“Guests?”
“Yeah, and I think you should invite the guys over for dinner too. I can call Maya and Sadie, but can you drop into Kailyn’s office and ask her to come?”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“The boy’s going to lose his mind if he doesn’t know you’re safe,” I hear in the background. I know that voice. It’s my father.
“My dad’s there!” I exclaim.
“And your mom,” Remmi adds. “Oh, and when I opened the door, I was on the phone with my mom, and she and Dad are coming over. They want to meet them and you.”
“Babe—” I try to interject, but Remmi keeps going.
“I have dinner planned. I have enough for everyone, but it would be good if you could pick up some wine and have everyone come for around sixish.”
“Remmi—” I try again, to no avail.
“I know, I know, this is all last minute, but it seems like impromptu parties are what we do at Storm, so why not?” Her voice rises. “Your parents are excited to see your friends again, and my parents want to meet your parents. And it feels wrong not to invite Mina, so I called her, and she’s going to be coming as well. She has court, though, and will be arriving a little later.”
“Remmi!” I call out her name a little more sharply to get her attention.
“Wire?” she replies with a bite to her tone.
“Babe, if I have to invite the guys, then I’d better get off the phone and do that. I’ll try to get out of here shortly and come home to help out.”
“Oh, okay,” she returns sweetly. “We’re having homemade pizzas and salads, and I have it under control. Your mom is helping.”
“Mom’s like that. She needs to have something to do. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“Love you, honey.”
“Love you too,” I respond. I glance over at Falcon. “You’re expected for dinner. My parents made a surprise visit. No doubt my mother decided she wasn’t going to wait any longer to meet Remmi.”
“Your mother’s a force of nature,” Falcon says with a chuckle.
“Remmi’s parents are going to be joining us as well. And Mina too, whenever she gets off work.” Falcon raises his brows when I mention Mina’s name. I’d love to know what’s going on between the two of them. Falcon and Mina seem to do their best to avoid one another, but every once in a while, I see Falcon staring at her with brooding eyes. I know better than to ask because he’ll change the subject.
“Better tell the others, then get the hell home. I’ll make sure Kailyn makes the flight reservations,” he says. “I’ll see you tonight.” He turns on his heel and saunters out.
I catch Rebel and Bull together in the break room and tell them the plans for the night. I also mentioned that Falcon and I will fly out tomorrow to check out the Capone family and their possible connection with Maria and Franco.
“I can go if you want more time with Remmi,” Rebel offers.
“Thanks, but no. We need to move forward, and that means getting used to the idea that I’ll be away from time to time,” I reply. “I’d appreciate it if you would both check in with Remmi. I think she’d find it reassuring.”
“You got it,” Bull responds, while Rebel nods.
I leave them to find Phoenix, who is with Kailyn in her office. I can hear her speaking to the airline company. Obviously, Falcon spoke to her.
Phoenix anticipates my invitation. “I hear the party is at your place tonight.”
“Yeah. Homemade pizza is on the menu. Mom and Dad are there, and Remmi’s parents are coming. The entire family is coming,” I say with a smile.
“Mina too, from what I hear.” Phoenix jerks his head toward Falcon’s office with a sly smirk.
“Like I said, the whole family. Mina means a lot to Remmi. She has stuck with Remmi through it all and is more of a sister than a friend. If she’s important to Remmi, then she’s important to me. Although, I wish Falcon and Mina would get along.” I shake my head.
Kailyn puts her hand over her phone, giggles, then says, “Really? Can’t you see the sparks flying between the two of them? They like each other and are too stubborn to admit it.”
