Page 19 of A Very Grumpy Firefighter

Lymric hates my mom. Like truly hates her. She’s always been protective of me, and years spent watching my mom neglect and ignore me have only strengthened her dislike of my mother.

“Yeah,” I say with a sigh. “I’m handling it. I wouldn’t trust her not to dump him in the cheapest option anyway, so it’s for the best.”

“Do you want help with that? I can go scout out some places in California. Or is he moving closer to you?”

“I’m waiting for a call back from his doctors. I doubt that he’ll be stable enough to move right now.”

“Okay, want me to go to California from here?”

“No, I’ve got it. I’ve narrowed it down to three places. It’s going to depend on how many services he’ll need and which place has an opening.”

“Alright, let me know if you change your mind.”

“I will,” I promise her.

“Do you have his number? I’ll call and check on him.”

“I’ll send it to you,” I promise her.

“Okay, sounds good.”

“There’s something else,” I start and then clear my throat. “I’m getting married.”

“You’re WHAT?” She shouts.

“I’m getting married,” I repeat.

“Married?”

“Yep.”

“Married.”

“You take as much time as you need to process this,” I joke, and she snorts.

“I just… I didn’t even know that you were seeing anyone! Why didn’t you tell me? Who is he?” She asks rapid fire. “Wait. It’s Milo, isn’t it? Tell me it’s Milo!”

“It’s Milo,” I admit.

“I knew it! Why didn’t you tell me that you two were dating?”

“I…We’re not.”

“Engaged, whatever. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We were never dating,” I say quietly.

“What?”

“We never dated. I signed up for this arranged marriage auction.”

“You what?!?”

“I needed the money. I have to pay for my grandpa’s medical stuff and?—”

“I would have helped! I can still help,” she offers.

I tell her how much it’s going to be, and she lets out a big breath in a rush.

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