33

The morning light shined in on my face and I moaned and rolled away. The smell of coffee wafted into my nose, waking my senses. I rolled onto my back and glanced at the empty spot Alaric had left behind.

Male voices drifted in from the living room of the cabin. I slowly sat up and looked at the closed bedroom door as I tried to hear what they were saying. I couldn’t make out their words, but Alaric’s laughter rung out loud and clear. The sound put a smile on my face as I stretched and got out of bed. I used the restroom before walking over to the closed door. I grabbed the door handle but froze when I heard my name.

“Stella?” I loved hearing my name in Alaric’s British accent.

“How serious is it?” a male voice asked.

“It is what it is” I heard Alaric reply.

A couple male voices laughed.

“You know Jeanie was asking about you again?” one of the male voices said. My eyebrows crushed downward, wondering who he was talking to.

“What did Jeanie want?” Alaric asked with humor dancing o