Page 21 of Must Love Fallen Angels

“Here,” she said, handing the paper bag to Delaney when they reached the kitchen.“Since I’m not much of a drinker, I would have no idea what kind of wine would be good to bring, but I was out for lunch today and stopped at a roadside stand and thought this would be perfect.”

“What is it, babe?”Brody asked as Delaney lifted a glass jar tied with twine and ribbon out of the bag.

“Oh, it’s honey!”

“Wildflower,” Tessa said.“The woman said it’s from a local beekeeper.”

“That’s so cool, thank you so much,” Delaney said, giving Tessa a hug.

Venice watched Tessa’s face as they hugged, and he saw the moment that she felt it—belonging.Her smile grew softer, more real, and he knew that this wasn’t just a dinner with his friends.It was the beginning of Tessa finding a place in his world.

“You’re welcome,” Tessa said.

“Now that you’re here, I’ll get the steaks on,” Brody said.“How do you like yours, Tessa?”

“Medium is good.”

“I’ll help,” Venice said.“I don’t want you overcooking mine.”

“I only did that once.”

“Yeah, once, and I had to cut it with a chainsaw.”

He winked at Tessa and followed Brody out onto the back patio, leaving Delaney and Tessa in the kitchen to get to know each other.

“How’s it going?”Brody asked as he turned on the gas grill.

“Awesome,” Venice said.“She’s amazing.I’m so damn lucky to have met her.”

“I’m happy for you,” he said.

When the grill was heated, Brody set the steaks on the grate and turned to face Venice.“So do you know what brought her here?”

“Not really.She hasn’t told me much about her past.I know she doesn’t have any family left, and while she’s kind of hinted about a heartbreak that sent her off somewhere new, she hasn’t given me any details.”

“Hmm.Do you think it’s bad?Is she in danger?”

“I don’t think it’s anything like that.She’s just not ready to tell me that part of her past yet, and that’s okay.We’re still taking things a day at a time.”

“I’m sure she’ll tell you when she’s ready.”

While his feelings for her were deepening every day, and he could feel that she was growing closer to him too, he knew that things were still new between them.He had no right to know everything about her right off the bat, and he was looking forward to getting to know her on her terms.

“I’m glad you brought her here,” Brody said, flipping the steaks.“You’re like a brother to me, and I want my mate and yours to be like family too.”

Venice looked through the open back door to the kitchen, where the two females were laughing and smiling.“I think we’re well on the way to that.”

Brody looked over his shoulder and grinned.“Thick as thieves already, it seems.”

When the steaks were done, they joined the females at the table.Venice grabbed the side dishes while Brody filled everyone’s glasses with iced tea.

Venice took a seat next to Tessa and said, “I didn’t realize how hungry I was until the steaks hit the grill.”

“Me either,” she said.

Brody lifted his glass.“I’d like to propose a toast.”

They all lifted their glasses.He continued, “To good friends who are like family, and to new beginnings.”