Chapter 39

**** Alyssa ****

"Good morning! I knew you were awake!" Merideth squeals with way too much excitement. Instantly, I'm smacked with déjà vu and that failed shopping trip so many years ago.

"He's always up early," Merideth says as she winks at Enzi, who responds with a noncommittal grunt. I can sense he's displeased at her interruption, but surprisingly, he doesn't kick her out. That could be because she thrusts an oversized coffee mug in his hand before she continues babbling on. "Did you sleep at all? You have massive black bags under your eyes!" Merideth says, softly gripping my chin and staring intently at my face. Far out, this is a lot for first thing in the morning.

I glance at the man behind Merideth, who wordlessly mouths the word "sorry" to Enzi and me. The sheepish look on his face makes me smile.

"She looks beautiful," Enzi whispers.

"Suck up," Merideth groans, and I laugh out loud at that.

"He's your mate?" I blurt out, pointing to the Enzi look-a-like with a tip on m