“I know my cooking is good, but I doubt that’s what made you want to talk to me—especially about Randy’s background. Why did you decide to tell me?”
She let out a long breath. “Like I said, Randy likes you. But you’re right, too. This hurts him to talk about.”
She looked up at the sky. “I love my brother. I want to see him happy. Something inside says he might find that with you. But you’re facing a minefield of emotions that you didn’t know were there. Telling you about his past doesn’t give you a map, but it might help you figure out what signs to look for.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
She turned to me. “He probably guessed that this was what I wanted to talk to you about. But if he brings it up himself, you had better act as if it’s the first time you’ve heard about it.”
I shook my head. “I won’t lie to him. But I will listen to every word and hold him through the pain.”
She studied me for several seconds, then nodded. “I don’t know if I’m entirely happy with that answer, but I’ll respect it.”
She pushed off from the boulder and brushed the dirt from her jeans. “Now… I expect you to be on time this afternoon.”
I blinked. “For what?”
“For Yazzy’s gender reveal.”
“I wasn’t invited.”
She glared at me. “I just invited you.”
I thought about it for a few seconds, then shook my head. “Sorry, but it’s not up to you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not allowed to invite people to my own house? Or is it that you don’t want to be seen with him?”
“It’s not that. I won’t go unless Randy wants me there.”
Her gaze softened, but was still guarded. “Explain.”
A sad smile crossed my face. “If it was up to me, the whole world would know that he’d allowed me to court him. But his opinion matters, too. We talked, and he wanted to take things slow. He was ok with me telling my friends and coworkers—who’d known I was interested in him. However, he wanted to be quiet about it on his end.”
I scrubbed a hand down my face. “Showing up with me at his side at a family party is a big deal. It’s throwing him into the deep end without knowing if he’s ready to swim.”
“Besides,” I added, “it’s not just you. Isn’t this party for your mate and your new baby? Is that really the time for my introduction? We both know that me just being there will pull the focus from them. So… I’ll go, but only if Randy wants it.”
Her gaze lingered on me for what felt like an eternity before she released a long breath and nodded. “You’re right. But you know the kids will talk.”
I shrugged. “Kids will be kids. Hell, maybe they’ll help everybody warm up to the fact that Randy’s with somebody again.”
She fell silent again, then nodded. “Maybe I can talk Randy into a family dinner or something. Fewer people, low-key.”
“That’s probably closer to what he’s ready for.”
She chuckled. “I came out here expecting to tell you about Randy’s past and lay down the law. But you’re pushing back in unexpected ways.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
She shook her head. “Part of me expected a fight. Not the physical kind, but…”
“The alpha ego kind?” I asked after a few seconds.
“Yeah.”
I let out a chuckle. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m in full protective mode. I view Randy as my omega and will keep him safe. But that includes his emotions. Right now, the best way I can do that is listen to your side as his family, and honor the things he and I have already talked about.”
She cocked her head to one side. “And breakfast?”
