Page 144 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“He didn’t yell, but um, yes. Also, my phone and tablet aren’t new enough to run the monitors or the program the auto-waterers use. Still, what else am I going to do while you’re here?” Verity’s brow furrowed. She looked tired–and sad.
“You could spend time with me. Can I take you out to lunch?” I put an arm around her, letting her scent surround me.
“Hi, Dean.” A cute little look crossed her face. It differed from her look for Grif. This one was all for me.
My little alpha being happy to see me made me want to do a happy dance.
“You could take a bubble bath and drink wine while reading romance novels.” Kaiko joined us, also with her bag.
“If only I had a bathtub. So?” Verity gazed hopefully at her sister.
“Yeah... so... while I'dloveto go do something with you, I haven’t bought my gift for the exchange at the party tonight. Or any of them. Kaiko and I are going shopping. Come with us to the mall? It’s got lots of stores you like,” Mercy replied, shifting her bag’s weight.
“They have those scooters and we can get you one if you’re too tired to walk around the mall. Or you can sit in the bookstore and just text us what you still need to buy and we’ll get it. We can go for snacks after. There’s a great bubble tea place,” Kaiko told her.
“There’s also the pretzel stand you like,” Mercy added.
While the offer seemed genuine, I got a whiff of salty sadness off Verity.
“Or you can spend the afternoon with me? Seriously, I have the afternoon off. The guys don’t. I can get my date.” I batted my eyes at her, wanting to make her smile.
Also, I was still a little miffed that Grif took her to dinner at our place in Boston without me.
“Aww,” Kaiko replied. “You should go on a date.”
“That’s a great idea. You have a date. We’ll go out to breakfast tomorrow before we get on the plane? I don’t feel neglected, promise, and while I love spontaneous Verity, I need to buy presents,” Mercy told her.
“Okay. My shopping is done and everything is wrapped.” Verity looked at me. “It’s you and me, Hot Stuff. Are you ready, or should I wait for you at the coffee cart? I have to walk her off the property.” Her grip around me was a little tighter than usual.
“I’ll meet you at the cart. Let me grab my coat.” Giving her a kiss, I practically skipped off.
I grabbed my coat and phone from the locker room. When I returned to the lobby, Verity waited by the coffee cart, looking wistful as she leaned on her crutch. She had her backpack. Today’s coat was seafoam green, that pom-pom of her hat peeking out of her coat pocket.
“Mercy loves you, but she’s at the age where she wants to spend time with her friends.” I put my arm around her in reassurance.
“I know. My fault for being spontaneous.” With a sigh, she got out her phone. “Let me cancel my plans. What would you like to do?”
She left her lab early andplannedsomething for her sister? No wonder she looked sad.
“Don’t cancel. I’ll go with you. It doesn’t matter what we do. I just want to spend time with you. Let’s get our hair done or buy books. I’d like some glitter eyelashes. Especially if followed by tea and tiny desserts.” I fluttered my eyelashes for effect. Anything for her.
Verity laughed. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m happy to go on whatever fun afternoon you have planned,” I told her as I pulled on the beanie that one of Grif’s moms made me. Grif had a matching one.
“Let me order a car. Or do you have one?” She got on her phone.
“While I know how to drive, I don’t have a license. Grif has this thing about always wanting to drive. So does Jonas. Also, I’ve always lived in places with good public transport. We could take Jonas’s SUV. I know the code.” I gave her a sly look. That would be fun.
“I haven’t gotten clearance to drive again, but soon,” she laughed. “I’m letting one of my brothers borrow my car.”
She texted someone, probably letting Jonas know she was taking me on an impromptu date. Verity was proper like that.
Taking my hand, she led me outside to a waiting car. She helped me in first, then slid in, putting her crutch in like she’d done this many times. As the car took off, I texted the group chat.
Me
Verity has stolen me. Don’t send help.
