Page 23 of His Protective Bear

That was something Dad had told us our whole lives. And not only that, he showed us in the way he treated our papa.

Papa smiled at dad, “And you do it so well.” There was a wealth of love and affection in his words, and even in the way they sat next to each other, barely enough space between them for an ant to get through. Gods, I prayed that in forty years and however many kids Great Urs saw to bless us with later, Sage and I still had this.

“Did you have anything in mind?” Papa asked.

I shook my head, “Nothing too difficult, though.”

“Pasta is always a winner, maybe something one pot,” Papa suggested. “Or you could do a roast, some potatoes, veggies….” He looked thoughtful, then glanced at Dad, “Maybe you can show him how to make your chicken, bacon, and spinach spaghetti.” Papa looked back at me, “It’s one of our date night favorites.”

They kept throwing out ideas, and each of them sounded more complicated than the last. I considered grabbing something from a restaurant in town. The diner obviously wasn’t an option, but I dismissed that.

I wanted to cook for Sage. He’d looked pleased when I said I would. Like he never expected me to do something like that for him.

He didn’t see it yet… but it was my job and pleasure to show him. I would do anything for him.

Chapter 11

Sage

Hunter had offered to pick me up, but I insisted on driving. I tried not to look too closely at why I felt I needed that control, but at least if it went badly, I could get in my car and leave. Way to be optimistic, Sage.

Hunter is nothing like him. Everything he did, every moment I spent with him, made that clearer, but my brain sometimes had a hard time remembering that. But Hunter didn’t seem to get annoyed when I had those moments of doubt. He was truly patient with me.

I sighed as I looked at my reflection in the mirror and considered wearing shorts. Our date was supposed to be at his house after all. I looked down at the light grey chinos and denim shirt. Was it too much?

I nibbled on my nails, trying to decide what to wear when the second reminder alarm went off.

Damn it. That alarm meant changing one last time was out of the question.

“Ready or not,” I muttered.

I sat on the bed and put my Vans on. I grabbed my messenger bag and was about to leave the room when I shut the door and leaned against it.

I ran my hands over my face and blew out a breath. Was I supposed to be reacting to another alpha like this? Was I in over my head?

I bit down on my lip and closed my eyes. I deserved to be happy, and Hunter made me happy. Did I have to have everything figured out right now?

With that thought tucked away, I opened the door and hurried down the stairs. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see my parents and brother in the front room. I should have known they would be hanging out here at this time.

“You look berry nice, Sagey,” my baby brother Clay said. Very sounding like berry because he’d lost his two front teeth.

“Thanks, Clay.” I ruffled his hair, and he groaned, leaning away and straightening his hair. He was getting so big.

“Where are you off to, son?” Papa inquired with a smile on his face. I bet he already knew.

“To Hunter’s,” I tried to say it nonchalantly, but it didn’t work.

“Reallyyyy.” Papa drew the word out, and his eyes lit up.

I tried not to roll my eyes, but I was also excited. “Yeah, just for dinner, it’s not a big deal.”

“It is,” Papa said. But I saw my dad nudge him lightly.

“So things are going well?” Dad checked.

“They’re going,” I said, “but you guys shouldn’t expect too much. It’s just dinner.”

“Not the first date this week.” Papa wasn’t very subtle. “But the first at his place,” he added.

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