CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Bianca ran to Talon once she saw his truck pull up in front of the diner. He was early but they were done for the day. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight.
Talon chuckled and kissed her. “I missed you too, babe,” he said. He looked up and saw Nelson flip the sign to “Closed” and lock the door.
“They’re closing early today?” Talon asked, surprised.
“Yeah,” Bianca answered as she got in the truck. “Nelson wants us all to go home early and forget about this whole shitty day.”
Talon tensed. “What happened?”
Bianca told him about the fight between Yaya and Sariah as he drove them home. “Yaya left with Boris, in pieces,” Bianca finished. “His handle’s all broken.”
Talon’s brows were deeply furrowed. “I can make Boris a new handle,” he said. “I’ll work on it tonight and pass it to Yaya first thing tomorrow.”
“You’ll do that?” Bianca said earnestly. “For Yaya?”
“I’m doing it for you,” Talon answered. “I can see you’re upset about Boris.”
Bianca nodded. “Yeah. I feel bad. It’s not his fault...”
“It’s not your fault either.” After a pause, Talon said, “I don’t want you to go to work tomorrow, Bianca.”
“What?” Bianca started. “But why...?”
“You were in danger today,” he snapped. “I don’t want you putting yourself...”
“I’m not hurt,” Bianca insisted. “I have to go to work. Carly and Nelson are counting on me. I won’t leave them in the lurch...”
“I’m not asking you to quit. You can go back when it’s safe. I want to check that...”
“No.” Bianca folded her arms. “I’m going in tomorrow.”
“No you’re not.”
She glared at him. “If you won’t give me a ride, I’ll walk to town.”
Talon scowled and scrubbed a hand down his face. He knew when he was defeated. “You—are one stubborn woman.”
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Bianca assured him. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”
Once they got home, Talon grabbed some leftover meatloaf from the fridge and made them meatloaf sandwiches. Bianca heated up the soup and they sat down to eat.
It was a simple meal but Bianca enjoyed it immensely. Talon didn’t talk much during dinner but when he finished, he said gruffly, “The soup’s great.”
Bianca smiled. Fights, squabbles and disagreements were inevitable, but they would always make up. They loved each other too much to stay mad at each other. “It’s just soup from a can,” she replied with a laugh.
When they finished eating, Bianca insisted on washing up. “Go get started on Boris’s handle,” she urged. “Yaya was really upset.”
At the door, Talon turned and said, “Keep all the doors and windows locked. I’ll keep my phone on my work table, so you can message or call me if you need anything. I won’t take long.”
“I’ll be waiting for you in bed,” Bianca said huskily and winked.
Talon’s eyes glowed and she danced away just before he grabbed her. “Go,” she said. “If we get naked now, you’ll never get any work done. We have all night.”
Talon went to the door and gave her a look so full of love and longing she almost melted on the spot. Through the kitchen window, she watched her mate march to the shed and close the door.
Bianca busied herself with chores around the house while she waited for Talon. She did some dusting and vacuuming, and tidied up the living room.
When there was nothing else to do, she made herself a cup of tea and sat down in front of the fireplace.
As she looked around the cozy house, Bianca realized that this was the life she had always dreamed of. She had dreamed of building a loving home with a wonderful, caring man. They would enjoy each other as they looked forward to their future together. Bianca smiled, imagining the pitter-patter of tiny feet around the house.
She glanced out the window at the forest outside. Who would have thought that she would find her happiness in the middle of nowhere?
She would not let anything and anyone get her down. She was done running. No one would stop her from living her life.
She would not stay away from the diner just because of an unstable, volatile witch. She loved her job and she loved her life.
And she loved her mate. “Come to bed soon, Talon,” she whispered. “I’m waiting for you.”