Page 96 of Just A Little Magic

“They are such assholes. If it’s like last time, the family talks business while they eat dinner, and Anders has to take notes, so he has to eat later.”

“I still don’t understand why they can’t just record it if it’s that important.”

I thought Jakob’s question was a fair one because that was a dick move.

“Beats the hell out of me.” Rory sighed. “But there are a lot of things I don’t understand about their relationship. Owen, if it’s possible, he’s even more closed up about his relationships than you.”

“Damn.”

“But when we texted earlier, Anders said the only thing that would make the meeting bearable would be a picture of us together.”

“No phone, remember?” Jakob pouted.

“C’mon, Operation Save Anders’s Selfie is a go.”

I jumped off the sofa and grabbed Jakob’s and Rory’s hands. With a tight grip, I dragged them through the club, dodging puppies, otters, and more than a few bears. Once at the front, we stood in line because no one liked people who pulled rank. Jackie, the front desk receptionist, was working as fast as he could.

“Oh hey, Owen. How can I help you?” he asked when it was our turn.

“Hey, Jackie, I need to check my phone out, but we’ll be in Barrett’s office and then check it back in.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Jackie noted the computer system, retrieved it from the locked pouch, and placed it in my hand. The minute I had it, the three of us were off like a shot.

As a privacy precaution, cell phones were banned for everyone in the club, guests and employees, but Barrett made an exception for his office.

We crisscrossed the maze of corridors until we finally reached the office. I put in the lock code, dragged the boys in, and slammed the door.

We spent the next fifteen minutes taking and deleting selfies until we’d created the perfect series of silly pictures for Anders. We sent him the photos, but none of us were shockedwhen he didn’t respond. It was a little disappointing that he hadn’t because then we would know Anders could get some dinner after working all night. I hadn’t attended many business meetings, but I’d never heard of someone being forced to take notes at a table while others ate. It sounded straight-up mean.

“We’re good?” I looked at both Rory and Jakob.

“We’re good and no more shenanigans,” Rory said with a firm nod.

“No shenanigans,” Jakob agreed.

“Oh, thank goodness because I’m so hungry, and surely, by now, they’ve set up the food.”

We reversed course, dropped the phone off at the reception desk, and headed back to find our Daddies. They were exactly where we had left them, and each of us landed on a lap.

“Love, we were getting a little worried,” Reed said as he smoothed Jakob’s curls away from his eyes. “Did you get everything sorted out?”

“Yes, Papa. Everything is fine now. We told Owen we were sorry for butting our noses in.”

Jakob snuggled in close to Reed. Jakob was dressed as a dinosaur, but I think Reed cheated by wearing scrubs and a coat.

“Yep, we are best-esties again. Anders is too, except he didn’t really do anything wrong.” Rory, dressed as the world’s cutest bunny, looped his arm around Gabe’s neck and then kissed his nose. Gabe wasn’t in a costume at all. Boo. Hiss.

“Oh good, Bunny. I know how sad you were that Owen was upset with you.”

“I’m the one who owes all of you an apology.” Bear turned to Rory and then Jakob. “I should have told you no right off. It didn’t occur to me that Owen would be upset because I was too excited about getting my way. If I’d thought about it for longer than two seconds, I would have known. I’m sorry to you both.”

“Thank you, Da,” I whispered into his ear. “I love you.”

Bear gathered me closer and gave me a little squeeze. “I love you too, baby, but I have to do one more thing.” Bear cleared his throat before he addressed the group, “Given my behavior, I think a punishment is in order. Gabe? Reed?”

“Absolutely, it is,” Reed guffawed, “but I’m not spanking your ass.”

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