Derek was a little startled at the sudden hug and rush of emotion, though he caught her and tentatively patted her back soothingly, still a tad bit stunned at the force of her gratitude but glad he could help and make someone feel so thankful.
She kept the cheerful smile on her face, even as it became increasingly false-feeling. Isaac’s contentment poured over her, and the knowledge that it was someone else’s rasped at her. She wanted that, to belong, to be wanted — was there anywhere she was wanted? Go on, go on, she nodded, elbows and knees tucked close together, shoulders hunching, trying hard to lie to them.
Derek watched her and frowned. “What’s wrong?” he asked bluntly, hand stilling against Isaac’s head and making him perk back up to attention, looking sidelong at Summer to see if he’d done something.
She shook her head, hard and sharp, hair lashing around her face. Nothing, nothing. Why did he ask that? She was smiling, wasn’t she? Imperiously she pointed to the page, still careful not to touch either man.
They were pack. She wasn’t.