Page 10 of Mane Full Of Stripes
“I think that’s a really good idea, Otto.” Anslem smiled. “Thank you for suggesting it.”
Otto flushed and ducked his head. “You don’t all have to look at me like that.”
“I’ll suggest it to him and see what he thinks, but I kind of like the idea.” Jost gave Otto a small smile, who nodded back at him. “Any other ideas?”
“The local fair is coming to town soon.” Freya sat up, her eyes sparkling. “All those scary rides.” She wriggled her eyebrows, then leaned back in her chair with the back of her hand on her forehead. “Oh, Apollo! I’m so scared. Hold me.”
Jost burst out laughing and he shook his head at her, but he liked that idea as well. He could hold his mate, and Apollo wouldn’t expect it to lead to more. “I like that too.”
Ella grinned. “It’s a good idea, and as Freya said, you get to touch Apollo and judge how you react.”
“And he won’t automatically expect more from you.” Anslem sipped his drink. Hadn’t Jost had that exact same thought?
“I think the ice-skating date will be nice. I’ll ask him.” Jost smiled. He had a great family.
Chapter Six
Apollosethisphoneon his desk and smiled. Ice skating? He’d never considered ice skating as a date before, but now that Jost had suggested it, he actually liked the idea. Especially as he was appalling at ice skating. He only hoped Jost could skate, otherwise they’d both be in trouble.
When his phone rang again, Apollo saw Sena’s name. “Sis. What’s up?”
“Er, lunch at the parents’ house? Where are you?”
“Shit.” Apollo jumped up and quickly shut his laptop down. “I was marking homework. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Say sorry to Mom and Dad for me.”
“Will do. Now get your ass here. Mom’s cooked beef.”
Apollo paused. “With that peppercorn sauce?”
“Yeah, just for you.”
“I’ll be there as soon as possible.” Damn, he wasn’t missing out on his mom’s beef with peppercorn sauce or her garlic mashed potatoes. Grabbing his coat and wallet and keys, he ran out of the house and jogged to his car. Hopping inside, he quickly drove to his parents’ and made it there in ten minutes. Grinning, he got out and strolled up the path, then let himself in. “I’m here!”
“About time. Get your ass in here,” Arvo shouted from the kitchen.
As Apollo entered, he said, “Don’t be mad at me for being late. I was arranging a date.”
“A date?” Sena placed the peppercorn sauce on the table, then pulled her long black hair into a ponytail. “Who is stupid enough to go on a date with you?”
“That would be my mate.” He grinned and rocked on his feet as his sister and parents all stopped what they were doing and stared at him.
“You met your mate?” Lida whispered in an awed voice.
“I did, and you know him, too. Jost.”
“You never did get to tell me when you stayed over last night. You were gone in the morning. So, Jost? As in lion omega Jost.” Arvo smiled. “He’s a lovely young man, but I heard he’s been struggling lately.”
“Yeah, sorry I took off. I woke up and remembered all the work I had waiting for me. And yes, Jost is trying to get over a bad experience. He was in a relationship with someone who liked to hurt him, so I’ve agreed to take things slow.” Apollo pulled out a chair and sat at the table, smiling when Lida kissed his cheek. “He was scared of me. That hurt, but then he mentioned a little of his past.”
“Jost is such a nice shifter. So kind and sweet to all the children. He works in their nursery.” Sena passed the mashed potatoes to Apollo, who heaped some on his plate before passing them to Arvo, who looked at Apollo’s plate, then the bowl, now only half filled with potatoes. “I told you, you needed to make more.”
Lida shrugged. “I did. They’re in the oven. I know how much Apollo loves my mashed potatoes.” Passing the plate of vegetables to Sena, she asked, “Where did you meet him?”
“After the meeting,” Apollo rolled his eyes as Arvo shook his head, “I went out to a club, and he was there. I saw him from across the room.” He chuckled when Sena snorted. “Yeah, I know, but I saw him, and I knew I had to speak to him. Then he disappeared. By the time I saw him again, it seemed like he was scared. I realized he was having a panic attack, so I helped him, and we left.”
“Poor Jost. He went through so much by the sounds of it.”
“Yeah. He didn’t tell me much, really, but it was enough for me to figure out whoever his ex was, he had treated him like crap. I have to go slow with him. I know when we find our mates, we tend to move quite quickly, but I can’t with him. I need to earn his trust first, so we’re going ice skating.”
