The ability to read her friends through her senses was fascinating for Jordan. She could hear the insecurity in Nicole’s voice. She scented Karla and Emma’s concern for their friends.
Not that it was Jordan’s business, since they all knew she was nosy as hell, but she felt the need to calm the insecurity filling her friends.
“So, did you girls know that Jake and Nathan are helping Caleb get his pack back?”
Karla lifted a brow. “Those two are finally doing something helpful? That’s hard to believe.”
Nic’s features went serious. “Tell me about it. Usually they’re too busy chasing skirts.”
Jordan had a hard time not smiling. They were saying one thing, but she could sense their excitement at her news. She wondered if all humans mated to shifters felt so much more after the bite. Aric had mentioned she would change, but this was strange even for her.
Nicole walked past her down the hallway, until she was out of view. Nic’s voice floated from the kitchen, where she actively begged Barbara for some food. She said Karla and Emma had starved her all day.
Emma walked past her to the living area. Her scent was stronger than the others. Ellie stopped beside her. She opened her mouth, but was cut off before she said anything.
“Don’t mention the scent.”
“What? Why? What is it?” She whispered the words in the same soft voice Ellie had used.
Ellie grinned. Her eyes had gone a deep shade of blue Jordan loved. It only got that dark whenever she was happy. “You’ll see in time, but it’s best to not say anything for now.”
Barbara stepped out of the kitchen with a large platter of food, followed by Karla with another tray of food they placed on the dining room table. Aric’s mom had been there for her more than Jordan could have ever expected. She’d spent days at the hospital with her and the day Aric finally brought her home, she’d stopped by daily to ensure she wasn’t over doing things. Even knowing her son was obsessive in his need to watch over her, Barbara hadn’t cared. She’d brought food and kept her company the times he needed to go to the bar.
Jordan would be going back to school soon, but she was definitely enjoying her sick time.
“So what do we owe all this yummy food to?” Karla sat on the dining room table, joining the others as they made their way there.
“Well,” Barbara smiled. Her blue eyes were so much like Ellie’s, only filled with a wealth of knowledge. “I’m going to let poor Jordan have her life back, now that she’s feeling better. So I figured this was a nice way to stop harassing her with endless amounts of food.”
Jordan laughed at the shock in her friends’ faces. “I don’t mind you being here at all, Barbara. And I mind your food even less.”
“You know,” Nicole chewed and swallowed a piece of meat before continuing. “If you want to come over to my house and harass me with endless amounts of food I think I can learn to tolerate that.”
Barbara’s eyes twinkled with delight. “You’ll get your turn, Nicole, but now I have something more fun in mind.”
Jordan frowned. Some kind of communication was going on that she wasn’t aware of between Ellie and her mom.
“Let’s talk about my sons.” Barbara glanced around the table at each of the girls. More than one glanced down at her plate while fidgeting. A smile split her lips. At least Jordan was no longer the one under the gun.
Ellie smirked. “Why did everyone go quiet?”
“Ellie!” Karla’s face was a dark crimson under her tanned skin. “That’s your mom. We can’t trash talk the sexy four to her.”
Barbara laughed. “Yes, you can. I know my boys. They’re bossy, annoying, and quite good looking, right?”
All the women nodded in unison.
“Let’s start with you, Emma.”
Emma’s deer caught in the headlights made Jordan choke on her drink.
“M-me?”
“I think you want to tell me why Mason is an overbearing, macho, pig.” She turned to Ellie. “That’s what I heard her call him last time they crossed paths at the hospital, right?”
Ellie chortled. “That’s what she called him, Mom.”
Things were about to get interesting.
*
Jordan’s phone rang as she walked out of her house. It was Emma. She flinched. Emma was in wedding planner mode and she really didn’t want to discuss the difference between light blue, sky blue, ocean blue, pastel blue, and baby blue. All Jordan had requested was for the color blue to be used.
Dammit! She could really do with some stress relief, but Aric had gone to Wolfe’s Den to meet up with Caleb. The past few days she’d felt a bit more aggressive than usual, and her horny level had gone from pervert to nympho status. Her body throbbed with just the feel of the material from her clothes. If she didn’t know better she’d swear someone drugged her. She’d brought it up to Aric. He’d shrugged it off and said he’d take her aggressive side any time.
“Hi, Emma.” She carried her camera to her vehicle as she spoke.