Page 16 of Sweet Dreams

I blinked and then took a long sip. Hot. Creamy. Just the right amount of bitter sweetness dancing across my tongue. I’d actually moaned, then of course, looked around, terrified someone might have heard me.

Either way, I’d savored the peace of the moment, and when I left an hour later, I did feel better. I’d found my way into my mate’s town. And not just that –I’d seen her again.

Things were going to be alright.

Especially since once I’d started keeping an eye on my mate, I had been thrilled to find her enjoying coffee many times. She hadn’t made it into my favorite cafe until later on, but when she did, I had seen the joy in her eyes too.

Hope.

We shared it now.

As she walked into Cup o’ Joe this morning, I stared after her, deciding in an instant that it had been too long since the day I’d pulled her to safety. I wanted to see her again. And this time, I wasn’t going to hold back. Traum could get over himself. He already had his mate.

The bell above the door chimed when I stepped into Cup ‘o Joe and immediately moved to stand in line directly behind Lulu.

Her hair was tied up into one of those sharp looking claw clips and a few small strands were freed and brushing her neck. I wished I could tangle my hands in those dark strands. I could smell the soft scent of her and I wanted to press my face against her throat as I did. To see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.

Lulu looked to the side as I stopped behind her, displaying her profile for only a moment before she saw me. Her expression flew from the relaxed countenance I’d first witnessed and straight to genuine surprise and pleasure.

My heart pounded in my chest.

“Hello there,” my voice was a rasp.

Long lashes blinked before her shoulders moved, her whole person moving to face me. “It’s you,” she said softly, “I knew I’d find you again.”

Why was my throat so tight? I could nearly feel the joy pouring through my person at her proximity. I tried to swallow it back, to keep myself under control. “You were right.”

“It’s Zaldi right?”

“Yes. You got it.”

“No last name?” Her brow lowered.

I smiled, but it was forced and I wondered if she caught on. “Confusing family dynamics. I was offered the Sullivan name when Bailey became part of our lives.”

Her smile was small, but sweet, “That’s really amazing.”

“I haven’t decided yet, but it’s very kind of her.”

Lulu’s eyes flickered over me. “She seems lovely. Her and Traum…that’s your brother right? They seem very good together.”

I nodded, “He is my brother, and yes. They really are.”

The line moved and together we each took a step forward, but she didn't turn around, electing to stay facing me. Warmth spread across my chest. “How have you been? No nearly blind drivers trying to take you out lately?”

Lulu laughed softly, then shook her head, more dark strands escaping her clip. “Not yet. But, the day is young.” She jerked a thumb towards the man behind the counter. “Have you been here before?”

“Only once,” I confessed, ducking my chin. “I’ve never been a coffee drinker before, but I’m learning.”

“I’m addicted, it’s so bad,” Lulu said, and quickly bit into her lip as if that wasn’t what she meant to send. “I mean, during school it was one of the only things I really enjoyed about living on campus. My roommate was a nightmare.”

I wanted to tell her I already knew that. Not the coffee part, but the roommate part. Because she’d called out to me so many times in her dreams. And, each time the bond between us had grown.

My stomach curled a little. Because that bond clearly meant nothing now. I had let it fester and die. And now, I was left with whatever this was, a shadow of the draw between us.

“My brother is pretty sure I’m the worst roommate out there.”

Lulu laughed, covering her mouth with her hand as she did. “Are you two close?”