Page 23 of Forever Fascinating

“Hey Motormouth,” Alpo said gently, walking directly towards her and leaning down to kiss his wife, before dropping a kiss on his son’s forehead, and glancing at Matthew.

“Mornin’ Vapor. How’d you sleep?”

“Good. Thank you for suggesting the phone yesterday. I appreciate it.”

“You’ll be needing it…” Glory said in a singsong, all-knowing voice, as she got to her feet. “Hunter, do you want some coffee, sweetheart?”

“Baby, sit down and I’ll get it,” he urged, and Glory smiled knowingly, looking at Matthew.

“I seriously love that man with my entire being…” she sighed happily, causing Matthew to smile. “Hunter is the best thing that ever happened to me, and we’ve never looked back, have we, babe?”

“I’d change a few things,” Alpo chuckled lightly, casting a knowing glance at his wife. “But only so long as the outcome was the same.”

He put a coffee mug on the table beside Glory and then refilled her pink mug before holding the carafe aloft towards Matthew.

“Vapor? More coffee?”

“Please,” Matthew replied. “And thank you.”

“Sure thing,” Alpo said easily and then looked at him. “Sooooo, you and Hot Cakes sister, huh?”

Glory made a noise of delight that sounded between a cry of happiness and a high-pitched squeal as she clapped her hands, regardless of having the baby in her arms. The nearly asleep infant was jostled just enough to cause milk from his bottle to run down his chin as he slept on, completely unfazed.

“I think it’s incredibly sweet that you two are talking,” Glory rushed out in excitement. “The way you two danced together was so moving. It was like watching Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. I mean, you were whisking her around like a pro, across the ballroom floor at times, and Jana was just falling into step like you’d done this a million times. Did y’all practice? How long have you known each other? Was this some secret-wedding-dance-thing that you planned, because if so? It was great, and I had no idea that people still danced like that. I thought dancing was a lost art, but you,maestro… you are smooooooth with the ladies!”

“Honey, take a breath…” Alpo teased lovingly, smiling at her, before turning to Matthew. “Hot Cakes is left-handed… so watch for the hook, but I think you are going to be alright, so long as you take things slow.”

“He’s left-handed?”

“Yep. You haven’t seen a brawl in the barracks yet?”

“Actually, I have, but he’d slammed his shoulder into my middle, pinning me on the lockers while I whaled on his kidneys,” Matthew admitted sheepishly. “I probably shouldn’t have, but man he can be annoying sometimes.”

“The know-it-all, arrogant attitude?”

“Exactly.”

“The man is loyal, trustworthy, family-oriented and kind, as the day is long,” Alpo also pointed out, taking a sip of his coffee. “Just remember that, because if you can look for the reasoning behind his comments, or attack, then you’ll know where the soft spot is.”

“The soft spot is his sister,” Matthew frowned, remembering the warning.

“It’s his family,” Alpo agreed, watching him. “So, you need to focus on being kind, loyal, and trustworthy to the entire family - which means, take things slow and be good to her. If Jana Sorensen isn’t the one and you are just having a good time?” he hesitated, long enough to cause Matthew to look up at the other man.

“Run,” Alpo said flatly.

“One piece of advice… you better decide what you want before either of you gets hurt. If you break his sister’s heart, Hot Cakes will break your face. I can tell you that much.”

Matthew sat there, unsure of what to say.

“I just met this young lady…” Matthew finally whispered, looking up at the two of them and feeling like an idiot even discussing any of this with the couple he just met two days ago. “Sheaskedmeout to lunch today and maybe I should cancel if it’s that big of a problem. I mean, I barely know her and…”

“Thengetto know her,” Glory said gently, reaching over the table to pat his arm and Alpo frowned, causing her to draw back her hand immediately. “Get to know her, talk to her, don’t you think, Hunter?”

“Lunch between two friends is innocent,” Alpo said, looking at Glory. “Talk, get to know her, and just keep it in mind that this is not someone to fool around with. This is someone that is our wingman’s sister, so she’s considered a part of our larger family.”

Glory nodded in understanding, smiling at her husband.

“We protect and care for our own, which is why we’ve opened our homes to you all. You are one of our brothers and therefore, our friend. That’s why we would protect you, Vapor, just as we would protect Jana Sorensen… and why so many people are concerned.”

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