Page 42 of Silver
“Yeah. That’s Justin’s car over there.”
I looked in the direction Charlie was pointing. I didn’t see anything that I would expect to see from someone who was about to become a father.
“Which one?” I asked, just curious.
“The red one.”
That narrowed that down because there was only one red car in the parking lot in the direction that Charlie had indicated.
I glanced back at my mate. “Are you serious?”
Charlie nodded. “I know. I’m actually surprised that they’re in it because Sam is really showing. I’d think she would be more comfortable in her SUV.”
I would too. I couldn’t imagine a pregnant woman getting in and out of a tiny, two-door coupe. But it wasn’t mine, and although I knew my truck would be fine for driving Charlie around when he was pregnant and then our kids, I also realized that it wasn’t going to be overly practical when Charlie was heavily pregnant. Sure, I could get him in and out of it without an issue, but would he want that? Was that what was going to be best for him?
“It’s just about as impractical as my little car. Maybe there’s a reason. But we’ll never know if we don’t go inside and find out.”
“Very true. Be right there.”
I turned off the truck before sliding from it. I was rounding the front when Charlie’s door opened. I reached him before he could slide out, and although my first reaction had been irritation, I quickly picked up on the fact that Charlie was incredibly nervous. I pulled him to me, kissing his forehead before I tucked his face into my shoulder.
“Did you feel this way when I met your family for the first time?”
I took a step back so I could look down at my mate. “Not with my brothers. Not really with my parents either. I knew Ma was going to be a bit much, but I also know that deep down, she does mean well. I know I’ve been harsh, but that’s only because I want her to know that these is our lives and not hers.”
Charlie nodded. “I do understand that. Who knows, maybe my own mother would have been the same. I don’t know though.”
“Come on. Let’s not keep them waiting too long,” I said. I laced my fingers with Charlie’s, and as we crossed the parking lot, Charlie’s grip on my hand steadily got stronger. Not only that, but I could feel his nervousness ramp up the closer we got to the door. I held it open for Charlie, and after we entered and my eyes adjusted to the difference in light, I could get a good view of the place. It looked very much like the diner that my brothers and I loved to eat at.
“There they are,” Charlie said, pointing to the right side of the room. As we closed the distance, it was Justin who noticed us first. He smiled as we approached, and when Sam noticed us, her eyes widened.
“Hey, Sam,” Charlie said when we reached their table. Justin stood, then held out his hand. I shook it, relieved that there was no macho display of squeezing my hand as hard as he could.
“It’s nice to meet you, Silver.”
“Likewise.” I turned my attention back to my mate, who was staring at his sister. When I looked at Sam, I found her staring at me. I moved over and pulled the chair out for Charlie. “Do you want to sit down, cutie?”
“Huh?” he asked. “Oh yeah.” I helped Charlie sit before I took my own seat. “Are you all right, Sam?” Charlie asked.
“Yeah,” she said, finally taking her eyes off me. She glanced at Justin and then down at the table before she looked at her brother. The server arrived and took our drink order before we could talk more, but once he was gone, Sam smiled across the table at her brother. “How are you doing?” Sam asked. She glanced at me for a split second before looking back to her brother. “Is he treating you right?”
I rolled my eyes while Charlie sighed. “Does Justin treat you right?” Charlie asked.
“Of course he does. Why would you ask such a question?”
It was Justin who spoke next. “You just asked Charlie the same question, Sam. Why would you ask him that yet be upset when he asks you the same? That’s not right?”
Sam looked like she had something to say. Instead, she dropped her eyes down at the table again. “I’m sorry, Charlie. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’ve just been worried about you. It’s not like you to just up and let someone claim you. Then, you move in with him and disappear.”
“Well, duh,” Charlie said. “I’ve found my fated mate. We only get one of those, and it’s not like I knew him before now. As for moving in with him, you and Justin moved in together quickly.”
Sam glanced at Justin. “Don’t look at me,” he said. “You know how I feel about all of it. He’s a grown man, and if he wantsto up and move in with someone, that’s fine. He can do what he wants.”
I liked Justin. “What are your intentions toward my brother?” Sam asked.
I snorted in response, but before I could reply, the server returned with our drinks. We all ordered, Charlie and I scrambling to find what they had as options.
“What are your intentions toward my brother?” Sam asked.
