“Clearly not, Menace,” he chuckles. “I get the feeling that girl is probably better off. Nashville parents have a penchant for matchmaking, and not the way that Marilyn does it.”
“So forced marriages?” I ask, letting him lead me across the store.
“Pretty much,” he grunts. “I think she’s much better off finding her own way. We may be older than Caelia, but she doesn’t seem to care about our ages.”
“Agreed,” I murmur. “I think my biggest issue with Suzy and her little friend is the fact that she told me that since we’re fated to Caelia, we have no choice in the matter.”
“That’s not true,” Santo groans.“Metiches. They shouldn’t have stuck their nose where it doesn’t belong if they didn’t want your life advice.”
“I don't think what I deliver is life advice,” I laugh. “It’s more karmic fuck around and find out vibes.”
“Well, that fire she landed herself in is saving her life. I’m calling it your good deed for the day,” Santo says stubbornly. “Let's go pay for all of this, surprise our girl with her new nest, and then give her lots of orgasms.”
“What about our dinner surprise?” I remind him.
“Plenty of time in the day for that and orgasms,” Santo mutters.
“You’re right, but we have to swing by customer service for the chandelier, and I need to return the lamp,” I explain.
“I leave you for two seconds, and you find a chandelier,” he says, shaking his head as he peers at the lamp. “Keep the lamp. We'll get her both.”
Fuck yes. I think I like shopping with my pack. We’re all so focused on spoiling her that none of us care about the price tag. She deserves the world, and while it’s not all about money, it certainly helps.
26
CAELIA
“Hello?” I call out, walking into the house.
Addie and I talked for a while after brunch. She asked me about the hulking guys that spent an inordinate amount of time at the restaurant around us, and it clicked that they’re guys that I’ve met from the Scented Scorpions. I had to talk her out of yelling at them for infringing upon ‘girl time’, and explain that they were probably making sure that we didn’t have any issues.
One of my alphas also called the manager and paid for our food in advance, another sweet gesture.
I saw the cars in the driveway, which means they’re here. I initially didn’t think this house was big enough to get lost in, but now I’m rethinking that.
“How was brunch?” Santo asks, walking down the stairs to meet me.
“It was fun,” I grin. “What have you all been up to?”
“Lots,” he chuckles. “There are flowers in the kitchen for you, but you may want to come upstairs first.”
“There’s more?” I ask.
I wasn’t really planning to do more than hang out with my alphas today. I’ve never really thought much of Valentine’s Day before this, so my expectations were low.
I have a feeling I should have known better than that.
“Always, Baby Girl,” Santo murmurs, holding his hand out to me.
I think nothing of taking it and walking beside him as we climb the stairs together.
“Whose idea was it to have people camp out at the restaurant?” I ask, teasing him.
“Miles,” Santo replies, easily throwing him under the bus. “He didn’t think it would be noticeable, but he underestimated the power of gab when you haven’t seen your best friend in awhile.”
“We had a lot to catch up on,” I admit.
Addie finally gave me a little insight on what she’s been going through the last couple of months, and promised to tell me more once she can. I know what that’s like, and I’m not pushy.
