Wren

I watch Huxley's stiff form as he walks away, my eyes drifting back to his uneaten food. A little glimmer of guilt flashes through me before I bat it away. I have no reason to feel guilty. He did this. It was his choices that made me feel this way. I sigh and grab the plate of food, taking it back to the kitchen and loading it into a take out container.

Damn my soft heart.

"He didn't eat it?" Jim asks and I shake my head.

"He had to go. I'm gonna run it over to the bar quick for him." I say and Jim eyes me curiously.

We don't usually do deliveries.

"The lunch rush is pretty much over." I add and he nods.

"I'll hold down the fort, sweetie." He says and I smile at him before dodging out the door.

I walk the few blocks to the bar, shivering by the time I get there. When I step in I look around and am surprised to see Russ sitting at a table talking to Huxley. Russ sees me first and waves. When my eyes catch Huxley he does a double take, looking shocked before he stands up.

"What brings you to the neighborhood?" Russ asks and I look over at Huxley.

"You left your lunch." I say and he reaches out to grab it from me. He gasps when we touch and he furrows his brows at me.

"You're freezing. Why didn't you wear a coat?" He asks angrily as he takes his jacket off and wraps it around me. He pulls me into his chest so quickly I can't even register it's happening.

"I didn't realize how cold it is." I say, my teeth chattering.

"Ooh is that one of Jim's Reubens? I'll take it if you don't want it." Russ says reaching for the bag.

"It's mine." Huxley snaps and I can't help but giggle a little. He looks down at me with a warm look, rubbing his hands up and down my back to warm me up.

"Feel better?" He asks.

"Almost." I say, slipping my freezing cold hands under his shirt until they come into contact with his warm skin. He grunts, but doesn't pull away.

"Remind me to buy you some fucking gloves." He says with clenched teeth and Russ chuckles.

"Hey, doll. I was just talking to Hux about my birthday. I have some cops from local towns coming too. You in?" He asks hopefully and I nod.

"Sure. Just tell me when."

"Next Saturday." He says.

"OK. I'll get Lila to close." I say and Russ claps excitedly.

"And maybe you could make one of those legendary strawberry cheesecakes?" He pleads like a puppy and I chuckle at him.

"Just one?" I ask and his eyes light up.

"Or ten. Up to you." He says and I tilt my head back to laugh.

"I'll get Liv to help. Don't worry I'll take care of it." I say and he lets out a little cheer.

"Alright. I'm gonna hit the bathroom then head out. You want a ride back to the diner?" He asks and I nod.

"Yeah. Can we go to my house first though? I made your grandma a wreath. She said she loved the one on my door last year but her arthritis is getting bad and she can't do those things anymore." I say and Russ nods.

"Of course. That's sweet of you, doll. Granny will love it." He says before disappearing in the back.

"Thank you for bringing me lunch." Huxley murmurs, leaning in close to my ear making me shiver.

"I didn't do it for you. It makes my diner look bad to have uneaten food left on the plate." I say defiantly and Huxley chuckles, running the tip of his nose along my cheek.

"Did you change your mind? You ready to talk?" He asks and I shake my head, trying to pull away but he tightens his grip on me.

"Still not interested, Hux." I say and he sighs, dipping his face into my neck.

"Grab a jacket while you're at home. I don't want you getting sick." He says gently, the anger from earlier washed away by concern.

"Maybe I did it on purpose so I could torture you with my freezing cold hands." I say with a grin and Huxley laughs.

"Your touch could never be torture, little bird." He murmurs, his eyes locked with mine. I stare into them, getting lost in their beauty.

He leans down and skates his lips across mine, not really kissing, just touching. I gasp at the shockwaves barreling through my body. I both love and hate the way my body reacts to him. He tilts his head and plants kisses up my neck, a pleased sound coming from him when he sees the bruise he left. I huff out an annoyed breath and he chuckles, his warm breath skimming across my skin making me shiver again.

"You still cold, baby girl?" He asks with a tint of humor to his tone. He knows exactly what he does to me.

I hear the bathroom door open and it's enough to bring me back to my senses. I shove Huxley away gently and he follows my silent command.

"You ready?" Russ asks and I nod. I go to take off Huxley's jacket but he holds his hand out to stop me.

"Take it." He says taking a step closer to me.

"Thank you for lunch." He says and I nod.

"I threw in some apple crumble too. I put a caramel drizzle on it. I know it's your favorite." I say and he looks at me with such warmth that I feel myself lighting up from the inside out.

"Thank you, baby." He murmurs, leaning down to kiss my cheek.

I nod and step away, feeling cold despite his heavy jacket. I walk towards Russ who is watching me curiously.

"Can I get some of that apple crumble?" He asks and I shake my head.

"Hux got the last piece." I say with a grin and Russ lets out a tortured groan.

"Why cruel world!" He says dramatically, shaking his fist at the sky before looking over at Hux who has a smug grin on his face.

"I'll give you ten dollars for that apple crumble." Russ says and Huxley shakes his head.

"No."

"Fifteen."

"No."

"Twenty five."

"No amount of money is going to get you that apple crumble. Just give it up." Huxley says and Russ huffs out an annoyed breath.

"Fine. But Wren will make some for me tomorrow. Won't you, doll?" He asks hopefully and I chuckle at him.

"Tomorrow's desert is blueberry pie." I say and Russ groans but nods.

"That'll do. I'll be in tomorrow." He says and I laugh again.

I follow him out to the car and look back at Huxley who is watching me longingly and I sigh heavily, pulling his jacket more firmly around me. Russ drives in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before he looks back over at me.

"Why do you keep sniffing that?" He asks me with humor in his voice. I huff at him and narrow my eyes.

"I'm not." I say defiantly and he chuckles.

"Yeah you are. You weirdo." He jokes and I crack a smile.

"He smells good. Which is annoying." I say and Russ gives me a sad smile.

"Maybe you should forgive him." He says and I look at him surprised.

"Have you?" I ask and he nods.

"Yes." He says firmly.

"Did he tell you why he left?" I ask and Russ shakes his head.

"He said he's going to tell you first. That you deserve to know the most." He says and a pang of longing goes through me.

"Well, I don't care." I say firmly and Russ rolls his eyes.

"Stop being so damn stubborn, Wren." He says and I gape at him.

"I am not stubborn!" I screech and he barks out a laugh.

"You're even stubborn about being stubborn." He accuses and I can't help but smile.

"All I'm saying is," Russ continues. "It takes a lot more strength to forgive than to stay mad." I sigh as I ponder his words.

"You don't know the whole story." I say and Russ shrugs.

"I don't need to. All I know is that I would kill to have the chemistry with someone that you have with Huxley. You two in the same room together? The energy firing off of you is stiffling. Everyone always thought you guys would end up together." He says and I look out the window, sadness spearing through me at what could have been.

"So did I." I admit quietly and Russ sighs heavily.

"He's here. He bought part of the bar. He's not leaving. I can tell he wants to make things right. Just hear him out." He says and my eyes flash to him.

"He just got back, Russ. Give me some time. I need to... process." I say and he nods, pulling up in front of my house.

"I understand. But you need to remember that time isn't a guaranteed commodity, doll. I've watched you these last four years, wandering, surviving, but never truly thriving. I love you, Wren. You're like the sister I always wanted and I want to see you happy."