Page 20 of The Dragon's Captured Heart
Shit.
The instant the word came out of my mouth, I knew I was screwed.
“She?” my mother said, focusing on theleastimportant part.
“The person who told me,” I explained, trying to pass it off as nothing.
I failed. Miserably so.
“You met someone new?” There was a sliver of excitement.
Shaking my head, I tried not to laugh. “No, Mom. Not like that.”
A smile broadened over her face. “That’s great. So exciting. When are you bringing her over so I can meet her? What kind of food does she like? I’ll make sure to make some of it.”
I had no idea what Madison liked other than steak sandwiches. I’d have to find out before—
You aren’t bringing her to meet your parents. It isn’t like that.
“Mom,” I said sternly, “It’s not li—”
My dad chose that moment to make his appearance from out back. “What’s all the commotion in here? Oh, hi, son!”
“Hi, Dad,” I said, nodding my head.
“Callum has met a girl!” my mom exclaimed.
My dad’s face lit up behind his thick, bushy forest-man beard. “That’s great. Does she like beer? Or dragon-racing?”
I groaned. “Guys. It isnotlike that. I just met her.”
“So, youdidmeet someone!” my mom cried as if she had “Aha’d” me somehow.
“NOT. LIKE. THAT.Argh!”I threw my hands in the air in frustration.
My mom just smirked at me as if she knew better than I did what Madison was.
Chapter Twelve
Madison
There was something off about the look Callum gave me when he came walking in the door and saw me lounging on the couch with a book in hand.
“What?” I asked, setting the text down and sitting up. “Was I not supposed to go through your book collection or sit on your sofa?”
“That’s perfectly fine,” he said in a far too gentle tone, ignoring my barbs. “I’m glad you found something to do when I left so abruptly.”
I watched him closer. What was with the Mr. Nice Guy act?
Then it hit me. The smile that stretched across my face threatened to split skin it was so broad, and I didn’t bother trying to stop it.
“I was right, wasn’t I?”
He waved it off. “I notice you’re still here.”
Letting it drop for the moment but vowing that weweregoing to revisit the topic, I responded to his comment. “I did explore some of the palace. Got lost. Got found. Lost myself again.Discovered that we’re on an island that no human seems to know about. Not sure how I’m going to escape from that, so I came back here. Had an apple and a glass of juice from the fridge. Took a nap. Then got bored, found this book about dragon history, and now, we’re all caught up. Your turn.”
“Sounds like a very fun-filled afternoon. Thanks for not causing any trouble.”
