Author’s note: This was written for the Margarita Drabble Challenge. Since we were forced to push Cal away at the bar and run off during chapter 6 of Nightbound, and he left by the time we got back, this was the perfect opportunity to change that!
As Rosa walked back down from the roof deck, she thought about what Nik had told her. She imagined the horrifying creature attacking Nik’s parents right in front of him. If Elijah hadn’t taken him in, he wouldn’t have had any family. He must have been so terrified. It suddenly occurred to her that Cal might be feeling the same way. Although they’d all seen the bloodwraith rip apart Kristof, it had to have been worse for Cal. Kristof was his pack’s alpha. And even though the pack blamed her for Kristof’s death, Cal had defended her. The pack could turn on him for that. Donny was the only family Cal had left, and he could lose his pack too. He must be hurting badly. But when he reached for her hand as she walked by him, she’d pushed him away. How incredibly selfish of her!
She entered the bar and looked around. Katherine was gone, but Cal was still sitting there, looking miserable. She rushed over to his side.
“Hey, I’m really sorry about before. I was just so overwhelmed by everything, and needed to get away for a bit. But I didn’t think about how you were feeling.” She reached out to him and touched his hand. “Can you forgive me?”
Cal looked into her eyes and smiled at her. “Of course.”
“After the day we’ve had, I think we could both use a drink. Something strong.” She turned to Garrus behind the bar. “Can I get a strawberry margarita? With extra tequila, please.”
“Certainly, my mortal. I’ll make you my special blend.”
Rosa turned to Cal. “What do you want? It’s on me.”
“I’ll have a glass of whiskey.”
Garrus fixed the drinks and set them down. Rosa reached for her glass and took a sip. It was the tastiest margarita she had ever had. Garrus really knew how to fix a drink.
She leaned in closer to Cal and stroked his hair, then cupped his chin in her hand. “Thanks for protecting me. I want you to know that you can count on me. We’re in this together.”
Cal wrapped his arm around her. “Yeah, we are. I won’t let anyone hurt you. We’ll get through this.”