“Good.I am on my way, and I look like hell.So you know how happy that makes me.”
Ithal grinned and scrunched his shoulders.“Vaken’s aunt says she owes you.”
“Tell her I just finished the black lace-up gown she’s been waiting for.”
There was a pause as Ithal relayed it.She heard, “Alody?”
Alody laughed and looked at Vikor.“I want to hug my son.Shall we?”
Salmet tapped her com against Alody’s.“Gotcha.”
She looked at her friend and laughed.“Yes, Salmet, you got me.I work in the garment district.The fancy end.I am a seamstress.I specialize in those lace-up dresses that Drin is always wearing.I have a knack for load-bearing loops.I work for Morwithel.”
Vikor was staring at her in surprise.“You make those?”
“Sure.Making the lacing is my specialty.Evali can suck it.She only does pretty.I create sturdy.”
Vikor laughed.“You know Evali?”
Salmet grinned.“Katta was Iron’s first crush before he met Evali.They have met.”
Alody laughed.“Yeah, we’ve met.”
She signed her statement, and they left the query department.It sounded so much nicer than interrogation.
Vikor had a large vehicle waiting; with his horns, it had to have headroom.Salat and Khytten appeared and said, “We can take her.Mom, did you want to come with us?”
Salmet grinned.“Oh, yeah.I want to meet her little boy.”
Khytten looked delighted.
Alody looked at them.“Ithal is scent-sensitive.No scents of sex or friskiness, or I am going to keep your cookies for myself, Salat.”
He was holding the door for them, and he froze.He stared at her, and she grinned.“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.”
His hands started shaking, and Khytten grabbed him and shoved him into the passenger seat.“We will discuss this at the restaurant.”
Salmet laughed, and they got in the back.They buckled into five-point harnesses and were on the way.Alody rubbed the back of her neck.This was way more excitement than she was used to in the evenings.She was getting old.
Walking up to the hostess stand brought another surprise.Her eyes went wide.“Breen?”
Breen grinned, and tears formed in her elegantly made-up eyes.“Ohmygod.Alody?”
“I know I don’t match the dress code, but I believe my son and his friend are here for dessert?”
Breen nodded.“Of course.He’s a very polite young man.”
“He has practice.”
“Can I hug you?”
“Yup.”Alody opened her arms, and Breen stepped into them.Her beauty, grace, and calm made her perfect for this kind of job.
“It has been a long time.”
“It has.”
“Where did you go?”
