Page 50 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
A moment later, a picture of Grif hitting Dean with a pillow came through and something deep within me settled.
“Thank you,” I breathed, a weight lifting off me.
“AJ and I have this until you come back. Trust us, Sweet Girl.”
“I trust you.” Why did I turn into a pile of goo every time he called me that?
“I love you, and we can talk over everything you need when we get back,” he told me.
“Oh, I hope we can do more than talk.” I smirked.
“Believe me, we will. See you in a few days.”
“Love you.” I couldn’t wait.
Chapter Seventeen
Verity
Mercy and I got off the airplane in New York City, the weather clear, and crisp, though the sun was fading with the day. No sign of the impending snowstorm that made my brother send me preparedness videos.
I couldn’t wait to sleep in my own bed.
Unfortunately, Grif, Dean, and Jonas were on the road. Worry balled in the pit of my belly because it was just Jonas to protect both of them. Not to mention, Grif and AJ recently bonded.
AJ stood there, waiting for us on the tarmac of the private wing of the airport where the Maimers’ jet landed along with some of the Maimer’s family members. He was wearing a suit and sunglasses, like always, whichdidthings to me.
“Hey.” AJ flashed me a big smile, like he was genuinely happy to see me.
“Hey.” I bit my lower lip as want for him flared in my core.So yummy.
“Oh.” Mercy deflated as we grabbed our suitcases. “I thought that since Grif was in Quebec for the makeup game, you’d stay home, and we could cook and watch a movie.”
“We were going to cook and watch the hockey game at his place. Would it be okay if AJ came over to our place instead?” My heart squeezed. I should’ve thought about her first. I’d figured she’d go off with Kaiko and Jack or want some alone time to decompress.
“Or I can play car service and drop you two off. They have another game tomorrow night we can watch,” AJ replied, taking my suitcase for me.
Mercy cocked her head as we walked to the familiar SUV. “I could be up for watching the hockey game if we stayed home, and it involved home-cooked food. Can I help cook?”
“Absolutely. We’re going to compare kofta recipes,” I told her, as I got into the front seat of the SUV.
“Oooh, a cook-off? I’m in. Especially if you’re making grandpa’s recipe.” Mercy was a great sous chef, and decent in the kitchen herself.
“Oh, I am,” I replied. Baba’s omega dad had taught me to make it when I was little.
AJ loaded our bags in the back and got in. “We’ll place a grocery order when we get to your place–but only if it’s okay with you, Mercy. I’m not trying to steal her. If you like, I can drop you two off and go home.”
“Eh, I should hang out with you anyway since I know you the least of her guys. Do I get an entry, too? I could make those lamb kebabs Riley makes.” Mercy was on her phone in the backseat as AJ drove out of the parking lot.
“Only if you make that sauce to go with it.” I looked over my shoulder and grinned. It was mostly garlic and Spencer’s recipe.
“That’s a given.” She grinned back.
Our block looked extremely quiet, even for winter break. AJ pulled into our unit’s parking space. It wasicy,rivulets of water cutting through it.
“Everyone’s still gone for break?” AJ asked, looking around at how empty it was.
“Yes, though there’s not much break left. The heat’s supposed to be back on today.” I frowned as I checked my texts from campus housing.
