Page 15 of Guarded By an Alien Hunter

Dad continues to adore Vander. And my Dad never liked Brett from the very first moment they met. He further hated my ex-fiancé for talking me into moving away and when he cheated on me…that was the death knell. But Dad thinks Vander is the best thing since sliced bread.

Mom likes Vander too.

Apparently, they invited him to their mansion for a meeting when he first arrived in town, and they’ve been impressed ever since. In fact, mom calls me late each night and asks about him. We can’t talk about the trial, but she loves to chat about my new blue-skinned bodyguard.

“How's it going, honey?” she asks on her nightly call. “You getting along good with Vander Best? It seems like you two spend a lot of time together.”

I always play dumb. “What are you talking about, Mom?”

“Well, you know, your dad really likes him.”

“Um, Vander is my bodyguard. He's a professional. This is just a job.”

“Okay, that's fine. But you know, I wouldn't mind some grandkids.”

“Mom, you already have a bunch of grandkids. Lily has three and John has four kids, and his wife is pregnant again.”

“Yeah, but I don't have any grandkids that are half…what is his species called again?”

“Zagwar. His species is from the planet Zagwar and they are called the Zagwar. Mom, stop it.”

“You know, I just really like talking about this. It’s interesting. And I’m thrilled that he’s keeping you safe so you can stay on that jury that’s so important to you. I’m proud of you for standing up to that asshole who was trying to scare you into stepping down.”

“And I’m grateful that you and Dad hired Vander so I can stay on that jury. Without that extra security, I would’ve had to step down.”

“No problem, baby, we have the money so why not use it for something good? And speaking of something good, I’ve got another question about Vander Best. He's not going back to his home planet after this assignment, is he? He's planning on moving here, right?”

“I don't know. He does seem to really like it here. He's mentioned staying.”

“Oh good. That's all I need to know. Tell them that you're not leaving San Francisco to move with him to his home planet.You've done that before and you're not leaving. You can visit, but you’re living here.”

“I have already told him that,” I admit.

“Ah-ha. I knew it. I knew there was something going on there between the two of you.”

“It might be nothing, Mom, so don't get your hopes up high. We have to remain professional during this assignment, while I’m working on this trial. And then afterwards…well, you know I don’t exactly have a great track record of men following through with what they say they want with me.”

“Vander isn’t Brett,” she reminds me.

“That’s what Shelby says,” I mutter.

“Because it’s true.”

“I still think it’s a good idea for me to not get my hopes up too high in case this turns out to be nothing.”

“Okay… You know you could get married in our backyard. I offered this to both your siblings and they said no, which broke my heart because that’s where your dad and I got married.”

“Mom, stop it. I’ve got to go.”

“All right, I'm getting off. Good luck and tell Vander that your dad and I are thrilled knowing that you are safe. I know that nothing's going to happen to my girl while she's out there being brave and trying to stand up for justice.”

My heart warms. “Thanks, Mom.”

“Bye, honey.”

I end the call and hear a creaking noise in the hallway. Great. Vander was in his bedroom the whole time I was talking and is now apparently using the bathroom.

His hearing is so good, I’m certain he heard my entire conversation with my mom.

---