Page 53 of Where the Current Takes Him
Loriun froze, a look of alarm spreading across his face.
“Beaumont, how are things in Miami?”His father’s brusque tone told Beau that he didn’t actually care about the answer.
“Fine, Dad.”
“Pleased to hear it. Beaumont, I’m calling to arrange a visit with your mother. When are you available?”
Beau’s heart leapt. He hadn’t seen his mother since the day prior to his abrupt departure. Though he was more than a little ashamed to admit that a certain Mer and his whale cock had prevented him from thinking much about home.
“Anytime is great. I don’t exactly have a nine to five here.”
“How about this afternoon? 2 p. m.?”
“Oh, uh…” Beau lowered the phone and whispered, “Can I get to Gainesville by 2 p. m. today?”
A crease lined Loriun’s forehead. “Of course. I will take you.”
Beau blinked at him. Why had he not considered that Loriun would need to meethisfamily at some point?
“Beaumont?”His father’s voice crackled from the phone.
“Yeah, sorry, 2 p. m. is fine.”
“Wonderful, see you then.”
The line went dead.
Beau slowly returned the phone to the counter. Loriun eyed him, anxiety still dancing across his handsome features, alongside an emotion he couldn’t quite read.
“Is something wrong?”
It took a moment for Beau to formulate an answer, because truthfully, the answer was no. He had no reason to be freaked out or worried about Loriun meeting his parents. His father was the one who made this deal to begin with, and his mother would at least be kind to Loriun’s face.
“Well,” Beau began. “Remember how I told you in human culture, a partner meeting the parents is a big deal?”
“Ah.” Loriun looked down at himself. “Are you concerned your mother will not approve? I’ve already had the misfortune of meeting your father—”
“No, it’s not that. I… I don’t know. I’ve never brought someone home before.Mamácares in her own way and my dad has no reason to be an ass. I’m sure it’s fine.” Beau shook his head. “Just feels like a big step.”
Loriun set the mug down and took Beau’s hands in his own.
“You already met my family. What else can I do to make you more comfortable?”
The mental image of Loriun standing in the midst of Beau’s dysfunctional family made Beau cringe, particularly after their perfectly pleasant dinner at the Koame-Valhn household
“Beau? What’s wrong?”
He grimaced. “It’s nothing, really. Everything is going so well, but…”
“But…?”
“It all happened so suddenly. I guess part of me is waiting for everything to fall to pieces.”
Loriun frowned. “This may not reassure you, but this is the standard course of a Mer relationship. We know almost instantly whether or not someone is right for us. And when we have found someone who is right, we do not waste time looking for others.”
The corners of Beau’s mouth turned up. “Like soulmates?”
The Alpha tipped his head, considering. “No. ‘Soulmate’ implies that each person has only one true partner. We believe there are many. But when you find one, what is the point in looking for another?”
