Page 30 of Orlando
“I know I want to, but I’m a bit hesitant.”
“Well, it makes sense.You and Orlando haven’t been together long.”
“I don’t think we’re together at all.”
“You’re mates.”
“Yes, but things have been tense.”
“Because of the assassin thing?”
“I think I’m over that.”
“Again, youthink?Your mate was planning on killing people for a living.Are you sure you’re willing to accept that?”
Liam groaned.“Do you want me to change my mind?”
“I don’t, but I do want you to think this through.I trust that once you’ve made a decision, you’ll stick to it, but I don’t want you to be rash.”
“I won’t be.I want to bond with him.”
“And you said you weren’t going to be rash.”
“Is it being rash when I already know I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with him?”
“I’m not sure I can help you with this.Both your father and I are human.This feels like it’s going too quickly, but maybe you’re right.Maybe it isn’t.”
“I want to hear what you really think, Mom.”
“No, you want me to tell you that you’re doing the right thing, and I can’t.I don’t know if you are.I’ve never even talked to him.I’m glad you’re giving him a chance, and I do think it’s a little quick, but maybe you’re right.Maybe since he’s your mate, you don’t need to get to know him.You have the chance to, though.The two of you are stuck together in an apartment.Why aren’t you taking advantage of that?Why aren’t you with him right now instead of talking to me on the phone?”
“It’s been difficult.”
“You meanyouare making it difficult.I love you, but I also know you.Sometimes, you can be a stubborn shit.”
Liam spluttered.“Mom.”
“What?You’re my son.I can say that you’re a stubborn shit, especially when you are.You just told me you wanted to bond with your mate, but you won’t talk to him?Do you realize how all of this sounds?”
Liam sighed.“Fine.I’ll talk to him.”It wouldn’t be a hardship.Hewantedto talk to Orlando.He just wasn’t sure where to start.
The easiest way would be to finally leave this bedroom.He wasn’t the only one stuck in this apartment, after all.Orlando was there, too.He left every so often to go to the store, but he was always fast.The rest of the time, he was in the living room.He’d given Liam the space he needed even though Liam had told him he didn’t have to.He was being considerate, and the least Liam could do was to do the same for him.
“I have to go,” he told his mother.
“Oh?What are you planning?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing I want to know, I’m sure.But, Liam, if you really think that bonding with Orlando is the right thing to do, then it is.I want you to be happy.Do you think Orlando can make you happy?”
Liam thought about how much Orlando was doing for him.They were mates, but he didn’t have to put his life on pause the way he had.He could be out there, spending time with his friends and trying to convince the council to stop coming after Liam.Instead, he’d locked himself in the apartment so that Liam wouldn’t be alone.He was taking care of him, even though Liam had been basically ignoring him.“I think he can.”
* * * *
WHEN ORLANDO KNOCKEDon the bedroom door, he was nervous.In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so nervous, which was ridiculous.He’d trained to be a council assassin.He should be used to stress and pressure, but here he was, freaking out over his mate.
The door swung open, revealing Liam.For a second, Orlando’s breath was taken away.The only thing he could do was stare, which he was pretty sure was weird.“Orlando?”Liam asked.
