Page 68 of Always Say Yes to a Dragon

My stomach dropped. “Um. Yes?”

“So you told that dragon all our business? You know Dwayne hates it when you give us money. He’ll be furious if he figures out you asked your boyfriend for it.”

I’d never givenDwaynea cent in my life. I gave Mama money. She was the one who always gave it straight to Dwayne, and Dwayne was the one who always flipped out about it.

But since pointing that out would only start a different argument, I said, “No. He gave it to me. It’s a dragon dating custom.”

I opened the door to the apartment building. Glanced at the elevator and took the stairs, even though it was fifteen flights. We still needed to talk, and I needed to move while I did it.

“And what does a rich boy like that want in exchange for all that cash?” Mama demanded.

“Mama. Please.” The plea echoed off the hard concrete of the stairwell. I lowered my voice. “He’s not like that.” As if I hadn’t made the same assumption.

Although…I remembered the way he’d reacted in the dressing room. He’d said dragons didn’t give blow jobs. The idea of introducing him to that pleasure had intoxicated me, but now I wondered again—had he pursued me because I’d do things a dragon wouldn’t? Did he wantahuman,anyhuman?

“Look, why don’t you meet him?” I swallowed. “I’m supposed to meet his parents next week, so he’ll want to meet you, too.”

Nerves raked my insides. If Az’s family was as glamorous and exacting as his siblings, what was he going to think of Mama’s unrefined manners and my modest upbringing? Not to mention Dwayne’s penchant for taking offense at the smallest slight. This was a disaster waiting to happen.

Mama breathed for long seconds. “He wants you to meet his family?” I could practically hear the gears turning in her brain, decidinghey, maybe he isn’t so bad.

How much of my family should I let him meet so early on? He had no notion of the disparity between our classes, had thought Iownedan entire apartment complex. Mama lived right here in Kilinis, but my extended family was out in Elliston.

How would I explain trailer parks? A double-wide would fit in his living room. Would he look down on them, and by extension me? I couldn’t date yet another guy who thought he was better than me.

“Yes.” I forced a brighter note into my tone. “I’ve already met his sister and brother.”

“Did you get on?”

“I think so.” I wasn’t about to delve into the nitty-gritty with Mama. Az had assured me Tika liked me, even if she had a funny way of showing it. Udar was a whole different kettle of fish. He seemed to like me a little too much.

“Fine. Dwayne and I can meet your dragon. But I don’t want himthinking we’re a charity case.”

I gripped the handrail and dragged myself up the stairs while we chatted about lighter, easier topics until I stopped at Az’s apartment door. After hanging up, I took a deep breath and knocked.

17

Elle

He swungopen the door, then frowned. “Didn’t you get the key I left in your apartment?”

“I haven’t been by yet.”

He pulled me inside. “Arum, you shouldn’t have to knock on my door.”

His hand closed around my waist. I should have gone by my apartment first, showered and changed before seeing him. Every speck of grime and grease and sweat I’d accumulated throughout the day itched on my skin.

“I’ll go grab it.” But I didn’t move out of his grasp, and he pulled me farther inside.

A flash of red caught my attention, and I tugged back, open-mouthed.

The first time I’d been in here, there’d been an ornate gold chalice sitting pride of place, impossible to miss as soon as I stepped inside. He’d swapped it out for something else.

“Holy shit. You put my gift on display.” The last time I’d seen the little amigurumi, it’d been sitting on his kitchen counter.

His wings twitched. “Of course.”

“You liked it that much?”

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