“Oh, just a little place down in Forestville. Did you know Forestville has a rare bookstore? I promised Mildred I’d try to track down a special edition. You know what her collection is like. I got the bus to SVU. It was no trouble.”
“Would you mind giving my gram a ride into town, Frank?” I ask him. “If you’re not too busy, obviously.”
“Not at all.” He straightens, puffing up his chest before he takes off his hat and bows. “In fact, it would be an honor.”
“I don’t want to overstep,” Gram tries to decline. “Really, the bus is fine.”
“Mr. Silverwood wouldn’t hear of it!” Frank exclaims in horror. “If he knew that Miss Nightingale’s grandmother got the bus when I was around, what kind of driver would that make me?”
“Calling me a grandmother makes me feel old.” Gram playfully swats his arm, causing Frank to turn beet red. “Call me Betty, and you can tell young Mr. Silverwood that it was very thoughtful of him.” She winks at me. “I guess there are some perks to my granddaughter having a pack.”
Frank opens the car door for her, cramming a hand through the front of his hair and almost knocking his hat off.
I wave at her through the window once she’s settled. “I’ll see you tonight!”
I’m waving as the car disappears down the road when firm arms wrap around my waist, making me jump. I squeal as Damon spins me around to kiss him.
“Have you been stalking me?” I laugh against his mouth.
“I may have been waiting across the street.” He grins. “Cole insisted I keep you within viewing distance.”
“Yep, definitely stalking,” I tease.
Concern radiates from him. “Did you tell her about us?”
“It turns out, the SVU rumor mill extends all the way to Clover Hollow, thanks to Gram’s new assistant,” Hands behind his neck, I play with the shaggy strands of hair. “She took it well. Better than I could have hoped. But there is one thing. She wants to meet you all. Tonight.”
FORTY
Laz
“Just be yourself, Laz,” Mom reassures me down the phone line. “You’ll be fine.”
“Be careful not to make too much of a mess,” Dad calls out, knowing I’m a klutz.
Clearly, I’m on speaker.
“And maybe don’t mention how late you hand in your assignments,” Pops chimes in.
“Or how you get paint everywhere,” Bug adds. “And leave the toilet seat up sometimes.”
My three dads all laugh in unison. Instead of being comforted by their jokes, they’re only making me feel more on edge.
“Quit it, Gene! I remember you being nervous when you met my parents for the first time. And you barely said two words, Bob. As for you, Ray, do you want me to tell Laz what you did when you met his gramps for the first time?” Their laughter stops abruptly followed by muttered objections. “Don’t worry, Laz,” Mom says. “Faye picked you, remember? That’s about the biggest thing an omega can do. Scent matches are so rare. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, pumpkin.”
“Oh, don’t get her started,” Pops quips in the background. “She’s been flooding the house in happy tears since you told her the news.”
“So?” Mom chuffs. “My youngest son has found his scent match! I’m allowed to be happy for him.”
“Sure you are, sweetheart.” Dad’s tone is much softer, obviously trying to get back into her good books again.
“Now we just need to sort your older brothers out,” Mom sighs. “I don’t know how Beckett will find anyone while working the hours he does. And how does Forrest expect to find anyone when he spends most of his time underwater? Omegas aren’t mermaids!”
“If we’re not careful, he might scent match a turtle,” Bug chortles.
“I better go, baby,” Mom says as I hear a rustling in the background. “Your dads have almost cleaned out the fridge before I’ve even started on dinner. Good luck tonight. Keep in touch, okay? We can’t wait to see you all soon!”
“Thanks, Mom,” I reply, feeling a little better after hanging up.
