Page 64 of The (Maybe) Murderer Who Knocked Me Up

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QUIN

Iclose the back doors of the van with a flourish. All the bread and cookies are now delivered, Chime is petting kittens with her alpha dad, and I have no obligations for the next few hours.

I take off my apron and get into driver’s seat. Aunt Emerald pulls a wad of cash out of her purse and fans herself with it. “Should we go shopping?”

“Oh my God, you look like a bank robber or something,” I tease.

“You mean I look rich, because I am. I have four thousand dollars here. That’s a lot of crystal goblets.” She sings the last few words, shaking the money again for emphasis.

She’s such a goofball. I’m so excited that I get to do this with her.

Someone knocks on the window of the van. I startle before looking over and seeing my omega mom.

“Right on time,” Aunt Emerald says.

“You told my mom?” I ask.

“Of course! It’s tradition.” Aunt Emerald waves at Mom. To my surprise, Aunt Chrystal and Uncle Dagger appear next to her.

I roll down my window. “What is happening right now?”

Aunt Chrystal grins at Mom. “We’re going shopping for shiny stuff.”

“But I…” I look at Mom, worried what she’ll think, now that my bond with Slade is truly taking hold.

“If you want us to go, we will,” Mom says.

“Speak for yourself,” Uncle Dagger says. “Quin’s collecting fancy goblets. That means we get to go to a bunch of antique shops.”

“Is there room for us in the back?” Aunt Chrystal asks.

They’re all smiling, like we’re about to go to Vegas or something. Their joy is infectious. Even if I’m a little nervous about what Mom thinks, I want them here.

“There are only bread racks in the back,” I say.

“Then we’re taking the camper,” Uncle Dagger announces.

Aunt Chrystal and Aunt Emerald glance at each other meaningfully.

“No, we’re not. There’s enough room for us in my car.” Mom says.

“That camper smells like mothballs.”

“It does not,” Uncle Dagger insists.

“Yes, it does.” Aunt Emerald tells him. “You’re just used to it.” She gets out of the van and starts walking with Mom and the others toward my mom’s car.

I can’t believe they’re here. Uncle Dagger and Aunt Chrystal both live hours away. Aunt Emerald must have planned this after she saw my goblets last night. It’s rare that I get to see them all at once, and I’ve never spent time with them like this without my brothers and their kids.

It’s tradition, Aunt Emerald said.

I get out of my van and follow them into Mom’s car. I have to squeeze into the back seat with Aunt Chrystal and Aunt Emerald.

“If you’re wondering when the time is to get an excessive amount of body piercings, this is it,” Aunt Chrystal says.

“Or not,” Uncle Dagger argues. “Raccoon shifter guys aren’t always into jewelry, you know. Sometimes we like the finer things in life, like antiques.”

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