I dared not hope, but here he was, just in time for my mating party.
Thateveryonewas here for, including my elderly grandfather, who never completely got over my father’s death. Sure, myfather was the odd one, preferring to be a scientist instead of a businessman, but he’d definitely been a favorite.
And my mother…
…no, she’d be so happy. She missed him. She was lonely. I saw it last night.
Something feels… unsettled.
I sucked in a breath. Oh. We had him back.
“Spencer, are you all right? Where’s Evan?” My cousin, Zoie, ducked into the room, looking like a garden goddess in her floral gown.
“That was him; he’s on his way.” I stood, putting my phone in my pocket. I’d sent him to get Grace’s ring because in my nervousness I’d forgotten it at the house. Thank goodness I had.
“Yeah, you’re not okay. What happened?” She leaned against the doorway of the luxury mansion my grandfather had rented for the weekend.
I have my father back.
“I got some unexpected news. Not bad news, just unexpected. Everything will be fine,” I assured her.
“Okay.” Her look said that she didn’t believe me.
They’d all gotten in yesterday. I’d brought Grace over for breakfast to meet them. Just as I’d thought, they loved her.
“I’m nervous,” I admitted.
“It’s okay to love again, Spence.” Zoie came into the room and hugged me. “Honestly, I’m so happy that you found someone. What happened to Elaris was awful, and I know you miss her. You always will. But it wasn’t your fault. You’re a good man and worthy of love.”
“Thank you.” I hugged her back. We’d always been close. My omega cousin now had a powerful pack of her own and an excellent position in one of our family’s companies.
“I also adore Grace. She’s a little odd, but I love her. I can’t wait to take her and Evan to the Temple of Artemis this summer.” Zoie smiled.
“Grace is quite excited to make that pilgrimage with you,” I told Zoie. “I should finish getting ready.”
“Here.” She brought out a box. “You’re supposed to wear the cufflinks.”
The box contained the hideous cufflinks that we all wore for our weddings and mating parties. Here I hoped to get away with not wearing them this time.
Zoie replaced my cufflinks with the family ones. I got out the vest, tie, and pocket square I’d bought at Faun to match Grace’s dress.
“You look perfect.” Zoie straightened my tie and smoothed my shirt.
“You do. You know, after doing some research and seeing the area, I think I really am going to take over that State Street project and make it a multi-use artist colony.” My cousin Daphne appeared in the doorway, in a stunning purple dress.
“I think you should,” I replied. While Zoie was small, curvy, and soft, my theta cousin Daphne was tall, muscular, and angular. She was a real estate developer, focused on projects that created more spaces for art–both studio space for artists and performance spaces, and was a force of nature. I was looking forward to introducing her to Riley.
I still wasn’t sure how exactly Daphne would take over the project, but this was a woman who somehow convinced the Greek government to let her renovate a historic theatre so that plays could be held in it once again. If anyone could do it, it would be her.
My phone buzzed. I sucked in a breath. Evan and my father were almost here. Also, it looked likeallof Grace’s siblings had come for the party.
“What’s wrong?” Daphne demanded.
“Evan’s here.” I put my jacket on.
“Something’s wrong, but he won’t tell me.” Zoie pouted.
I shook my head as I looked in the mirror and fixed my hair. “Nothing’s wrong. The news wasn’t bad, just unexpected.”
