Page 39 of A Furry Thing Called Love
“He wouldn’t.Mostly because he thinks it’s boring.I’m a forensic accountant.”
“Jordan’s right,” I tell them.“Boring.”
Valery laughs.“Oh, I like you.You’re going to fit in well with the rest of the family tonight.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Trust me, they’re going to love you.Luka found himself some good people.If they weren’t, I wouldn’t have allowed him anywhere near them.”
That makes me feel a little better, but of course, I’ve learned over the years to be cautious.Will was a prime example of people I didn’t want to be around.I just had to do things the hard way, and stay with him longer than I should have in order to get that through my head once and for all.I’ve always been stubborn like that.
Val and I lapse into comfortable silence, drinking our coffee while Eli lays his head on my thigh, and Indie falls asleep across my feet.It’s…more peace than I’ve had for a long time, and that’s a gift I can’t ever repay them.
Valery pullsinto the driveway of a light-yellow, two-story house.“Ready for the firing squad?”they ask as they shut off the car.
“Bring it on.”I grin, not faking the excitement that rushes through me.
Before we even get to the door, it’s opened and a teenager stands there, bouncing on their toes, a cat precariously perched on their shoulder.“Oh, my God, you brought dogs!”
“Take a chill pill, Cal,” Valery calls out.
“There is no chill here, Val, only puppers,” the teen says in return.
Valery sighs.“Can we at least get in the house first?”
The teen stands back and Valery gestures for me to go first.The entryway is small, but the teen—Cal—moves away from the door, into a doorway that leads to what I realize is the kitchen.
“Callum, don’t make a nuisance of yourself,” someone says from across the room.
“I’m not!”Cal shoots back.
Valery brushes past me and heads into the kitchen.“Come on,” they say.“Rory won’t bite.”
“Not unless you ask,” the voice calls out.
I laugh a little, following Valery into the kitchen, with Eli at my side.
“It smells amazing in here,” Valery says.
“Thanks.It’s one of the recipes Callum found online.”
“Uh-oh,” Val replies.
“Don’t worry, I made it for him and my mom the other day, and they’re both still alive, so it’s fine.Cal, how about you go get your Dad and Luka?Let them know we have guests.”
“But puppers…” the teen whines.
“Callum.”
“Fiiinnee.”The teen, and their cat, walk out of the room.
“Sorry about him.I have no idea where he gets his dramatics from.I’m Rory, Callum’s father, and Grae’s ex-husband.”
I reach for Rory’s hand, trying not to be taken by his twinkling green-blue eyes, that tell me he knowsexactlywhere his son gets his drama from.“Arlo, Jordan’s friend.Thanks for having me.”
Rory smiles.“It’s truly my pleasure.”
“And I’m Jordan, Luka’s cousin.”Jor steps up to my side, and I resist the urge to lean against him.
