Page 52 of Shark 2

“I got a new job,” I told her to change the subject. “I’m working at Gina’s now.”

“Twins told us,” she said and smirked. “They give me updates knowing you won’t. That means you come by more, yes?”

“Yes,” I said and nodded.

“Good.”

“Hello,” Dad said as he walked out of the back, wiping his hands on a towel. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” I replied and walked over to hug him. “How are you?”

“Old,” he said and sighed. “Good thing the twins help.”

“Yes, I’m glad they’ve been helping you.” It really did take a huge weight off my shoulders to know they were here.

“Speaking of that, we have news,” Dad said. He glanced at Mom. “You tell her yet?”

Mom shook her head. “I was going to wait until you got here.”

My stomach tightened nervously. “What’s going on?”

“We are going home,” Dad said when it became clear Mom didn’t want to tell me.

“Home?” I frowned. “Are you not feeling well? Do you need me to run the shop tonight?”

“No, not our house here. Our homeland,” Mom explained. “My sister is ill and we are going to return to be with her.”

“How long will you be gone?” Since I was just starting with Gina, I could help the twins run the restaurant while they were gone without issue.

“We aren’t returning, Kassidy,” Dad said softly. “The journey is difficult and so we have decided to stay there.”

25

I blinked as I absorbed what my parents had said. “So, you’re going to return to your homeland and not return? When are you leaving?”

“In a week or so,” Mom said. “We’re finalizing the flight details still.”

My mouth dropped. “Why were you worried about me visiting if you’re leaving so soon?”

“We’d like to see you as much as we can before we leave,” she answered. Out of the side of her mouth she mumbled, “It’d be nice to see you mated before we left, too.”

“Ay, you can’t rush her,” Dad said and tsked.

“When did you guys decide on this?” I asked.

“Just a few days ago,” Dad answered. “We’ve been thinking about returning for a long time, but when we heard she was sick, we knew it was time. Plus …” He smiled. “… you’re all grown and even if you aren’t mated, you have a good support system here even if we do leave.”

“The bartender is gruff, but he good to you and can help you more than we can,” Mom said with a nod.

Taking a deep breath, I absorbed the news and asked, “What do you need me to do to help you prepare to leave? Are you selling the restaurant?”

“Well, that’s the other news,” Dad said and glanced at Mom who nodded. “We’re selling to the twins.”

My mouth dropped. “What?”

They both nodded.

“They confirmed yesterday and signed papers,” Mom answered.