He patted his belly. “I need to talk to Mom again.”
“We’ll invite her for…” Ev tilted his head, then grinned. “Brunch. Your mom seems like the brunch type.”
“She really does, doesn’t she? I think she would like that. Cinnamon rolls and fruit and lots of yummy stuff that doesn’t involve meat. Not that we won’t have bacon and sausage or something like that for you.”
“You eat your share of it, even though you’re Mr. Plant-based Dragon.” It was hilarious when he was teasing. Corbin loved the way his eyes crinkled up when he smiled. And those beautiful lips curved. In fact, he loved most everything about Evander.
The occasional bouts of stubbornness, and the way he ran off with his father and brothers every once in a while, just about the time Corbin was ready to have a breakdown, that was less endearing. But his dad assured him that all couples had a few things that annoyed each other because that was necessary. No one could be syrupy sweet all the time.
“I do, but Mom, not so much, and we need to remember to put some edible flowers out for her too.”
“That sounds great.” Evander waggled his eyebrows. “I would rather eat that than grass.”
“You are so weird. I don’t eat grass.” Well, he did eat wheat grass, or he did grind it up and put it in smoothies, which he had to laugh about every time he thought of those because Evander had taken one sip and gagged. Yogurt, wheat grass, peanut butter, and ginger was not something Evander cared for.
But that didn’t matter. What mattered was that they were together and they were happy. He really needed to talk to his mom because his stomach just gurgled and he thought he heard laughter.
“We’ll invite her then, for a meal and a hug, then she can visit with the grandbabies afterward.” He liked it, having a plan.
It had to be easier than worrying about triplets.
Chapter
Eighteen
Evander wasn’t a hundred percent sure what had changed in Corbin’s head or heart regarding his mother, but for the first time since he had known his mate—and for the first time in Corbin’s history, according to his brothers—there was no stress about his mother coming to visit.
The table looked lovely, of course, festooned with spring flowers and delicious pastries along with rashers of bacon and sausages kept well over to the side. Teacups and cloth napkins and delicate plates that Cullen had provided from his house completed the look, which was feminine and fussy and floral.
The plan was they were going to meet privately, just them, and then everyone would join the feast.
“It looks good, I think.” Corbin glanced over the table with a smile, and Evander nodded because it looked perfect and lovely.
Not as lovely as his lethean, however.
Corbin was adorable. He wore a white tunic lined with orange and a pair of voluminous orange trousers. On anyone else, the effect might be comical, but on Corbin, it was quite lovely, contrasting with his green skin, and he knew that if Corbin was comfortable, he was happy.
An uncomfortable Corbin was problematic at best. At worst, it was a disaster, as things would grow out of places they had no business growing, and the plants could be… carnivorous.
He chuckled at the idea, drawing a slight frown from Corbin. “What?”
“I was thinking of the plant you last summoned, lethean. It was quite a thing.”
Corbin grinned. “True enough. Cullen is so much safer, huh? He just does illusions.”
“But he’s not you, my love.”
“No, I am unique. I won’t say in all of the world because Mother and I do share a gift.”
Evander looked at his belly teasing. “Apparently you share more than one talent.”
“Don’t make me hurt you.”
One of the African violets above the kitchen window actually seemed to lean in and snap at him.
“Noted. No hurting.” He looked at the violet and bared his teeth at it. “None. I don’t wanna have to make candy of you.”
“Don’t threaten the flowers, dear. It makes them grumpy.” Lady Calla floated in with a smile, stroking said African violet gently along the edge of its petals, and the thing literally vibrated and welcomed her.
