Page 51 of A Little Red
“I’m going to Scarlet’s for Christmas,” said Liam. Behind Aisling, Paxton looked like he was trying to contain a fit of giggles.
“You’re all welcome to come,” said Scarlet. “You would have to sleep in the barn though. And you can’t eat the chickens.”
“I don’t do… either of those things,” said Aisling looking offended.
“Bullshit.” Paxton’s fake cough fooled no one and this time it was Liam who had to contain his laughter.
Aisling glared at all of them. “I am going home now. Paxton, let’s go.”
“Yes, Mom,” said Paxton grinning. “Scarlet, it was nice to see you. Liam, I’ll call you next week.”
Liam waited until they were out of the apartment before turning back to Scarlet.
“I really did not get that was what you were trying to tell me.”
“Well, I see that now,” said Scarlet. “Are you all right with it?”
“Well no,” he said downing most of his glass of wine. “Because I have been completely careless with the condoms. What if you had gotten pregnant? We’re not ready for that!”
“I have a spell for that,” said Scarlet. “Keeps the babies away and my hormones at really stable levels. We’re good.”
“Oh.”
He poured another glass of wine and stared at it.
“My mother totally caved, didn’t she?”
“Yes, I believe so, but she managed to do it without actually apologizing or admitting she was wrong. Which is a bit annoying,” said Scarlet, frowning.
“Never going to happen,” said Liam. “I’m not even sure how Paxton got her here in the first place.”
“Dunno,” said Scarlet with a shrug. “He probably just convinced her to listen to reason.”
“Yeah…” said Liam. “Not really seeing that one happening either.”
Scarlet shrugged again, but her eyebrows remained suspiciously high. She really was the worst liar.
“You called him, didn’t you?”
“You were sad,” wailed Scarlet. “I had to do something. And Paxton was nice to me. I figured he didn’t hate me. So… I had to try. I thought maybe I could convince him to see you on the side. You know… like a side pack.”
Liam couldn’t stop himself from snorting in amusement.
“He said it wouldn’t work though and it was just time for your mom to stop using her third shape.”
“Third shape?” asked Liam, frowning.
Scarlet cleared her throat and looked guilty. “Jackass,” she muttered and this time Liam couldn’t stop the full-throated guffaw that burst out of him.
“Oh, God, I’m going to cry,” he said wiping his eyes.
“Anyway, I don’t know what he did, but I got the text that they were coming on the way home from the interview.”
“Devious,” said Liam, shaking his head.
“Maybe.” Scarlet looked unrepentant. “But at least we’re all official with your family now,” she said, grinning. “And as soon as I get my new job, we can be officially official everywhere.”
She came around the kitchen counter and slid her arms around his neck. Liam felt his face crack into the largest smile he’d had in days.
