The Pearls by Michelle Farrell Page B

teeth and then her hair and made her way to the living room. As soon as she stepped out of her room she smelled the food, and once she saw all the food Kaiden got, she stood there stunned.
    The coffee table was laid out with every kind of food you could get in this small town. There was pizza, burgers, fries, cinnamon rolls, coffee, soda, and chips galore.
    “Did you buy the whole store?” She asked
    “Well, I wasn’t sure what you both like so I got everything.” Kaiden said, grinning like little boy that just got a candy bar.
    “Well , we both love food so you did really well.” Justine burst into the room and grabbed a slice of pizza, shoving it in her mouth.
    “I also grabbed some movies , in case you guys just wanted to relax today.” Kaiden said
    “Sound s like a plan.” Zoe said stuffing a burger into her mouth.
    They all ate and watched movies. Justine told them she had called both their jobs and told them to shove it, they wouldn’t be back. Kaiden told them more about Dragons and the others they needed to find. He told them about his home in Ireland and about his parents. He also told them about Charles and the half-bloods. They in turn told him about their time together and how they found each other. How they moved out here to this little town to start over and just blend in. The girls however, did not tell him too much of their past, they left out all bad things.
    They talked for hours sharing stories and talking about the Dragons. Zoe choked up when they asked her to read her papers. She did and things sunk in a lit tle more for her. At about midnight they all became quiet and lost in their thoughts. Kaiden and Zoe kept exchanging glances and eventually they all fell asleep. She woke up once to find herself curled up next to Kaiden and his arms around her. She went tense for a second and then just gave in and fell back asleep.

Chapter 13
    In the morning Kaiden and Zoe woke up in each other’s arms. Justine was on the loveseat curled up in the smallest ball she could make. Kaiden was staring at Zoe when she finally opened her eyes. She gave him a shy smile and looked away. He gently sat her up and she kicked her legs over and sat up. Her heartbeat was beating a million beats a minute, but she didn’t care she loved waking up in his arms.
    “This is all real?” She whispered to him.
    “Yes it is, and I promise you Zoe, I already love you. I have been searching for you for seven years. I was not going home until I could take you with me. You have my heart and soul, you are my everything, and I live for you now. I don’t want to scare you and I am sorry if this does, but it has just been very hard these last seven years wondering who you are and if you are safe.” Kaiden whispered back.
    Zoe felt relieved to hear his words. She was about to give in to them and then fear swept through her.
    “I have never been with someone Kaiden. I don’t know how to be a girlfriend. I have never let someone get close to me, Justine is my only friend and the only person I have let in my life. The fact that you are here scares me, but at the same time I am so happy you are. I guess what I am asking is please be patient with me?”
    “I will never hurt you , I will be as patient as you need, you were made for me, and I for you.” Kaiden whispered and kissed her hand.
    Zoe tensed at the kiss but his lips felt like heaven. She wanted to feel his lips against her own and her heart started to beat a little faster, her breathing a little faster. Her walls were crumbling around his words. She wanted to listen to her soul and let him in all the way, but her mind wasn’t willing to work that fast.
    “You know you can whisper all you want , but I can hear you. It’s all good, let’s just hope mine will be as understanding.” Justine said.
    “ He will, Justine, he was made for you” Kaiden told her
    “I didn’t think you wanted a man Justine ?” Zoe asked her confusion taking over and pushed the thoughts of