Page 92 of The Primary Pest
Though Ajax had already started toward the door, Grandpa’s ride whipped past him, whirring like a sewing machine on steroids.
Ajax’s grandpa was almost as excited to have Dmytro and his family there as Ajax was. He’d never said a word, but he’d seemed a little sad when Ajax had come out as gay. He probablybelieved he’d never have great-grandkids. But Ajax wanted kids. His own or Dmytro’s. He wanted lots of them.
“’Bout time I get to meet Mr. Magic’s little family. Hope they like dogs.”
“Who doesn’t like dogs?” Once Ajax was standing at the door with his hand on the doorknob, he hesitated.
“What’s the matter?”
Ajax wiped his damp hands on his jeans. “What if this doesn’t work out?”
“What if it does?” Grandpa beeped his tragic little scooter horn impatiently.Meep. Meep.
Hands shaking, Ajax opened the door wide. Dmytro’s girls gasped and ran inside, all propriety thrown out the window over Grandpa’s dogs. It was as if they didn’t see anything else.
Ajax understood that only too well.
His eyes locked on Dmytro, who stood on the doorstep with his hands jammed into his jeans pockets, wearing an uncharacteristically nervous expression.
Liv charged in after the girls, which left the two of them and Zhenya standing at the door.
After clearing his throat, Zhenya teased, “Apparently Mitya’s a vampire now. Invite us in and put him out of his misery. We’ll bring in the luggage later.”
“I’ll help. Please. C’mon in.” Ajax motioned for them to enter.
He’d planned for this moment. He’d practiced what to say a thousand times. But he had never believed it would actually arrive.
Still, Dmytro was there. So were the girls and Liv and Zhenya. He’d worked so hard for this moment he was struck dumb.
“I have never seen you this quiet,” Dmytro said warily. “Are you… Is everything all right?”
“It is now.” Ajax gave Dmytro a small smile that he answered with a wide, wolfish smile of his own. Months had passed since their brush with disaster. Even though they’d been in constant touch, if it was enough time for Ajax to build a life in St. Nacho’s, it was also enough time for Dmytro to change his mind. “Are you still okay with this?”
“Yes, thank God. I was beginning to think you’d chickened out.” He held his arms out.
“Not a chance.” Ajax met him halfway, wrapping his arms around Dmytro and burying his face in his shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
As soon as they made contact, he felt Dmytro’s sigh of relief. “I have missed you, little mink.”
Grandpa beeped his horn again impatiently. “Hello, you have more guests than just the one.”
“Wow. Where are my manners?” Ajax whirled around. “I should show you to your rooms.”
“Your grandfather can do that,” said Zhenya. “He knows the way, yes?”
“I can do that.” Grandpa rolled forward a little. “Want to see what we did for the girls?”
Ajax glanced toward Liv. “Grandpa, I can—”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Liv took pity on them. “You two can see to yourselves while the girls and I explore. If this is to be our home for the summer, the sooner we learn our way around, the better.”
“Okay.”
“Come, girls.” Liv held her hands out and turned to meet Zhenya’s gaze. “You too. Grandpa Fairchild will show us around.”
“What about Daddy and Ajax?” Pen asked.
“Daddy and Ajax need some grown-up time.” Liv gave Dmytro an unvarnished leer. “Will we see you for dinner?”
