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“I’m sure they’ll come around,” Malia assured him, though she was more hopeful than confident. “I’m sure my parents and brother will like you.”
It struck her anew that she didn’t really know anything about the man to whom she was now bonded for life. “Are your parents still alive? Do you have any siblings?”
“Yes, my folks are alive and kicking,” Lucas told her. “In fact, they’re kid-sitting for me this week. They live in Boise. I have an older brother named Eric, and an older sister, Louise. She moved out of state and lives in the Seattle area with her mate. I have a bunch of nieces and nephews.”
“How do you think your family react to…this?”
He hugged her. “Don’t worry about that. They’ll be surprised, but everything’s gonna be okay.” He sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as her.
Then he disentangled himself from her and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, sitting up.
With an effort, she followed. Her shoulders slumped. She felt so conflicted. Her human half was scared to death, worried about what would happen to them now.
But her wolf… her wolf was actuallyhappy. Contentment radiated from where it lurked in the depths of her being.
You evil beast!she told it.You’ve messed up everything! How could you?
Have not messed up, it reassured her placidly.Did good. He is our mate.
She sighed.
“I seem to recall you promised me steak,” Lucas said, smiling down at her. She sensed he was as troubled as she, but wanted to reassure her. “Let’s make some dinner, and see if we can figure out the next step in this, um, interesting situation.”
“Okay,” she said, dully.
She bent and began gathering up her scattered clothing. “Want to meet at my place in about a half-hour? I’d like to take a shower and change into something else.”
He nodded. To her relief, he didn’t ask to join her for that shower. She needed some space right now.
When Lucas tapped on her door exactly thirty minutes later, the ends of his hair were damp and curling, and he smelled of soap and deodorant rather than sex. He’d apparently decided to shower as well.
“Hey there,” he said, with a shadow of his old, confident grin. “How are you doing?”
She shrugged. “Better,” she lied.
To her surprise, he leaned in and hugged her. “It’s gonna be okay, Malia,” he promised once more.
It didn’t fix anything, and shouldn’t have made her feel better…but somehow, it did.
“Thanks. I just seasoned the steaks,” she told him when he released her. She tried her best to sound normal. “How well-done do you like your meat?”
While she grilled the steaks out on the porch, Lucas volunteered to set the table and make a salad to accompany the steaks.
When the meat was done and resting, Malia sliced a freshly-baked baguette she’d purchased from Cinnamon + Sugar while shopping with Rob this afternoon. She filled a basket with the slices, and fetched her butter crock to round out the simple meal.
Then they sat across from each other at Malia’s small table.
Malia had occasionally dreamed of sharing a cozy dinner with a mate, but none of her daydreams had factored in the awkwardness of that mate being a near-stranger.
Lucas raised his glass of Cabernet to her. “Thanks for the food. Here’s to making it all work out somehow.”
Malia touched her wine glass to his. “Here’s to us not being run out of town when everyone finds out,” she said, dryly.
“I’m hoping that’s an exaggeration,” Lucas said.
They dug in. Now that the initial shock had worn off, Malia discovered she was starving.
At first, they ate in silence. She had a million questions crowding her brain, but wasn’t sure where to start.
