Page 100 of Only Fate

I also hope that I can experience more meals like this and getto know her family better because Ialsowant to be her family. And someday, I want us to have a little family of our own.

I spend the next two hours with Essie and her family. River and Rex show me the new beta of their video game, and we hang out in the family room.

And right before we leave, Rex stops me at the door. “Thank you, Adrian.”

“For what?” I ask.

“For making my daughter smile again.”

32

“I’m so happy Tucker is okay,” my abuela says over the phone. “Is he feeling well enough to come over and see us? I’m having dinner, and I would love to see my granddog.”

Tucker is stretched out in the back seat and biting at the cone around his head. Foster put it on so Tucker wouldn’t bite his stitches.

“Gee, thanks,” I say around a chuckle. “What about your grandson?”

“Well, of course, you too, honey. But let’s not be a selfish dog dad. You weren’t the one who just spent days in the animal hospital.”

“Fair point.” I scratch my head as I cast a glance toward Essie in my passenger seat. “Can I bring someone?”

“Is this someone Essie, the pretty girl from the pub and vet?”

I can’t see my abuela, but I know she’s wearing a giant smirk on her face. In high school, I didn’t bring many girls home. Sure, I went to a few school dances and had study partners, but nothing like what I have with Essie.

I crack a smile, my eyes still glued on Essie. “Yes, the pretty girl from the pub and vet.”

“Of course you can bring her!” she bursts out. “Any girl who’s a crush of my grandson’s is a friend of mine.”

I shake my head, thankful I didn’t put her on speaker.

That’s a known rule with her, though.

Never put Abuela on speaker when in public.

You never know what’ll leave her mouth.

Though I know there’s no muting her when we’re at dinner.

You game?I mouth to Essie.

I’m game, she mouths back.

“We’ll be there.”

“Great! See you soon.” She makes a kissy sound and ends the call.

Tucker starts wagging his tail and barks, like he senses what we’re saying.

“You calm down, mister,” Essie says, gesturing for him to lie down. “Foster said you need rest.”

Tucker nuzzles his cone against the seat before lying back down.

I peer at Essie. “Whatever my abuela says, only believe half of it.”

Essie throws her head back. “Oh, I’m believing every little thing. She could tell me you wet the bed for your first sixteen years, and I’d believe her.”

“It was only until fifteen, thank you very much.”

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