Page 46 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
We had to wait because registering was for alpha-omega pairs.
“I’d like that.” It was pretty common to have some sort of mate agreement, especially among designations beyond alpha and omega. It added an extra level of legal protection.
AJ squeezed my hand.
“There’s been so much waiting,” I told them. “Now I feel like we can finally move forward.” Even though yesterday had sent my mind reeling, some of it was freeing, too.
“Me, too. Anyone talk to Verity recently? I got yelled at by Rusty this morning.” Dean drank his matcha latte.
“Isn’t it barely morning in Hawai’i?” AJ took a sip of espresso, eyebrows raising.
“It was like four am there when she called me. Wanted to know what we did to Verity. They were playing drinking games last night.” Dean frowned over his oversized mug shaped like a croissant.
“It’suswho did something? She’s not mad that Grif and I mated, is she? I mean, she texted me and told me to go for it.” AJ took a bite of buttered toast.
“What, no?” I gave him a reassuring kiss.
“Has anyone given any thought to how all this might impact her, given everything she’s been through in the past?” Jonas replied slowly. “How crazy fans trashing her greenhouse and months of hateful texts might be affecting her? That maybe hugs and promises to get her a new number aren’t enough? Chet was her first agent and was an asshole to her. Now we’re going after him legally–and some of his actions could be because of your relationship withher.”
“Oh.” My heart dropped. I’d been so into my own feelings about Chet that I didn’t consider that hers were just as valid.
Me
I love you with all my heart. It’ll be okay.
“Well, if she needs to stay over to make sure we’re safe at night, I’m okay with that. I volunteer my bed since her room isn’t done.” Dean grinned as he finished his eggs.
“Might be a good idea. Any plans for the day?” Jonas took a drink of coffee.
“Grif and I are going on a date tonight. I got us reservations at the puzzle house.” AJ squeezed my hand, and I squeezed it back.
I’d been wanting to go to a puzzle house for a while. Each room had a mystery to solve. At the end, there was food and drinks, sometimes dancing or a show, depending on the theme.
“After the mattresses come and the contractors leave, Jonas and I are going back to Blankets and Beyond. Want to come?” Dean asked me.
“If I have time, yes. Some flannel sheets and an extra cozy comforter would be nice. I’ve been living with mild winters for way too long,” I admitted. New pillows and a soft blanket might be on my list, too.
“Sounds like a good idea. We’re in for a big snowstorm. I’ll make sure the main supplies are topped off in case we get snowed in,” AJ added. “Jonas, do we need anything?”
Ugh, snowstorms. Something I hadn’t missed. As kids, they were great. Adults, not so much.
“I think we’re good. We have flashlights, batteries, generator fuel, and candles,” Jonas replied.
“If anyone needs their tux cleaned for the fundraising gala for the Squire Foundation, please leave them in the coat closet so I can take them in the weekly run,” AJ told us. “Grif, do you need help with necklace shopping for Verity? I already got shoes for her dress.”
“I’ve got it.” Why did he keep getting her shoes? That wasn’t a bad thing. I just didn’t understand it. Like why they were going to such lengths to fix the ruined dress.
But I’m sure it would be well worth it when I saw her at the gala.
Chapter Sixteen
Verity
Isat in the back of the chartered bus in the hotel parking lot. My head throbbed, and exhaustion pressed down on me.
Getting only a couple hours of sleep after a night of drinking would do that.
I sipped my chai latte from my travel mug, which was pink, and saidwhat the fucculenton it. It had been a Christmas gift. While I didn’t get drunk, I’d been feeling super good when I’d finally gone to my room around four am.
