Page 145 of Veiled

“Ooo, what are we shopping for?” Matt asks.

“Graduation dresses, of course. Annalise’s closet is all workout gear, club clothes, or super fancy formal gowns.”

“Hey! I have normal, everyday clothes in there too!”

“Ok, fine, those too. My point is, she has absolutely nothing to wear that’s right for graduation and meeting her future in-laws.”

“Uh-huh. And what time are we doing this?”

“No, Matt, this is a girls' only shopping trip. We barely get any time together lately.”

I can see Matt already trying to think of a way to change her mind, but she’s right. Not only have we both been really busy with classes, but since Matt and Aiden started their security detail, we haven’t hung out without at least one of them around; not that she’s away from Antonio much either.

“I’ll come find you as soon as we get back,” I tell him, but he doesn't look convinced.

No one else knows about Lucas stalking me, but they haven’t needed to since I’m protected almost twenty-four seven. Aiden even shocked me by asking Matt to stay in the room with me while he’s on his missions because he doesn’t want someone breaking in overnight again.

“Why don’t you two start your girl time now while I teach these guys a thing or two about playing spoons?” Antonio suggests as he kisses Sasha on the cheek.

Once our orders are in, the table turns into a chaotic battlefield of flying cards, trash talk, and way too many spoons hitting the floor as the guys throw down.

Sasha starts catching me up on some of the projects she’s been working on in class, and to only her surprise, she’s already been asked to assist with Arcane Healing once Delta Company starts their tracks.

We laugh at the sudden silence that crashes over our table when the food arrives, the guys all digging in like they’d been starved.

Looking around our table, I can’t help but smile at the way our little group has become my family. Matt takes the bacon from my plate, I take Josh’s pickles, and Antonio feeds Sasha one of his fries that he’s been raving about.

As much as I wish Aiden were here with us, the happiness I feel right now is enough.

After my Tyr supervised morning run and stop for coffee, I make my way to the end of my hall to get my laundry before I’m gone all day.

Sasha and I ran into Emily last night when we got back from dinner, and as soon as she mentioned not having a dress for graduation yet either, Sasha was insisting she join us.

I’m just closing the door, gently in hopes I don’t wake Matt up, when my phone starts vibrating like crazy. You would have thought it was an emergency, but it was just Sasha and Emily going back and forth on how long they needed to get ready before we head into town. Considering they both sent selfies, still lying in bed, it’s decided we’ll meet in my room in an hour.

I pull out some leggings and a cute crop sweatshirt and head to the bathroom to start getting ready. It’s been warming up lately, but I want to be comfortable between the five-thousand dresses I’m sure Sasha is going to make me try on today.

After standing under the hot water for too long, blow-drying my hair so it has some volume, and getting dressed, Matt is wide awake when I come out of the bathroom.

“I really don’t like this.”

I raise an eyebrow, “It’s the same coffee you drink every day.”

“You know I’m not talking about the coffee, Lee. We don’t know who is stalking you. Aiden is gone, Tyr can’t fit between the buildings to stay with you today, and you’re not letting me come with you because I have a dick.”

I laugh and shake my head, “I’m going to be with two other people. It’s not like Lucas is going to attack me in the middle of downtown when I’m with my friends.”

“Maybe he won’t try to hurt you physically, but you know as well as I do that there is still plenty he could do. He’s already broken into your room once before, and it’s not like your anklet just walked away on its own. I just need you safe, Lee.”

The vulnerability in his voice kills me, and I melt into him just a little. “I am safe, big guy. I’ll bring a dagger and everything. Plus, Emily is coming, remember? She’s a total badass.”

I hear him giving in as he sighs, “Fine. But message me every once in a while to let me know you’re ok, please?”

“I will. I promise.”

We sit and drink our coffee, a little tension still lingers in the air, but neither of us acknowledges it. A couple of minutes later, there’s a soft knock on the door.

“It’s open!” I call.