeline would come get her if Lilibeth wanted to go.

“Can we talk about this later?” Lilibeth whispered. “I just wanted to see if you could call Moreen. I lost my phone yesterday. I’m sure she’s tried to call me. With this storm, I doubt she’d try to go into the store, but if you wouldn’t mind calling and letting her know we’ll stay closed today, I’d appreciate it.”

I started on the French toast while Lilibeth was still talking on the phone.

“I promise you, your brother is being…amazing. He’s making French toast right now.”

I could just imagine my sister’s reaction to that.

A minute later, Lilibeth appeared next to me. She sighed. “She wants to talk to you.”

I took the phone. “Hey, sis.”

“Okay, what’s going on? Why does Lilibeth sound different? She doesn’t want to leave, and you’re making her French toast? Did she hit her head or something?”

“I’m not a monster, Emeline.”

The line was silent for a second, then she gasped. “Oh my God! Caden, did something happen between the two of you?”

I handed the phone back to Lilibeth. “She’s asking questions.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Hey, Emeline, we’re about to eat breakfast so—” She sighed. “This isn’t really the best time to talk about it.”

I laughed. My little sister was fiercely protective of her friends, always had been.