“Hey, where’s everyone?” Grayson asked, hanging up the kids’ jackets.
“Sirius and Alphonso are in the kitchen making up, and I don’t know where everyone else is.”
“Making up? What the hell did Alphonso do now?”
“Why do you think it was me?” They turned just as Alphonso and Sirius walked into the foyer.
“Because you’re always doing something to piss me off,” Sirius answered. “I think you do it on purpose.”
Alphonso smirked, giving Sirius and anyone else watching the couple his true intentions. He pulled Sirius in his arms, pecking him on his upturned cheek. “I love the look in your eyes when I get you all riled up.” His mate blushed, then buried his face in the other man’s chest.
Smooth, baby brother.
“These two can’t ever seem to keep their hands off each other,” Grayson mumbled beside him.
“Says the man who chased after his mate until he caught him,” another said.
Both Grayson and Alistaire looked over their shoulders to see Moniqué, Grayson’s twin sister, had entered the house without either of them realizing it.
“Hey, sis.” Grayson went to help her with Carolina, adding another child to the mix.
“Unca Al,” Carolina ran over and hugged his leg when she realized he was in the room.
“Hey, little one.” He reached down and picked her up, cradling her in his arms as he’d done with Brigid.
“So, why are we here?” Moniqué asked.
“Your guess is as good as the rest of ours.” Alphonso leaned over to kiss Carolina on her cheek. “Grandma simply sent a message stating we all had to be here for family dinner.”
“Kind of funny there’s no dinner and no Nana around,” Moniqué added.
“But that’s nothing new,” Grayson said. “She’s been...she’s been acting weird.”
“That I can agree with.” Alphonso shoved his hand in his pocket. “She came to my office the other day and said she needed to talk with me about something, but before we could get started, she jumped up and left like she was in a hurry.”
“You guys realize Nana is always in a rush.” Grayson crossed his arms over his chest. “She is the town’s matchmaker after all. Her acting weird is normal.”
Everyone but Alistaire nodded. He was still getting to know his adopted grandmother, who was nice, but a bit of a busybody. In the months he’d been in town, he’d watch her in the shadows trying to play matchmaker for everyone she came in contact with...well, not everyone. For some reason, Alistaire hadn’t been on her radar. He wasn’t sure if he should worry or be ecstatic about the situation.
“She looked a bit weird the other day when I saw her at the hospital,” Sirius said.
“That’s nothing new. Nana sometimes goes to see Calista,” Moniqué told them. “Cordell told me Calista and Nana are helping the new mayor of Valleywood coordinate and hire a new hospital administrator.”
“What happened to the old mayor?” Grayson asked.
“He died,” a new voice answered. “And before you ask, the sheriff quit, so they’ll be looking for a new one as well.”
Everyone turned and looked at the newcomer, realizing they were all still standing in the foyer.
“Mom, where’s Nana?” Grayson asked.
“She’s on her way home. Your grandmother had to stop by the Chef’s Corner to take care of dinner.”
“Okay, this must be bad if we’re having take out on a Sunday,” Grayson said. “Mom, you know what this is all about, don’t you?”
“Of course I do, but it’s not for me to say.” Katarina smiled, then shooed everyone out of the foyer and into the family room. Alistaire nodded and went to pass by her, but she stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You’re conflicted right now, but everything will be clear soon. Don’t stop believing in love, Alistaire. Keep an open mind and try not to figure everything so quickly. Learn to enjoy this phase of your life so you can live in the next.”
“Why are you saying all of this to me?”
