Page 141 of The Hunt
I groaned and rubbed a hand over my face.
“What’s wrong?” Fenris asked.
“My mom’s attempts not to swear are just as bad as her swearing. But I love her for trying.”
He chuckled.
“They’re both amazing parents, Eliana. Thank you for allowing me to meet them.”
“It wasn’t like you gave me much of a choice.”
“If you hadn’t wanted that, you would have stopped me. You always do when I push too far. But I’m glad you didn’t, and I got to meet the people who helped shape who you are. I have to admit your dad wasn’t what I expected.”
“How so?”
“When he first arrived, you said he had hollow cheeks and a dull look in his eyes when your mom’s attention wasn’t on him. I was expecting something a lot less animated. But your dad talked to me the whole time, regardless of your mom’s attention, like a normal person.”
“Mom makes sure he eats and takes care of himself. Without her around, he’d be a lot less animated. Trust me.”
Rather than dwelling on any of that, I replied to Mom’s text.
Me: Thank you for breakfast and your effort not to swear. I love you both. Please don’t be too hard on Dad when you talk. Remember, this world is very new to him and a huge change from what he knows and believes.
Mom: I promise your father is safe with me, Eliana. Always. And thank Fenris for encouraging him to eat so much. We need you both to come over more often for meals.
Frowning slightly at the evidence to support my claim to Fenris, I dropped my phone in my purse.
“What’s the plan for meeting your dad?” I asked. “What will it take to convince him that we’re together?”
“I’ll tell you that if you tell me what your mom meant by ‘Eliana is worried about your immunity to the mindless infatuation that often results after we feed.’”
“You remembered that word for word? That’s borderline obsessive.”
“It’s observant. Just like I observed how you had allowed the subject to change then and are trying to change it now. Unconditional honesty, Eliana.”
“I’m really starting to hate that phrase.”
“Honesty shouldn’t be that hard. Not with me.”
“It is when I know you’re just going to give me dumb reassurances like, ‘I’ll be fine’ and ‘we already proved that theory wrong’ because both are wishful thinking, not fact.”
“Are we about to get into our first couple fight?” Fenris asked, his grin growing. “Hold on. Let me pull over so I’m ready for the making up part that’s going to follow.”
I reached over and grabbed the wheel.
“No to all of that,” I said with warning.
He grinned at me and pried my hand from the wheel to twine his fingers through mine.
“If I promise to be as discouraging as possible, will you tell me?”
“I’m worried about this plan of yours. You asked me to be your girlfriend in truth, and I agreed because I truly empathize with the pressure you’re under.” His thumb smoothed over mine, distracting me from my thoughts for a moment.
“This is the problem,” I said, lifting his hand and untangling his hold on me.
“Horrible problem,” he agreed. “Hand holding usually involves two hands. It’s not fun if I’m holding myself. That’s just lonely.”
I wrinkled my nose at him.
