Page 33 of The Billionaire Alpha Surrogate

“You would be pretty hard to beat,” Lucy replied. “You are pretty great.”

“Thank you. You’re just saying that because I cook your meals.”

“Yeah. A good rule of thumb is to never upset the person who could kill you with a little pinch of that or a dash of this.”

“If I was a violent person, which I’m not… But if I was, it would be very stupid of me to kill someone with poisoned food. It would be too obvious. I would have to strangle them or suffocate them,” Vera said. “I couldn’t use a knife or gun because I can’t stand the sight of blood.”

Lucy laughed. “Thanks for the heads up.”

Rose bustled into the kitchen a minute later. She had the same beautiful eyes that Micah did. It was clear that he got his good looks from his mother’s side of the family.

She hugged Vera and pecked a kiss on her cheek before looking at Lucy. “I’m Rose. I’m so excited to meet you.”

“You as well.” Lucy offered her hand but Rose pulled her into a hug.

“We’re practically family,” Rose said. “I hope you’re hungry. The Bella Vita has the best Italian food I’ve ever had and they give huge portions.”

“Sounds great,” Lucy said.

“Tell me all about yourself,” Rose said as they headed toward the restaurant.

Lucy wasn’t sure that she could. She was too busy holding onto the oh-shit handle. Rose drove like a NASCAR professional driver. Lucy was certain that they were at least ten miles an hour above the speed limit. Rose cut corners hard. Lucy was afraid they were on two wheels going around one right turn. Stop signs seemed to be just a suggestion, and Rose enjoyed playing chicken with the traffic lights.

As soon as Rose pulled into the parking spot, Lucy unbuckled her seatbelt and jumped out of the car. She wasn’t one for theatrics, but Lucy had the sudden urge to kiss the ground.

After they ordered lunch, Rose said, “You were telling me about yourself?”

Lucy told her about her life in the shifter world and her family. She didn’t mention anything about Leo or Ashley. It was funny. They had once been so important in her life, but she never even thought about them anymore, as though they never existed.

Rose regaled Lucy with stories about Micah and some of his antics. She confirmed that he had his mansion drawn out since he was a little boy and she never could convince him that he couldn’t have a room for a motorcycle and a horse.

“I have plenty of things to tease him about,” Lucy said.

Rose studied Lucy’s face. “He is a great guy, isn’t he?”

Lucy blushed. It was almost as if Rose could read Lucy’s soul and see that Lucy was developing feelings for Micah.

“He is pretty amazing. You would think that a man who has billions would be focused on driving fancy cars, throwing lavish parties, and having a yacht somewhere. If a person didn’t know better, they would think that Micah was just like everyone else.”

“I did a great job raising him,” Rose said. “He says that you are going to be a part of the baby’s family and that you plan on spoiling the baby.”

“That’s the aunt’s job. To be there as a friend, as a guide, and to spoil the child rotten.”

“It’s a grandma’s job, too,” Rose said. “There’s no time like the present. Let’s go shopping.”

“I’m not even pregnant yet,” Lucy said. “Isn’t it a little early?”

“No. It’s never too early.”

Lucy was exhausted by the time Rose had dragged her through, what seemed like, a million stores. Rose bought stuffed animals, a mobile, and clothes.

“I got the clothes a little big because Micah was a huge baby. If they are too big for the baby when it’s born, the baby will grow into them.”

“How huge?” Lucy asked, a little bit of fear creeping into her voice.

“Don’t worry about it. You’re a wolf shifter. You won’t have any problems,” Rose said.

“Um, actually, I’m a bear shifter,” Lucy said.

---