“I have, but that’s not why I’m here today. I wished to speak to you.”
I haven’t seen Arlo for some time. Anders and Jamie told me he visits the cafe often to check in. It worried me at first. Arlo is still an enforcer of the TTA, after all. He hounded Anders for a time until Anders finally registered with the TTA, but he proved himself an ally. I do wonder why he helped Anders stay sane when he was losing himself to berserker rage. I’ve never asked.
Arlo sets aside his book. There’s a handsome, shirtless man on the cover. “Really? Color me intrigued!” He flashes me a grin.
The words are stuck in my throat, reminding me of the time I dared myself to swallow a chicken bone whole to impress my brothers. Father was not impressed.
Why in Odin’s name would Arlo ever say yes to such a proposal?
I’ve got to ask. Anything to keep my brothers off Soren’s trail. “Would you like to come over for dinner tonight? My timeline.”
Arlo’s mouth pops open in surprise. “Oh. Well, I—” He cuts his gaze away, clearing his throat. “Your aunt’s cooking is delightful but I’d rather not impose… or see Gunnar.”
I wince, wishing I’d anticipated that. “I would not ask if it were not important, Arlo. And this is important.Urgently. I—I need you to pretend that we’re… what’s the word? Dating.”
Arlo spits out his coffee. Coughing, he thumps himself on the chest. “Hold on, hold on! Listen, darling, it’s not that you aren’t attractive. You’re one hundred percent my type. But why in the bloody fuck would I say yes?”
Ah, I’d feared this. “My aunt’s cooking?”
“Nope. I’m sorry but not even your aunt’s delicious food could tempt me into sitting at a table with your brother after he rejected me in front of all of you. You would have to offer me something truly—” He pauses, eyes going wide. “Wait a moment. This is brilliant!”
Thoroughly confused, I ask, “Aye? How?”
Arlo jumps up and paces, chin in his hand. He murmurs soundlessly to himself, nodding every once in a while. “Yes, this is just what I need.” He spins around on his heels to face me. “Fine. I’ll pretend to be your date on one condition only.”
I don’t like the sound of that. What could a witch want with me?
“What is it?”
“You must pretend to be mine as well. My sister is getting married this spring. The whole coven will be there. I’ll be your date if you’ll be mine at the wedding.”
“Is it a custom in this time to bring a mate to a family wedding?”
He huffs. “Just mine. It’s essential to my research that I bring a date.”
“Your research? What does that have to do with a wedding?”
He shakes his head. “It’s a secret. I’d rather not discuss it until I’m certain it’s ready. Trust me when I say that my research could benefit shifters greatly—including your family. But that’s only if you come to the wedding.”
I fail to see the connection between his sister’s wedding, my pack, and his research, but my father taught me to always return favors when I can.
“Agreed.”
Arlo claps his hands together, smiling brightly. “Oh, marvelous!” He pulls out his phone. “What’s your number? Text me all the details, and I’ll see you later tonight.”
We exchange numbers. Arlo goes back to reading, looking happy as a pig in slops while I’m wondering just what in Loki’s name I’ve gotten myself into now.
The time to meet for dinner arrives. Usually, I love nothing more than gathering with my brothers and their mates for our weekly meal. Between Wulfric and Kieran’s duties as Alpha and Alpha-Mate and Anders’s duties to work andfamily, we’ve had to set aside time for us to gather together. Aunt Helga makes her delicious venison roast, freshly caught by Gunnar. Kieran and Wulfric cook a hearty vegetable stew. Anders and Jamie bring these sweet, delicious things called pastries from their time.
It’s a time I always look forward to… except for tonight. I’ll be amazed if Gunnar doesn’t kill me before the night is over. Arlo is an attractive man, but he can’t compare to Soren, and yet I must pretend that we’re courting.
Worst of all, I’ll have to see Anders and Wulfric doting on their mates, happy and in love, while the only man I truly need is far away in a whole other time.
It hits me that Soren will never be able to sit at our table. I’ll have to hide him like some filthy secret, when that couldn’t be further from what he means to me. He makes me happy. Even after all these years and the loss of his memories, nothing could take away my feelings for him. My family will never understand how I feel. They’ll never accept him.
It breaks my heart and makes me wonder how I’ll even manage a smile tonight.
“Yoo-hoo, Lyall!”
