Page 156 of Lost
“Some people are with you for just a season, and I always knew you were meant for really big things,” Orla reassures her, tugging her away from Mickey. “I hear all about you from the boss.”
“Did someone call my name? Shit, why is Aisling crying?” Caleb groans.
“I haven’t seen them since Hayes ran me down on the street,” Aisling chuckles, brushing away tears.
“He’s such a fucking caveman,” Domh says affectionately.
“I was telling Aisling that Mickey and I get caught up on what she’s up to from you,” Orla says. “We’re so proud of you. One day at a time, you help make the city safer.”
“It’s not there yet,” I sigh.
“We’re planning a charity event for a community birth center,” Aisling explains. “It’ll be for STI tests, Pap smears, birth control, heat suppression consultations, and midwifery care.”
“I also am planning on having an area for kids to play, story time, mom dates, etc,” I add. “Right now, I travel to my clients’ houses, but if my client lives in a shelter or is in a living space that’s not safe for a home birth, I’ll be able to offer an alternative.”
“I love how your mind works,” Orla says. “Mickey, we’re in the presence of greatness.”
“Go get ready to open the bar,” Caleb says, rolling his eyes as Orla walks behind the bar with Mickey, both wearing wide grins.
Aisling’s no longer crying as Domh wraps his arm around her, whispering in her ear as she smiles. Alphas around the room stand as they come toward us, seeing that we’re done now.
Lars pushes open the front door, brow raised as I nod at him.
“All done,” I promise, grabbing my things and throwing them into my bag.
“Let’s get going then. Hollis, you need a ride back to your office?” he asks.
“I still have a guard,” she groans, hefting her giant shoulder bag up her arm. “I have a feeling this may be a permanent thing, and I fucking hate it.”
“That sucks,” I admit. “I’d rather you were safe, though.”
“I know, I’m still going to be grouchy about it.”
Knowing she will be, we walk out together, leaving her with her guard and driver. I love getting to see her so much more now.
“You feel happy,” Lars says, walking with me toward our dinner destination. Tyde is planning to join us, and I love his hours now. He goes in at six in the morning, and he’s done by two in the afternoon.
“I am,” I murmur. “There’s a lot to do still, but things are starting to fall into place.”
TYDE
Tonight is the charity event, and I can feel Nova’s nerves.
“You look beautiful,” I murmur, watching as she gets dressed.
“Thank you. I found this dress at Well Loved Threads, and I can’t believe I did,” she says.
Nova isn’t one to spend money on something she doesn’t expect to wear often. Hell, her closet is full of new clothing that she made. It doesn’t matter that her alphas could and would buy her anything she wants, she doesn’t care.
Lars and Caleb quietly changed out her coats for items that are heated outerwear. She always laughs as she finds something else they’ve changed out and gives them a kiss. I dropped a pair of new winter boots in her closet, and she squealed.
I think I like surprising her more than simply giving her the gift. It’s more fun.
The dress is black, high necked, and sweeps in a deep vee at her back. There’s an elegant leg slit, and she’s wearing a delicate long gold chain on her neck. It’s perfect, and I am hiding a pair of heels that’ll work well.
“Do you have shoes that you have your heart set on for the dress?” I ask her.
“That’s the issue. I have a pair that I don’t think will work and I ran out of time to find another pair,” she groans.
