Page 79 of Their World

It took another forty minutes to say goodbye to everyone, especially because my fathers wanted extra hugs, and get into the SUV to head home.

“Well, I think that went really well,” Trey commented. “They actually came to decisions on things much faster than normal.”

“That’s because they’ve been planning it since the last attack,” I said with a small smile.

“What?” Kayden asked as he started driving.

“It was obvious that they had all been discussing the plan already,” I said. “Grandpa Deryn and Grandpa Nico rarely agree on things so quickly. Add in Great Grandpa Dan and tempers get heated every time. There were no tempers this time.”

“She’s right,” Mason whispered. “They must have not wanted to stress Lily unnecessarily.”

“Whatever the reason, I’m not mad,” I said and relaxed into the seat. “It was a nice change of pace to have them agree on things.”

“Maya is at the house,” Trey announced. “I unlocked the door for her.”

“Nice!” I shouted. I sent her a quick text to get the movie she wanted to watch first set up so we wouldn’t waste time arguing over which one to watch.

As soon as I stepped through the door, Maya ran to me and hugged me, her bright red hair covering my face.

“I missed you!”

I hugged her back. “I missed you, too.”

We walked to the kitchen and Mason set the box Nana Jolie had given me on the counter. “This is for you two for tonight,” he said. “I snooped on the drive home.”

Frowning in confusion, I opened the lid of the box and gasped. Inside were three bottles of prosecco, strawberries cut into star shapes, edible glitter to add color to our drinks, and a bunch of snacks.

“She really is the best nana ever,” Maya said as she began pulling items out.

Mason put two of the prosecco bottles into the fridge while I opened the third one.

He kissed me on the cheek and said, “We’ll be upstairs if you need anything.”

“I’ll be here, so don’t wait up,” Piper teased.

He glared at her before walking away.

Maya looked at Piper and asked, “Did you do something to get on Dan’s bad side again? I know you’re not crazy enough to volunteer to be Lily’s bodyguard.”

Piper laughed while I pinched Maya’s side on my way to grab champagne glasses.

“Rude,” I hissed at her.

“I actually did volunteer,” Piper answered. “Who wouldn’t want to be around this serpentine chaos goddess and the fun she brings?”

“At least someone appreciates my chaos.” I put a strawberry star into each glass before filling it with prosecco.

“Help me carry the snacks to the coffee table,” Maya ordered Piper.

“Only because you asked so nicely,” Piper teased Maya.

“So, how was your date?” I asked Maya as we got settled on the couches.

She flushed, turning the same color as her hair. “Amazing. He took me to a fancy restaurant, to see a play I’d mentioned a few weeks ago, and finally to get ice cream. We talked about a lot of things and I genuinely had so much fun. It’s just so … simple to be with him. So natural, like breathing.”

“So, Tony might be the one for you after all, huh?” Sipping on my prosecco, I felt a sense of relief knowing my best friend and brother would have each other if something did happen to me.

“I don’t know about theone,” she mumbled.

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