To a human, we weren’t normal. Even to other shifters, my family was eccentric because we breathed fire.
“We’re dragons, Dad. Mythical beasts according to human legend.”
“I’ll tell him you’re a good kisser.” My cousin grinned.
I let my dragon appear in my eyes, but Garrett wasn’t intimidated. “You have no idea what kind of kisser I am.”
“Neither will Pax if you don’t get a move on.” My aunt dabbed at her lips with a napkin.
Pops patted my arm. “We’re trying to help, sweetheart, because we want you to be happy.”
“I know.” I unclenched my jaw. “And I love you for it, but I need to do this my way.”
“Your way’s taking forever.” Garrett bit into a corn cob.
I tossed a roll at his head, but he ducked.
The next morning I was at the lumber yard picking up materials for Pax’s porch when my phone rang. It was Dad.
“What’s up?”
“I ran into your mate.” He wasn’t a good fibber, and my spidey senses picked up that this was no accident.
Shit, what did he do? How did he even know what Pax looked like? I sighed because in this town, someone would have pointed him out. Or Dad was stalking my mate-to-be.
“He’s a nice kid and very polite. We got to talking outside the hardware store.”
I cringed. “Dad, what did you do?”
“I invited him to your cousin Stephen’s birthday party on Saturday. There’ll be cake.”
I nearly dropped the phone. “You invited him to a five-year-old’s birthday party?”
“It’s a low-key family gathering. There’s no pressure, and he seemed excited about it.”
Somehow I doubted that.
“He said yes, and I gave him your aunt and uncle’s address. See you Saturday at two.”
I stood in the lumber yard with the phone in my hand, trying to decide whether to be furious or grateful.
This is good. My dragon ignored my family’s antics and decided Pax would fall into our arms at the party.
I called Dad back, but he didn’t pick up. Next was Pops.
“Stephen is so excited he’ll have a new friend at the party.”
I rolled my eyes. A five-year-old was thinking another guest meant more presents.
“Pops, you have to make sure the family doesn’t ask weird questions.”
“Why would they do that?”
I raked my fingers through my hair. “Tell them not to say things like how good we’d be together.”
Next I texted Garrett and told him what was happening.I need you to run interference.
This is going to be so much fun.
