Page 135 of Dream Mates
“I will.” Brennan texted the group chat. “We’ll get the meat and go home, unless there’s anything else you need? While it’s marinating we’ll see what we need to do to get the test sent off.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” I replied as I bit into another strawberry.
A genscan on someone from another world. Sure. We’d indulge Spencer. It’s not like it would find anyone anyway.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Spencer
Iended the call. My attention returned to a large group of students on the patio of the pizza place, which was near the research university I’d spoken at yesterday. I heard Grace before I saw her, that joyous laugh of hers tinkling like bells.
Grace spoke animatedly to some young people. My decision to bring her was resolute–this whole time, she’d beenhappy.Something that had been all too fleeting since she’d come back from the Temporal Authority.
I texted Riley.
Me
Can you tell if a record is fake?
Riley
Usually. What do you need?
I sent her Creed’s father’s bio.
Shortly thereafter I got a text from Brennan with information for a farm and bourbon distillery not that far from where I’d be tomorrow. I looked it up. Huh. Gracewouldprobably love to visit.
I approached the small fence separating the patio from the parking lot. A bunch of the young people stopped talking and looked at me. A young woman tapped Grace on the shoulder. My good doctor turned. Her entire face brightened, a smile breaking out which made my heart warm.
“Well, this looks more fun than any party we’ve been invited to,” I told her.
“Come join us.” Grace waved me over. “I saved you a slice.”
I went around through the restaurant and joined them on the patio, having a cold slice of pizza and a warm glass of beer as she introduced me to a large number of young people. Many of which were eager to meet me and tell me all about their studies.
“This is Creed,” Grace finally introduced. “He goes to engineering school at Natty and is graduating soon. He’s applied to work with us.”
Yes, this was a young alpha. Not a particularly large or fierce one in appearance, but I could sense it under the surface.
National University of Science and Technology was a premier institution and him being in their graduate engineering program spoke volumes.
The tall and slim young man looked so very much like my good doctor. Some of their mannerisms were similar as well. Creed, too, told me about his work as others headed out and Grace settled the bill.
Finally, I squeezed Grace’s hand. “I’m so sorry to tear you away, but we should make an appearance at a couple parties.”
“Go have fun, it’s getting late,” a young woman that worked for PIIP said.
Grace waved and wished everyone left safe drives as I called a car.
“I’m sorry, did I make us late? I was having a good time,” she apologized as we left the restaurant.
“Not at all.” I took her arm as we waited for the car. “After we stop by where we’re expected, we can do whatever you wish.”
“Another moonlit walk on the beach sounds nice.” She smiled as the car drove up.
I helped her inside. “My good doctor, I can’t think of anything better.”
In the hotel room, I sat at my laptop, putting out a couple of fires and sending some emails. Grace was in the bedroom talking to Evan and Wes. We’d gone to the parties, had a late dinner at an ocean-front bistro, then gone for a long walk along the water under the moonlight.
