Page 123 of Eye of the Hurricane
“Like your brother looks at me. Like your mom looks at your dad.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie. “I love you. We’ll catch up later. You have people to see,” I say, slipping away from the crowd surrounding them.
I do a quick scan of the room and quickly find Katherine standing with all of our friends… Well, minus Audra and Roman. I slide into the circle they’ve made, right between her and Ravyn. Her hand snakes down and grabs mine without ever taking her focus away from the conversation.
Katherineand I are walking hand in hand to the table of hors devours when my mom leans from her chair and catchesmy wrist with her hand. She grabs me, stopping me in my tracks and in turn, stopping Kat too.
“Hey stranger,” she says, making a point that I haven’t been home much lately. “Hi, Katherine!” she greets more enthusiastically.
“Hi, Mrs. Dawkins,” Katherine replies with a warm smile.
“Hi, Mom,” I greet her, leaning down and hugging her.
“Do you have something you want to tell me?” she asks, raising a brow and lowering her gaze to Katherine’s hand wrapped in mine. I smile like a kid caught in the cookie jar.
“We planned on telling people tonight,” I say, lowering my voice so only my parents can hear.
“So you’re together now?”
“Yes.” My mom’s smile brightens.
“Good. I like her. Is that where you’ve been at all of these nights?” she asks with a smile on her face that tells me she thinks she’s caught me. She hasn’t though because I have nothing to hide. If I could scream from the rooftops that I’m the one who gets to take Katherine home at the end of every day, I would.
“Yes. I’ve been sleeping over at her house.”
She gasps and throws a hand over her mouth. “Out of wedlock?”
I just laugh and so does Kat. Luckily it’s not her first time meeting my mom so she knows she’s just joking.
“Very funny.”
“I like to think I am.”
“So, Katherine, Ares says that you got the job you were aiming for?” Mom poses it like a question.
“Yes, it’s been great. I’m so lucky,” Katherine replies.
“Not lucky, talented. You worked for your position, it didn’t fall into your lap. Don’t let anyone make you feel likeluck is what got you there,” Mom corrects. Katherine’s smile grows into a beam of sunshine.
“You’re right. I needed to hear that, thank you.”
“Anytime. Will you be coming to family Christmas?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to impose, I’m not really family.” Her answer tugs at my heart. Not just because I see her as family. But because I know my family does too. Even if she were to decide not to be with me right now, she’d still be family to the girls.
I go to speak up and tell her that isn’t the case. But my mom beats me to it.
“What? Honey, that’s just silly. Do we seem like a family that is strict on family meaning blood relatives? Of course, you’re family. If one of us loves you… which I’m assuming one of us does…” She winks at me. “Then we all love you. Gifts are not required but your attendance is.”
“I’ll be there. And of course, I’ll have gifts. Thank you for inviting me.”
We wrap up the conversation with my mother, she asks how our lives are, what our plans are, and a bunch of other random things. It’s nice to see Katherine and my mom get along.
Hand in hand we make our way over to our friends who are all already standing in a circle with drinks in hand. As we get closer I hear Ravyn’s laugh pierce through the quiet chatter.
“Make room, shitheads,” I announce, pushing my way into the tight circle they’ve formed. They open it up enough to fit me and Kat between Ravyn and Luna.
“I know it just happened, so I get it if not but do you have anything in mind for the wedding?” Katherine asks Audra. Audra’s smile spreads ear to ear. She has no idea the can ofworms she’s opened. I’ve heard it all, I’ve seen the Pinterest boards, I’ve even seen the dresses.
