When Miguel was all dressed up and looking dapper, I smiled at my handiwork. And by my handiwork, I meant him. He grinned lopsidedly and raised his arms as if showcasing himself.
"How do I look?" he asked.
I wanted to grab him and crush my lips against his, but what I said instead was, "Wonderful."
Miguel beamed. When he smiled like that, he was positively radiant. I wanted him to know it.
"I'm serious, by the way," I said. "You're incredibly handsome. Not just tonight, but all the time."
"Thanks. You're way too nice, Daemen." He checked the time and grimaced. "Oh crap, we better get going."
"Not to worry. I'm parked outside. Hang on a moment."
Miguel paused before he ran out the door, blinking at me with his doe eyes. I ran my hand through his hair, which had flopped out of place.
"Sorry, my hair's a lost cause," he said.
I smiled and stroked it again. "Then I better stay on it."
* * *
The rehearsal dinnerwas set at a cute little banquet hall decorated with fairy lights. It wasn't extravagantly over the top or too bland and boring. Everything was just right. It gave me a good insight into the type of person Miguel's sister was.
It only took a second for us to walk into the building before a young woman saw us, squealed, then ran at Miguel like a hyperactive kitten.
"You're here!" She laughed. "And you smell like bubble bath, of course."
He grinned. "Well, duh."
Maria turned her sparkling eyes on me. She resembled him a great deal. Both were a bit on the chubby side with the same dark hair and eyes, though Maria was considerably less hairy than her brother. I liked my humans with some fur on them.
"And who is this?" Maria asked, her tone both curious and hopeful.
Miguel cleared his throat like he'd rehearsed it, though he still sounded flustered. "Daemen, this is my sister, Maria. Maria, this is Daemen. Er, actually I should sayDr.Daemen."
I stifled the urge to snort in amusement. He was obviously proud of the fact that I was a doctor even though he was still playing pretend about this whole thing.
"Pleasure to meet you," I said, smiling and shaking her hand.
Maria's jaw fell open when her brother introduced me and she hadn't picked it back up. "Wait, wait. You're a doctor? Is something wrong with my brother?"
Miguel rolled his eyes while I laughed.
"No, except that he's a bit clumsy," I said, wrapping my arm around Miguel's shoulders. "I'm actually here as his date."
Maria gasped. "You mean it worked?" she whispered to Miguel, wide-eyed.
"Er, well, kind of—"
Their conversation was cut short as three other people joined us. An older couple were obviously Miguel and Maria's parents, and I assumed the blond woman was Maria's fiancée.
Maria leapt at the opportunity to introduce me, excitedly telling her parents I was Miguel's date.
Miguel's mother was starstruck. "A doctor? Dr. Daemen, it's an honor to meet you!"
She placed both her hands on mine as she shook it eagerly. Her enthusiasm was endearing. From the corner of my eye, I saw Miguel looking relieved but also wistful.
"Well, I'll be!" Miguel's father said with a hearty chuckle. "He finally found an alpha. Not only that, but one as handsome and smart as you, Dr. Daemen!"
