Page 49 of A Little Red
“Well?” he demanded.
“Nailed it,” she said dropping her bags and jumping into his arms.
He kissed her, loving the way her heart beat harder for him. He swung her around and set her on her feet again.
“Did they offer you the job on the spot?” he asked pulling her into the living room.
“No, but they showed me the office I would have and the break room and told me that I would hear from them soon. And they kind of gave thesoonextra oomph.”
“In other words,” said Liam, “You nailed it.”
“Yes!” she exclaimed and kissed him again.
“Let’s go celebrate. Get something pretty on and we’ll go to Maxim’s.” He grabbed her hand and gave her a little twirl.
“Will you buy me gallons of champagne and punch vampires who hit on me?” asked Scarlet, beaming up at him.
“Um… sure? If necessary? Are you planning on getting hit on by vampires?”
“No. But when I picture rowdy evenings out, that’s what I picture now. I had no idea people did that before I met you.”
Liam laughed. “Sure, you punch one vampire one time...”
She giggled. “What? I thought it was sexy!”
“Oh, well, then,” he slid his arms around her waist. “I will punch all the vampires you want.”
The doorbell rang and they both stared at the door in surprise.
“One of the neighbors probably,” said Liam, going down the hall.
“Probably,” agreed Scarlet. He glanced back at her as he reached for the door puzzled by the way her heart was beating faster than it should be. She was worried about a neighbor? But as his hand came to rest on the doorknob, his nose twitched and he knew that it wasn’t any of the neighbors. He hesitated a long moment and then opened the door.
Paxton and their mother stood in the hallway. Liam thought he had never seen Aisling look more uncomfortable. They stared at each other. His mother looked wary. Liam’s eyes flicked to Paxton, standing behind Aisling. Paxton looked smug.
“Well,” said Scarlet, from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder at her. She looked determinedly cheerful. “I will go put the kettle on. Unless we all want to move straight to wine?”
“Tea is fine, Scarlet,” said Paxton, stepping forward, practically pushing Aisling ahead of him. “Thanks.”
Liam swung the door shut behind them and led the way into the living room. Aisling seated herself in the blue armchair and looked around the room.
“You put up one of Papa’s paintings,” she said, looking at the artwork over the fireplace.
Aisling’s father had been an odd wolf who had enjoyed a more creative outlook on life. Liam still had his custom crafted wolf backpack outfitted for paint brushes and art supplies in storage somewhere.
“Yes,” said Liam, realizing that she’d never been in his apartment.
“It looks nice.” Aisling looked around the room—everywhere but at Scarlet who was in the kitchen getting out mugs and tea.
“Mom,” said Liam, “have you met my girlfriend, Scarlet? She’s moving in with me next month.”
Aisling’s mouth flattened out into a line.
“Nothing to say?” prodded Liam.
“The only thing I have to say on the topic is that someday you will want children and you will regret this. Other than that, I came to say that I…”
Aisling hesitated as Scarlet came into the living room carrying a tray with sugar, cream, and a selection of teas. Scarlet frowned as she set the tray down on the coffee table.
