pαпdα Йᴏνê1,сòМ Caleb licked his lips and swallowed down the lump in his throat. He looked up at Ashleigh, but she wouldn't look at him.
"Come on, baby," he whispered, reaching his hand out to hers. "Let's go back to the room."
She hesitated to take his hand, feeling embarrassed by her outburst.
"You've been saying that we need to talk," he continued. "And I haven't been listening."
Ashleigh swallowed, lifting her hand to touch his. He took it gratefully and brought it to his lips, kissing her hand softly.
"Let's go talk."
Ashleigh nodded and led the way back to their room in silence. When they reached the door, they found a large catering tray with a note on it.
Ashleigh knelt down and picked up the note while Caleb picked up the tray before they went inside.
"Ash, I know you'll be needing some fuel after that ride," Ashleigh read from the note with a soft smile. "I followed the recipe you gave me, hope it turned out. Maeve."
Caleb set the tray on the desk after moving the untouched meal from the night before into the garbage and stacking the dishes.
"Sounds like you're pretty close," he said, facing Ashleigh.
Ashleigh swallowed and nodded.
"We've gotten to know each other pretty well," she said. "Maeve is Liam's mate. They only met last year, so I've helped her settle in with his pack."
Caleb clenched his jaw, feeling that pit in his stomach again.
"You've helped her settle in since last year?" he asked, keeping his voice even. "Does that mean you've been with Liam's pack since before then?"
Ashleigh looked at Caleb without answering.
"I'm going to get dressed," she said. "Why don't you get us both some food."
She didn't wait for a reply. Instead, turning to the bed, she pulled out a large suitcase from underneath. She reached in, pulling out a few items before she stood and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Caleb looked back at the suitcase. Was it packed to come or go?
He shook his mind clear and turned back to the tray. Lifting the lid, he found fried potatoes, fried eggs, toast, baked beans, sausage links, fried tomatoes, and mushrooms. In addition, there were plates, utensils, blue tin mugs, and a thermos.
After filling each plate with a generous portion of each food, he set them on the table between the armchairs.
Ashleigh stepped out of the bathroom. She glanced down at the serving tray seeing the thermos still untouched as Caleb arranged the plates and utensils on the table.
She picked up the mugs and the thermos, then moved to her chair and sat down.
"The note mentioned following a recipe you gave her," Caleb said. Looking down at the plates. "Have you taken an interest in cooking? I seem to remember doing most of the cooking in the treehouse."
Ashleigh smiled and set the mugs down beside their plates. She opened the thermos and poured the dark brown liquid into the first mug.
The scent of chocolate floated up to his nose.
Caleb furrowed his brow as Ashleigh lifted the mug and offered it to him. He took it in hand and brought it to his lips, blowing gently before taking a sip.
His eyes widened as the taste flowed over his tongue.
"Is this my mom's recipe?" he asked with surprise.
Ashleigh smiled again and nodded.
"When did you learn to make this?" he asked excitedly. "I don't think I remember you even trying it before."
Bringing the cup to his lips, he took another big sip of the warm liquid.
"I've learned a lot of things from her over the years," Ashleigh replied. "Galen introduced me to it a few months after you… disappeared."
Caleb swallowed and then sat down in the empty chair. He set down the mug and focused his attention on Ashleigh.
"He said that Fiona made it for you both when you had a hard time as kids. That when you went on your human tours, she sent you the ingredients as well," Ashleigh paused, licking her lips. "He said that drinking it made him feel closer to you when you were gone."
"Ash…"
"So," she interrupted with a smile. "I asked Fiona to teach me how to make it. So that when you came back, I could have it ready for you."
Caleb took a deep breath. He watched as the emotions moved over her expression. The sadness and pain, the hope and joy. He reached out and took her hand.
Ashleigh looked up at him. She swallowed.
"Why did you let go?" she asked quietly.
He squeezed her hand.
"You know why I let go," he whispered back.
Ashleigh clenched her jaw and looked away. She licked her lips with a sigh.
"To save me," she whispered.
Caleb nodded.
Ashleigh closed her eyes.
"I would rather have stayed with you," she whispered, her voice cracking as a tear escaped her lids.
"No, you wouldn't," he said.
"You can't say that," she said firmly, opening her eyes and looking at him with angry tears. "You have no idea what the past five years have been like without you!"
Caleb lowered his gaze. He took a deep breath and moved to his knees on the floor before her.
"No, I don't. But I do know you," he said softly. Looking up at her with a sad smile. He reached his palm to her cheek. "If you had been in my position, you would have done the same thing."
Ashleigh leaned into his hand, closing her eyes and breathing in his scent.
"If you didn't go through the portal, it wouldn't have closed," he continued. "If that happened, our people would have been in danger from the explosion and the Dark Queen. Not to mention the ley line itself."
He leaned forward, kissed her knee, and rested his chin on it. He looked back up.
"You would never have allowed that to happen," he whispered with a gentle smile.
She knew he was right. She had always known the reason. But she needed to be angry at him. She needed an excuse to blame him and yell at him.
Holding onto a grudge was much easier than holding onto hope.
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