Page 52 of Alistair

“Ah, okay. What else?”

“There’s a petting zoo with the most adorable baby goat. I just want to take him with me. And there’s also an aviary and bird hospital, and there’s a possibility I could work at the aviary and give talks about birds. That would mean a lot of study for me, though, since I don’t know much about birds aside from how noisy the gulls are when you’re trying to eat a sandwich on the beach.”

Alistair let out a chuckle.

“Sounds neat, honey. I’m glad that you’re finding work. But are you sure you want to work at the park when things are still so new between you and Alistair?”

“I’m very sure. He’s my forever guy, Mom.”

There was a pause, and then her mom said, “I figured. He’s very taken with you, and you’ve clearly fallen for him too. I’m happy for you. We’d love to have you both over for dinner so we can get to know him more. How’s this weekend?”

She glanced at him, and he mouthedSunday?

“How about Sunday?”

“Perfect. Let’s say six. You can bring your peanut butter pie if you’d like.”

“Oh, I haven’t made that in forever. I bet Alistair will love it.”

“It’s a favorite of ours too.” Her mom paused and then said, “Have you heard from Seth?”

“He sent flowers to my apartment. I threw them away because they were lilies.”

She made a disgusted sound. “It’s the only flower you’re allergic to! How could he keep getting it wrong?”

“I know, right? But anyway, why do you ask?”

“He showed up here last night to ask if we knew where you were, that he was worried about you. Your dad told him to take a hike, that he’d already embarrassed himself enough atthe wedding trying to say that Alistair attacked him. He made a scene after you two left; he and Brian got into a shouting match in the hall when Brian tried to calm him down. It was pretty awful.”

“I’m sorry that happened, but thanks for telling him to leave me alone. He needs to take a hint.”

“Definitely. I just wanted to make sure that you weren’t…home.”

“I’m staying with Alistair. He lives at the park, so it’s really safe and no one can get into the employee housing without a code. Plus there’s round-the-clock security.”

“Oh, wonderful. Hopefully he will take a hint and find someone else to bother. If he shows up here again, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Did I apologize for suggesting you two were out of line at the wedding? We were just caught off guard.”

“You didn’t, but it’s okay. It was pretty crazy.”

“No, it’s not okay, and I’m very sorry to both of you. I’m so glad you’re with a guy like Alistair who is protective, not a butthole like Seth.”

Maggie chuckled at her mom’s use of butthole instead of asshole.

“Thanks, Mom. Forgiven and forgotten.”

“Wonderful! Oops, Dad’s calling. I’m sure he wants to know what’s for lunch. I’ll see you Sunday, love bug. Love you!”

“Love you too.”

The call ended, and she said, “You told me the other day that shifters have great hearing, plus you’re faster and stronger than a human.”

“Yes and yes.”

“So you heard that?”

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