Page 166 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“Push back on Jonas if you need to. You don’t have to take everything from him just because he’s head alpha,” I told her, putting her bowl down so I could cuddle her.
“How novel.” She rested her head on my chest. “He was caring. Hebraidedmy hair after our shower. It’s so pretty.”
“Ooh, snuggles.” Dean came into the living room, still only in his underwear and the apron. He dive-bombed the couch. “Your stuff is on quick-wash.”
“Thank you. Mercy is grabbing my gift and meeting me at the laser tag place.” She gave him a kiss.
“Good. We’ll snuggle you as much as you need,” I assured her.
Dean made sandwiches for himself and Jonas as I cuddled her more, food finished.
The elevator opened, and AJ came in, laptop case slung around him. His nose flared. “Is everything okay?”
“Hi, AJ.” Verity waved.
“Would you like a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup, Pepperjack?” I asked. Though we were going on a date tonight.
“I’m okay.” He put his stuff down and plopped down on the couch on the other side of me. “Hey, Princess.” His fingers traced her braid crown. “Beautiful.”
“Jonas braids hair,” she told him.
Jonas and Dean were at the other end of the sectional, eating their sandwiches.
“I do, too. Hazards of having sisters. But I can’t do that,” AJ admitted.
Maybe I should learn. It might be a nice thing to do for her, braid her hair all pretty after I wreck her in bed.
“Your piano is so beautiful, Grif.” Verity’s eyes rested on it.
“It is. Do you want to hear something?” My fingers itched to play for her.
“Please?” She beamed at me and it filled my heart full.
“Ooh, play some holiday songs we can sing to,” Dean pleaded as he finished his sandwich.
Verity’s eyes lit up. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
She’d never sung around the piano?
AJ patted my shoulder. “I love hearing you play.”
“Sure.” I got up from the couch and went over to the piano.
I sat down, stretched my fingers, then launched into Dean’s favorite holiday song. The four of them started to sing. My heart swelled as I joined in. This was everything I wanted.
It was nice that Jonas was preparing to keep her. But once she found out my secret, would she stay?
If she didn’t, it would shatter our hearts.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Verity
The restaurant AJ had recommended was a retro-style diner done in bright colors. As Mercy dug into her whipped cream-covered waffles, I picked at my eggs. Our bags were with us.
After this, we’d catch the team jet to travel to Rockland for the game. Creed, Grace, and her pack would be there, and instead of coming back with the team, we’d stay for the couple days Mercy had off for the holidays.
Jonas
