(Mis)fortune

The next morning I had the daunting task of breaking the news to the boys. Worried they’d cry or beg me to stay, I wasn’t prepared for the cheering or the rush to help me pack.

“Aren’t you going to miss me even a little?” I asked them in a half-teasing tone.

“Mimi,” Liam said rationally. “You said four days. That’s not a long time. We get to have sleepovers with Paul and Henry.”

I laughed and hugged him. Obviously, there was no competing with Paul and Henry.

We went to breakfast, and the boys excitedly greeted Paul and Henry, telling them about all the things they were going to do together.

Mary grinned when she saw my face and gave my arm a quick, reassuring squeeze.

“They’ll want to miss you, but we’re going to keep them so busy they’ll forget to. It will be easier for them that way.”

I knew she was right.

We finished our breakfast then left Liam and Aden with Mary after another round of hugging. Emmitt stayed close beside me as we walked the quiet halls. When we were in the apartment, he spun me around to face him. Understanding filled his gaze. My eyes watered, seeing it. He tucked me tight against his chest, held me for barely a second, then stepped back.

“You don’t have to go.” It was the first objection he’d voiced regarding this trip.

“I do. I want to be free. I want to protect the boys. This is the only way to do it. Why are you saying this now?”

“I see how hard this is, leaving your brothers. I can go alone. There’s no need to come with us.”

“You know better. I’m the bait.” It was the first time during this whole plan that I’d admitted it, and he scowled hearing it. “You’ll keep me safe,” I said seriously. “I don’t doubt that.”

A car waited for us just outside the main entrance. Emmitt put our bags in the trunk. The sound of it closing struck me with cold finality. Would I ever see my brothers again?

I’d done the math. Four years with one dinner a month; ten guests each time with few, if any, repeats—I hadn’t paid close attention. Blake led more than five hundred men. The number made the likelihood of my return to the Compound a scary improbability. So why go? One way or another, Blake would come for me. I’d rather it be on my terms with my brothers safe.

Emmitt reached for my hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze. We both slid into the backseat, and I said a quiet hello to Grey and Carlos.

Carlos drove, heading straight to the airport. Grey kept up a stream of conversation, ribbing Carlos about everything from his hairstyle to his driving, both of which were impeccable and precise. Carlos remained stoically quiet. I could see his silence amused Grey. Under different circumstances, I might have found his playful banter diverting.

As it was, my stomach churned with anxiety. I doubted my decision and wondered what would happen to my brothers if I couldn’t return. I leaned into Emmitt. He would care for them…if he made it back.

I casually reached into my pocket, found my phone, and sent a quick text to Nana Wini to ask for her promise to that see my brothers went somewhere permanent and safe if I didn’t return. Seconds later, Emmitt sighed and pulled me even closer.

Grey turned in his seat. “Wini said to stop worrying. You’re bruising my ego with your doubt. We will keep you safe.”

Darn werewolf telepathy.

“We’ll be at the airport soon,” Grey said, passing back our tickets.

I straightened away from Emmitt and grabbed my ticket before Emmitt could. It would be my first time flying. My reasons for nauseous anxiety continued to grow. I took a deep breath and let it out, feeling Emmitt’s eyes on me. I needed to remember my purpose: Keep my brothers safe by whatever means necessary…and try really hard to come back home.

I thought I would be terrified to be back in the same town as Blake but didn’t feel anything but squished as I sat between Carlos and Emmitt in the cab we took to the hotel. Mercifully, it wasn’t a long ride.

Carlos and Grey checked us in while Emmitt grabbed our things from the trunk. He shouldered both bags and held out his hand. I wrapped my cool fingers around his warm ones. My stomach twisted happily at his touch as we walked toward the entrance.

Two glass utility doors opened to a small, chlorine-scented lobby. Carlos and Grey waited just inside and handed Emmitt a room key. We all silently walked the hallway to the left. Their room was two doors down from ours.

I blushed when Emmitt opened our door and I spotted two queen beds. I wondered if his father had mentioned the sleeping arrangements to him. The room, tastefully decorated in brown and gold tones, had a sitting area opposite the door.

“If it’s all right with you,” Grey said from behind us, “we’d like to get started right away.”

I nodded, and Carlos and Grey came in with us. Emmitt set our bags on one of the beds while I cleared the hotel advertisements and guidebook off the coffee table. Carlos and Grey sat on the wooden chairs from the table while Emmitt and I sat on the small brown sofa. Grey spread out a map of the area that he’d grabbed from the airport, and I pointed to the area where I used to live.

“I don’t know if David’s still there. I’m guessing probably not since David was employed by Blake and had no ties to Richard or the house. But Blake might have someone watching the place. If it’s possible, could you sneak in and grab a few things? You’ll need to be careful. The house has a security system. I set it off when I left.”

I explained where to find photos of my mom and a few other things that I wanted for my brothers. “Then, you could go back tomorrow and see if you stirred up any trouble.”

Grey smiled wide. “I like the way you think. We’ll call when we get there to let you know the state of things. If anyone’s there, we’ll watch for a while.”

They both stood to leave. My worry and fear had evaporated while we talked, and now impatience grabbed me. It would take them at least forty minutes to get to my house. I didn’t want to wait that long to find out…well, anything. I knew whatever would happen, would happen, but I just wanted to get it over with. I’d given Blake enough of my life.

Emmitt closed the door behind them and turned to study me.

“Let’s go next door and get something to eat.”

We left the room and walked to the restaurant next door. The smell of grilling burgers hit me when we left the hotel. Crossing the parking lot, my stomach growled. Emmitt grinned at me.

Inside the restaurant, we decided on burgers and ordered takeout to bring back to the room. The wait seemed to take forever. I kept glancing at the clock, worried we’d miss Grey’s call.

When we returned with our food, we ate quickly. Emmitt’s phone chirped just as I finished. He’d been done within minutes, of course.

Emmitt listened for a while, adding affirmations occasionally. Finally, he said, “I agree. I’ll let her know. Call back if there’s a change in plans.”

He hung up the phone and gave me a slight smile. “They’re watching the house but say it looks abandoned. The grass is overgrown, and the papers are piled up. There’s even a notice on the door. Grey’s content to sit and watch it for the rest of the day to see if they’re mistaken. Tonight, they’ll go in for the things you mentioned. We can send them back to watch tomorrow.”

I nodded, surprised, but not concerned. I had a plan B.

“So it looks like, in order to find Blake, I’ll need to call the lawyer.”

“It can’t hurt,” he said.

I picked up the hotel phone and dialed the number I’d memorized. A receptionist answered. I gave my name and asked to speak to Mr. Nolan. She said that he was in a meeting and asked for a return number. But when I said I’d just try back later, she quickly asked me to hold.

The line clicked, then a man came on.

“Ms. Daniels. Thank you for contacting us.” He went through the usual offer of condolences then explained why he’d been looking for me. He wanted to read the will and discuss the details of Richard’s estate with me.

Estate? Will? I’d never given any of that any thought. I glanced at Emmitt. He had his head tilted, watching me. I was sure he could hear both ends of the conversation.

“How soon can we meet?” I asked.

“Mr. Torrin said he would be available whenever you were. My schedule is open on Thursday. Is there a time that day that works for you?”

“Let me check.” I put my hand over the receiver, needing a minute to think it through. Why would Blake not watch the house? Why would Richard give me the number of a lawyer with whom Blake also had contact? The answers lay in the meeting with the lawyer. I moved my hand.

“How does ten sound?” I asked.

“Perfect. I’ll see you Thursday at ten.”

After I hung up, I sat on the bed, thinking. Although I wanted to meet with Blake to find out what he knew about my gift, I didn’t want to walk into a trap. I needed to get more information about the will and Blake’s involvement.

Emmitt sat back and watched me as I grabbed the phone book.

Three hours later, when I hung up the phone, my head spun from all of the information I’d won. The will, which was straightforward, had gone to probate. Richard’s estate included properties I hadn’t known he owned. Everything went to me as the sole beneficiary.

I didn’t understand why he’d left everything to me, his stepdaughter, when he had two sons of his own. Then, I realized by not naming them in the will, Richard had protected them. Blake had no reason to pursue my brothers, unless he still wanted to use them to control me. It also meant that Richard had put a lot of faith in me to take my brothers with me when I ran. And, he had trusted me to keep them safe.

Since Richard hadn’t specified an executor, one had been appointed. There’d been no surprise when I’d been told Blake was trying to contest it. By being an executor, he’d have control of everything in my absence. After speaking with the court appointed executor, I could see no reason there even needed to be a meeting other than to get us in the open so Blake could do whatever it was he had planned.

“I don’t think we should go,” I said to Emmitt.

He frowned thoughtfully. “If we don’t, Blake is still out there and this trip will have been for nothing.”

He moved to sit near me on the bed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “The lawyer’s in the phone book. I checked, so we know he’s real. Even if he’s being paid off, he’d have to be careful with what he’s involved in.”

“But what if Blake brings people with him, like Frank and that other guy?”

“We’ll bring more powerful people.”

I liked Grey and Carlos well enough but didn’t think they could take on Blake’s entire following. “Three, no matter how strong or fast they are, against an unknown number, doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

He grinned at me. “Not just us. One thing Blake won’t want is people knowing what’s going on. I heard you talking and heard how much Richard’s properties are worth. Call the news. Bring them with. Say you want to donate half of your inheritance to a charity. With a camera on you, he can’t touch you.”

I remembered the video of Richard’s mauling and doubted his plan would be as safe as he thought. Blake hadn’t seemed too concerned about public exposure, then.

We debated what to do until just past dark and our stomachs growled. With no better options, I called the local news.

Emmitt was right. As soon as I mentioned an eight-figure inheritance, I had the media’s attention. The person I spoke with took down the information for the lawyer and agreed to have someone there.

I managed to say goodbye before Emmitt plucked the phone from my hands.

“Enough for tonight,” he said gently.

I nodded in agreement. I was emotionally drained and ready for bed, but Emmitt insisted we eat. I grinned, knowing he was the hungry one this time. He ordered room service while I took a shower.

My thoughts kept running over what I knew about Blake. Why fight to get control of Richard’s assets? Yes, the number was large, but what about Blake’s take? He should have made at least that amount. I’d always given the tips to Blake via phone or in person. Except that last time.

Briefly towel drying my hair, I wished again that I would have better premonitions. Something useful like what Blake had planned. Sighing in frustration, I pulled on my pajamas and joined Emmitt in the room. There was no point in dwelling on what I couldn’t control, and my premonitions fell into that category.

My hair had mostly air dried by the time the food arrived. Emmitt tipped the room service person and groaned in appreciation of the aroma coming from the trays as he set them on the table. I teased him by reaching for the half-pound burger, and he playfully growled before offering to share a bite. Shaking my head, I reached for the smaller burger and carried it over to one of the beds.

“I’ll take this bed,” I said sitting down on the end of it.

He stopped mid-chew and looked up. He studied me for a moment then resumed chewing the bite in his mouth.

I watched him swallow and take a drink from his soda, wondering at his reaction.

“No,” he said. Then, he took another bite still watching me. His look, so intense and focused, made me a little uneasy and very confused.

“Okay. I didn’t know you had a preference.” I got up and moved to the other bed. This time I didn’t look at him but reached for the remote and turned on the television.

He moodily dropped his burger on his plate. “I don’t want to sleep apart from you.”

I almost laughed aloud. So that’s what this was about? Remembering his mother’s words, I primly set down my own burger and walked over to him. Leaning in, I pressed a quick kiss to the tip of his nose as he’d once done to me.

“Too bad.”

Before he had time to react, I walked back to my plate. “Eat your burger, Emmitt.”

It was hard, but I finished my burger while watching television. He remained quiet, eating his own meal. I could feel his steady scrutiny the entire time.

When he finished the burger, he ate both of our fries and the side order of onion rings. I didn’t know how he had the room. He hesitated when he finished, looking slightly frustrated, but then walked over by me and politely asked if I had finished, too. I handed him my plate, and he stacked it on the tray before placing everything outside the door.

I felt like I’d started a fight when he quietly closed himself in the bathroom.

I brushed my teeth then crawled into my acquired bed. The room was a comfortable temperature and the pillow soft. I didn’t think I’d stay awake long enough to hear back from Grey and Carlos.

Mentally exhausted, I fell asleep before Emmitt came out of the bathroom.

The next morning, I knew I wasn’t in bed alone. His breath tickled the top of my head, and his arm lay casually draped over my waist. Slowly, I opened my eyes. Curled on my side, I lay facing him. He slept, his eyes closed and face relaxed. He’d made a gesture toward compromise and laid on top the covers. Since I’d said no to sharing a bed, I wasn’t sure it was much of a compromise.

Shifting slightly to get comfortable, I paused when I felt the edge of the mattress under me. How was that possible? I lifted my head to look. He’d moved the other bed, pushing it up against mine. Technically, he wasn’t sleeping in the same bed as me.

I studied him again, amazed. His dark lashes fanned his cheeks, making him completely irresistible. Irresistible and mine, I thought with a smile. Mine. His clarification of how he felt about me rang in my head. He’d known I was the one for him when he first saw me well over a month ago. His complete certainty awed me. As did his patience. I frowned suddenly. He’d waited a month for a first date, a date with no first kiss. Why hadn’t he kissed me yet? A kiss to the tip of my nose didn’t count.

Looking at his peaceful face, I wondered what it’d be like to really kiss Emmitt. My stomach did a quick flip, and a flush consumed my face. I decided it was time to get out of bed before I woke him up.

I snuck to the bathroom and quietly closed the door. I couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d done after I’d fallen asleep. He’d moved not only the bed but also the small end table, which had been between the beds, and a lamp. He’d relocated everything, neatly arranging it all on the side of the room near the window. So much effort just to be next to me.

What was wrong with me? I feared starting the relationship I really wanted with Emmitt because of the looming danger of Blake. With Emmitt, I was happy and peaceful. Why was I letting Blake stand between us?

I crept from the bathroom and quickly brushed my teeth, trying not to wake him. In the mirror, I saw the covers on the opposite bed lay in disarray with the sheet trailing onto the floor. The pillows lay in a pile near the head of the bed. A few had signs of being squashed. He’d tried to do as I’d asked.

Though I tried to deny it, I wanted to be near him, too. Always.

I quietly rinsed then crawled back into bed, easing onto my side to face him. I lightly ran my fingers over his hair. It already needed a trim. He looked a bit like a porcupine. I focused my attention on the stubble on his face. He shaved each morning, but by evening, it grew out again.

While I was tracing his jaw with my fingers, he opened his eyes.

“Good morning,” I whispered, removing my hand.

He caught it and brought it to his mouth, placing a kiss on my palm. A surge of heat spread through me. His pupils dilated and his irises grew slightly, a sign of a partial shift.

With thoughts of kissing still drifting in my mind, my gaze shifted to his lips. Why did Emmitt need to be the one to kiss me?

He kissed my palm again then released my hand, running his fingers through my hair.

I hesitantly touched his chest. Could I lead? His heart thumped under my fingertips. I leaned in slowly.

The fingers in my hair twitched when I stopped just inches from his face. He didn’t move, but his eyes begged me to close the gap. Gathering my courage, I lightly brushed my lips against his.

Tiny explosions started in my stomach, sending out waves of warmth through the rest of me. He groaned. I pressed closer, absorbing the feel of his firm lips. My insides began melting with the heat the kiss created. It distracted me so much that I, at first, didn’t notice the bed shaking. This time, it wasn’t due to laughter on his part.

Reluctantly, I pulled back and looked into his eyes. What I found there humbled me. The dark blue irises were almost lost to his pupils. Very little white remained.

“Thank you for trying last night,” I said softly.

He reached up, gently touching my jaw. My skin tingled. I really wanted to kiss him again, but I could see his effort to control the slight tremors running through him. I didn’t think kissing would help. He disagreed.

He skimmed his hand around to the back of my neck and pulled me close for another kiss. Our lips brushed lightly, and I couldn’t help my smile. I nudged him so he lay on his back and moved closer to him. Not fast enough to suit him, however. He lifted me, moving me so I half-lay on his chest, an arm on each side of him. My heart stuttered and another explosion of heat went off inside me.

A low rumble echoed in his chest. Not a growl really, it was more a satisfied purr. I studied him for a moment to make sure he was okay with the situation before slowly leaning forward again. He lifted his head slightly, his smooth lips meeting mine. Possessed, I lightly nipped his bottom lip.

The tremors grew worse. The bed was going to shake apart. I reluctantly pulled back. His teeth had elongated, reshaping his lips. Any hint of white in his eyes had disappeared beyond his expanded irises.

“Maybe, I had better stop,” I said more to myself than him. I really didn’t want to, but…

In a flash, I lay on my back while he leaned over me, his arms caging me in.

“No.”

At least, I thought the growl had a hint of no in it. He tried clearing his throat and speaking again, but it was still more growl than human. Giving up on communication, he lowered his head, his intent clear.

“If you change into your fur, we’re done,” I said a moment before he claimed my lips.

His kiss was hot and thorough, sweeping me from the hotel room to a magical place in my mind where only the two of us existed. I had no concept of time, but when he pulled away, I was gasping for air, stunned by the intensity of emotions running through me.

He held still, watching me as he shook violently. I wanted to pull him back down despite his obvious struggle for control. It took several long moments before my breathing slowed from ragged gasps.

I could now comprehend how I’d be able to bite him. From that single kiss, I already had a slight urge to nip at his neck. A good make-out session and it’d be done. I needed to be careful when I kissed him. And there was no doubt; I would be kissing him again. Soon.

His pupils dilated further as he leaned in to nuzzle my neck. I shivered as he inhaled deeply. I wished we were staying in this hotel for fun instead of Blake. It’d be easy to let go then. When he inhaled again, lapping my neck, my insides started to liquefy, and I forced myself to push lightly against his chest.

“We need to stop.” It came out sounding breathless. When he didn’t stop, I took a deep, calming breath and tried again. “Emmitt, please stop.”

Grudgingly, he pulled away; and, instead of facing me, he rolled to sit on the edge of the bed, quickly averting his face. Wondering if he was angry, I reached for his arm, catching him before he left the bed. He stilled when I touched him, but he didn’t face me. Tremors continued to wrack his body.

“Are you mad?”

He shook his head in response but remained silent.

“This thing between you and me, it’s definitely right. I don’t doubt it. I just don’t want to get so involved that we forget why we’re here. Once I deal with my past, I can focus on our future.”

He turned to me, a wild light burning in his eyes. “As long as it takes, I’ll wait. I’m not going anywhere.”

His voice was guttural, devolved due to the partial change. A light fur covered his arms, and the tips of his ears were no longer rounded. Even with fur, he made my stomach churn in a good way.

I hugged him hard. I was lucky to have him. He didn’t show fear. He showed me how to be strong, how to have fun. He was exactly who I needed. As soon as I thought that, I slipped into my vision world. Not the white master room, but the single feature version.

I stood near the bar in a dimly lit, crowded club. Had I really been there, the press of bodies would have crushed me. Music dominated the air, thumping out a loud, aggressive beat. Colored lights shifted back and forth over the writhing mass on the dance floor, making it hard to see any one person for more than a second.

The flashing exit sign above the entrance caught my eye just in time to see a woman walk in. She was tall and trim with curly, bright red hair, pale skin, and a smattering of dark freckles. Her green eyes shimmered in the multi-colored light. She was stunning, and she was pissed.

She stalked into the club, roughly pushing her way through the bodies to get to the bar. As she passed the other patrons, they stopped moving and turned to stare at her. I initially thought she was going to get her ass kicked for pushing her way through the crowd. Instead of looking angry, the people she’d shoved out of the way looked serene. Their serenity seemed to make the woman even angrier.

“Another vision?” Emmitt asked pulling away from me and stopping the scene. He looked and sounded calmer.

“Yeah. There’s an angry redhead out there somewhere who I wouldn’t want to run into. I just wish I knew what I was supposed to do with this information.”

“We’ll figure it out.” His stomach grumbled loudly.

“Go shower,” I said, “and then let’s get something to eat.”

I smiled at his disgruntled expression and knew he’d rather stay in bed. But kissing Emmitt was intense, and I wasn’t ready for another round. I had been serious about losing focus. We couldn’t afford that.

He reluctantly agreed, and I enjoyed the solitude as I dressed and thought about my visions.

So far, the visions were all about women. The first one had a werewolf in it and a girl Elder Sam had identified as Gabby. The second girl had to be related to werewolves as well since the man on the phone had been talking to someone named Gabby. I didn’t think it a coincidence. And, though this last vision didn’t have any sign of werewolves, without a doubt, the girl had powers. The people she’d passed seemed as if she’d put them in a trance.

Three visions of different women. In each vision, I’d felt a sense of recognition as if I should somehow know the woman. Charlene had a gift like me. And the third girl appeared gifted. Could the recognition be because we all shared that tie? If so, how many of us were out there?

Based on the vast majority of images in the white room, I wasn’t done having premonitions. I just wished I knew how to control them so I could get some better answers.

Emmitt strolled out of the bathroom damp and looking good in his jeans. My stomach somersaulted, its version of a happy clap. His bare chest glistened in the vanity light. Muscles rippled as he walked. The need for food had me averting my eyes. I didn’t want him to catch me enjoying the view and start something again.

“Did you hear from Grey?” I asked as he pulled a shirt on.

“They got back late with the things you wanted. Everything’s in their room. They left early again to watch the house. We’ll hear from them later.”

We walked to the restaurant from the night before and had an enjoyable breakfast. We took our time, talking about ourselves and our plans for the future.

I pointed out both of us were jobless and asked if we wanted to stay that way.

“My father sent Jim and me to Montana to establish another branch of the pack,” he explained.

I watched in amusement as he forked in a large bite of syrup-covered pancakes and waited for him to continue.

“When the apartments are all finished, I’ll need to find something to do. But something from home.” He met my eyes. “I don’t want to go far.”

His answer warmed me. Then, he asked what I wanted to do.

“I want to work on my GED. Thanks to Blake, I missed out on graduating. After that, I’m not sure. I can’t think of getting a job and leaving my brothers, yet. And the thought of sending them off to school in the fall terrifies me.”

“We should consider inviting other families to come live with us. Nana Wini could homeschool.”

“Would Nana really want to do that?”

“I think so. We all want to keep those boys safe. Cubs are usually homeschooled because of their unpredictable shifting. Even though yours don’t shift, they should still be treated in the same careful manner. It would mean they’d need to be told, though. Unless you want them surprised the first time a friend pops into fur.”

“Just another thing for me to think about,” I said with a sigh.

“We’ll figure this out together.” He reached across the table and squeezed my hand.

When we finished, we walked back to our room. I felt a little restless with the waiting, and we still had more than twenty-four hours to go before the meeting. I wouldn’t have minded being trapped in a room with Emmitt after this morning’s kiss, if I’d intended to continue. As it was, I needed a distraction. I recalled Emmitt had thrown my swimsuit in my bag.

“Did you pack a suit, too?”

“I have something that’ll work.”

Ten minutes later, I stood at the edge of the hotel’s indoor pool, hesitantly testing the water’s temperature with a toe. Emmitt took a two-step running start to jump in and hooked an arm around me as he passed. Grinning widely, he twisted in the air so he landed first and kept my head above water. I sputtered and laughed.

Feeling shriveled and water logged, we made our way back to our room before lunch. Emmitt called for room service as I rinsed and changed.

Tired from all of the swimming, I suggested watching a movie while we waited. We flipped through the channels, but the movie we wanted to watch didn’t start for another hour. We settled for a cooking show while we waited. It just made Emmitt hungrier.

I wasn’t surprised when he got up and opened the door before the poor room service boy could even knock. Emmitt pretty much ripped the food from his hands, tossed him the tip, and closed the door in his face.

“Remind me not to forget to feed you. You turn a bit feral.”

He just grunted at me as he tore into his burger.

We ended up watching two movies back-to-back, reclining on our stacks of pillows. Of course, we were on the same bed. Emmitt wouldn’t have it any other way. He took every opportunity to touch me, random touches as if to assure himself I lay next to him.

By the time the second movie’s credits were rolling, Emmitt’s stomach growled again.

“Why don’t you call in an order at the restaurant next door then run and get it? We can watch this next movie, then. If you’re fast, you won’t miss much,” I said.

He called in the order and groaned when they said it’d be ready in thirty minutes. We settled next to each other on our bellies to watch TV, but his stomach kept getting louder.

“You need to think about something else so we can hear the movie,” I said with a laugh.

“I can’t. I’m hungry, and someone down the hall had pizza delivered.”

I leaned over and nipped his earlobe. He let out a defeated sigh and turned toward me.

“I thought I wasn’t supposed to think about that, either.”

I grinned at him then turned back to the movie. His stomach was quieter, but he kept moving around on the bed, uncomfortable on his abdomen. When he got up to leave, I crooked my finger at him. He obligingly bent down, and I sweetly kissed him.

“Hurry back or you’ll miss the rest of the movie.”

“I’d rather stay here and skip the movie and the food.”

“Ha! You’re only saying that because you’re distracted from how hungry you are. Go. I’ll be here when you get back.”