Page 22 of Heatwaves

There are more cars than I expected, and I can’t help wondering if more people have decided to try the meet and greet instead of using Heat Assist. I kind of hope not since that’s money out of my pocket, but it sure would make my mom happy to prove me wrong, wouldn’t it?

“Lila!” my mom calls out, waving her arm in the air—as if I could miss her.

Forcing a smile on my lips, I slip out of my flip-flops and head over to her. “Hey, Mom.”

“Just in time,” she says with a smile, looping her arm through mine before leading me to where my dad stands with another man. He’s tall, though not much taller than my dad, with black hair and bronzed skin. He’s probably closer to my age than my parents’, but who am I to judge? Objectively, I know my parents are attractive, but thinking of them with someone my age is…a little weird.

But good on them, I guess?

“Hey, honey.” My dad smiles as we close in on them, and it’s then I notice he’s holding Miguel’s hand.

Oh, my gods. Why is that so adorable?

“Hey, Dad.”

“Lila, I’d like to introduce you to Miguel Newman.” Mom is practically beaming as she looks at Miguel and my dad, and I’m so focused on her it takes me a moment for his name to register.

Newman.

It’s a common last name. It doesn’t mean anything.

Don’t freak out, Lila. Don’t embarrass your parents. You can’t lose it over someone sharing a last name with one of them. Get it together.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Lila.” Miguel offers me his hand, and I have to push past my panic to shake it.

This can’t happen right now.

I force another smile, hoping it doesn’t look as fake as it feels. “It’s wonderful to meet you as well. I was a little surprised when my parents broke the news to me, but I’m really happy for them. Assuming you treat them right.”

“Lila,” my mom hisses, but I wave her off.

“Nope. You wanted me to meet him, so I get to interrogate him if I so choose. It’s my prerogative as your child. If you didn’t want that, then you should’ve met someone before you had me.” I grin, shooting my dad and Miguel a wink as my mom gapes at me. “Calm down, Mom. I’m just messing with you.”

Miguel laughs. “Your dad said I’d like you, and he’s right. I think the two of us will get along well.”

“The jury’s out on that one, but things are looking good so far.” I extract myself from my mom’s hold, slipping my arm through Miguel’s. “Come. Walk with me and we can get to know one another.”

“Seriously, Lila?” The exasperation in my mom’s tone is heavy, and I can’t help smiling—this one isn’t even fake. “You need to go meet some of the men here today—not walk around with one that isn’t available.”

“Actually, Mom, that’s exactly what I need. I don’t want to find someone here today. It didn’t work out well last time, and I’m not even in the mood to try. Once I get to know Miguel, I’m going to head home and jump on Heat Assist. There should be at least a few still available for my heat. Don’t worry about me—I’m a big girl,and I’ve been taking care of myself for a while.” I smile up at Miguel. “Shall we?”

Miguel glances at my mom and then my dad before nodding. “We shall.”

I lead him a little further down the beach, just so we don’t have to worry about my mom overhearing us.

“So, tell me about yourself, Miguel. They didn’t tell me much except that they’d met someone. I’d like to get to know you a little better, and since neither of us has a stake in this meet and greet, we might as well chat.”

Miguel nods slowly. “I’m going to be honest with you. None of us were sure how you’d react—especially since I’m quite a bit younger than they are.”

“Well, then let’s start there. How old are you?”

“Forty-three, which I know is three decades younger than they are, but it’s different for shifters. I never felt like there was some massive age gap between us.” He shrugs, ducking his head. “They never made me feel like the age gap would affect the relationship we could have.”

That makes me smile. “It does make a difference with shifters, doesn’t it? My first thoughtwas good on them, even if it’s a little weird,” I tell him with a laugh.

“I guess that’s understandable. I’d imagine seeing your parents with someone at your age would be a little weird. Most pods are set by the time they start having children.” He shrugs. “But then again, my family has never been much like that.”

“Oh?”

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