Page 17 of Cider
The youngest of the four, Nico, dashed right up to Titus’ face and screamed. Titus just snorted, acted like he fell over and cowered in fear.
It was actually pretty cute. I was grinning when I noticed Eirlys watching me with a smile of her own.
“What?” My face red, I turned back to watch Maya.
“Nothing. It’s just, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you actually look happy like that. It’s a little weird that my father does that, but I’m no one to judge.” She looked over her shoulder at her mates who were playing with Asher and Riley, completely ignoring the yoga part.
“So,” she brought her focus back. “What are we going to do about Darcorp and Samuel? The reviews were bad enough, but now I’m hearing rumors of suppliers running out of merchandise because someone bought everything up.”
That was news to me. Maybe pranks weren’t the answer for this.
We moved into warrior pose. The kids started running through the tunnels that everyone’s legs made. Asher in the lead of the small race.
“How do we know if it was Samuel?” My brow furrowed.
Eirlys shrugged. “We don’t, but it’s an awfully big coincidence.”
We moved to clasp our hands in front of us. “If they’re really upping the game to get us out, we could see if any of the others have any ideas?”
Eirlys nodded. “I’ll let you know what I hear. In the meantime, I’m not letting that bad news sleeze anywhere near my shop.”
Focusing on the rest of the lesson, my mind ran a mile a minute. What could we actually do that would make a difference? Catch him in the act? That could work. If there was proof, the owner of the rink would have to kick them out.
A tiny head butted my right leg. Asher was standing on the flat of my foot looking up at me. Could a goat smirk?
“Yes, Ash?” My lips twitched as I held back the smile.
Asher narrowed his eyes at me, his tail went up, and he started dropping little poop balls on my mat.
“Really? Aren’t I supposed to be your favorite?” My glare didn’t phase him at all. Little shit. Literally.
That was the end of class for me. Luckily, Maya ended it after a few more minutes.
“Great job everyone. Kids, clean up the messes you made. Asher, don’t think I didn’t see what you did. You better apologize.” Maya used her ‘mom’ voice.
Ha! Served him right. There was a reason Riley was my favorite.
“Cider, could I talk to you after this?” Titus was behind me, his head tilted forward.
My body instantly relaxed. I pressed into his front without thought.
“Always, big guy.”
His hands rested on my shoulders and I’m pretty sure I felt how happy he was to be pressed against me. His eyes certainly eluded to what he was thinking.
Oh boy. It had just gotten hotter in this place.
“Hold it, Titus. Before you go all yuck on her.” Eirlys rolled up her mat. “Cider, thank you for the invite to this. It was nice to just relax. I’ll talk to some of the other store owners and get back to you. And Cider? My friends call me Lys.”
We shook hands. Which was a huge step considering we hated each other last month. She dragged my brother away with Jace and Fallon.
“Now that those idiots and my daughter are gone.” Titus squeezed my shoulders. “Let’s have that talk in my truck?”
I said goodbye to the kids and Maya. We made plans for dinner next week at her place before I walked out to the cars with my vampire mate at my side.
“So?” I looked up at him. The man was tall.
He opened the back door to his truck. His hands went to my waist, picked me up, and set me inside before I could blink. He was next to me with the door shut in the next second.
