“I haven’t seen Dilen in a couple of days. I’ve actually been staying out of the office this week.”
“Still trying to hide from all the single women in your department?” Sirius chuckled at his expense.
Alistaire had been staying out of the station, not wanting to deal with his coworkers, always trying to ask him out for drinks or hoping to set him up with someone they knew. It wasn’t like he was the only single guy in the department, but he was the new captain in town who was perfect mate material.
“Shut up,” Alistaire grumbled.
“I told you being the new town’s grouch isn’t a turnoff. It makes you even more attractive. To them, you’re fixable material.”
“Fixable, seriously?” Alistaire rolled his eyes.
“Yup. Do you even pay attention to the gossip around town?”
“Why would I care about town gossip?”
“Because it’s about you.”
“I still don’t care.”
“Gods, you’re impossible like your brother. Don’t you want to know what they are saying?”
“Not really? As long as people know I’m not looking for a mate, then they can say whatever the hell they want about me.”
“And that right there is what makes you fixable,” Sirius said, finished off his sandwich. “It’s a wonder Rosemary hasn’t used her match-making skills on you yet.”
Alistaire chuckled. “I’m not the only single person in town.”
“No, but watch your back. She’s pretty good at butting in and giving you advice when you least expect it.”
“Aye, I’ll keep an eye out.” Alistaire looked down at his watch. “So, where’s your mate and the rest of the clan?”
“I have no clue. Just like you, I was told to be here for dinner. But as you can see, it’s just us for now.”
Just as Alistaire was about to speak, the back door opened, and Tamia ran right up to Sirius.
“Daddy Siri, guess what?”
Everyone in the Vale family knew Sirius was Tamia’s favorite person. No one mattered when her eyes were zeroed in on him.
“What? What’s got you so excited?” Sirius picked Tamia up, placing her on his lap just as Alphonso entered with baby Brigid. Alistaire stood, and like an excited kid, he took Brigid from his brother’s arms—peppering her chubby cheeks with kisses and making her giggle.
“I’m going to be on T.V.,” Tamia squealed.
“Really?” Sirius’s tone caused Alistaire to stop kissing Brigid and look at his younger brother, who had beads of sweat on his face.
Alistaire turned and looked at Sirius and noticed the smile on his face wasn’t genuine. However, the daggers that were being thrown at Alphonso were deadly, and Alistaire felt for his little brother.
“Ah-huh...I’m going to be on T.V. with unca Kissy.”
“Really?” Sirius said again, and Alistaire had the urge to step back, sending prayers up to the gods to spare his brother’s life.
Everyone in the family found it adorable little Tamia wanted to be an actress. She enjoyed pretending and playing out parts to her favorite movies. However, Sirius felt Tamia was way too young to really know what she wanted to do and she would soon change her mind once something new caught her eyes, so he tried not to encourage or discourage his daughter.
On the other hand, Alphonso, who worked with child actors as an entertainment lawyer, felt certain his daughter had already made up her mind, and it was up to her parents to encourage her desire. However, they both agreed Tamia wouldn’t do any kind of acting until Sirius was comfortable with the idea.
“It’s not...I mean...I told her it would be okay if you said yes.”
Oh damn, he’s so dead. Even I know he shouldn’t have said that.
