When he lets go of me, he guffaws loudly, and points at Liam. “About damn time somebody locked this one down.”
“It’s not really like that,” I mumble, face warm.
“You’re making me sound like a cad, Connor,” Liam says.
Connor raises his brows. “Well, if the shoe fits, my man.”
Liam shrugs. “I was just biding my time until I found the right one.”
“Biding your time? You’re thirty years old. I think your mom had given up until you met Kara.” Connor winces and meets my gaze. “Sorry, that came out wrong. Obviously, Kara wasn’t the one. You are.”
“It’s okay.” I smile weakly. “I understand this situation is awkward for everyone. Kara was great.”
“She was,” Liam says, putting his arm around my waist. “But she wasn’t my mate.”
Dana appears and hugs me too. “Don’t let Connor’s teasing bother you. He had a girlfriend when we met. You can’t ignore the bond. It’s just impossible, and it also knows what it’s doing. All my friends who didn’t have a mating bond are now divorced, but we’re still going strong.”
“And they said it wouldn’t last.” Connor smirks.
Laughing, Dana punches his arm. “Nobody said that, you loon.”
I’m relieved that so far, most people are being cool about the situation. Of course, not everyone approaches us. Some people keep their distance, watching with curiosity or uncertainty. That’s fine. I don’t expect the whole pack to embrace me overnight. But nobody is hostile. Nobody tells me I don’t belong. And every time someone offers a handshake or a kind word, the knot in my stomach loosens a little more.
Jack finds us near the smoker where Pete is slicing brisket onto thick paper plates. He claps Liam on the shoulder and then turns to me with an easy grin.
“So, you’re officially stuck with Liam now,” Jack says. “My condolences.”
“I appreciate the sympathy,” I say, wincing when Liam elbows me.
“Why is everyone picking on me tonight?” Liam laughs. “I’m a good guy.”
“Yes, you are,” I say softly.
“Seriously though.” Jack’s voice drops and his expression warms. “I’m happy for you both. Liam’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. Kara was awesome, but I never really thought they were a great fit.”
Liam frowns. “You never told me that.”
Jack shrugs. “Well, it was your life. I worried that she was human. That can cause issues when kids come along.”
“I guess that’s true,” I say, wincing inwardly at the idea of Liam and Kara having babies.
We go to get food because that’s what everyone is doing. The brisket is incredible. Smoky, tender, with a bark that crunches when I bite into it. There’s also cornbread, baked beans, coleslaw, and a table of dessert. I eat standing up with Liam beside me, our shoulders touching.
Viv and Marco arrive a little later than us. I tense when I see them approaching through the crowd, but Viv makes a beeline for me and pulls me into a fierce hug before I can even say hello.
“You look stressed,” she says in my ear. “There’s no need.” She pulls back and holds me at arm’s length, her sharp blue eyes studying my face. “Kara was great, but so are you. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”
I laugh, running a hand over my hair. “Okay.”
“I’m over the moon happy for you two.” She frowns. “Why did you think I wouldn’t be?”
My face heats. “Mostly because… well… I can’t give you grandchildren.”
She chuckles. “My boy, modern science has ways around that now, didn’t you know?”
I grimace. “I just worried you’d be disappointed. I know you really liked Kara.”
“Yes, I did. I do.” Her expression sobers. “But you know what makes a mother happier than anything in this world, Jude?”
