Page 223 of His Flash Mate
“No.I’d rather show him and everyone else that our relationship is progressing just fine.Hope you’re ready to lose gracefully at lawn darts.”
The rest of the morning and afternoon passed in laughter and good food, none of it staged for Kaya’s pictures or videos.Konni’s grandparents were a riot.Becky teased Palmen mercilessly, and I might have felt bad for him if I hadn’t caught the heated looks he returned.
The pair disappeared a few hours before dinner “to rest,” which proved Miranda had been right about shifter mates.The spark didn’t fade.
After dinner, Becky brought out her sizable collection of gemstone jewelry and invited me to choose.I was torn between the need to admire it all and escape.
I didn’t want to take her things, but I definitely wanted to drool over them.However, I doubted I could do that without inheriting a piece or two.
Thankfully, Konni caught my look and stole me away for the rest of the night.
Becky and Palmen’spresence didn’t change our morning routine.It did add to the liveliness at the breakfast table, though, and I began to see that Kaya hadn’t been exaggerating about how quiet the house had felt without everyone there.
The four of them saw us off to work with a treat, courtesy of Palmen.
Konni caught my glance at the small pastry box.
“The guy Grandma was going to marry was a baker.She loved his pastries.So Grandpa learned how to make more impressive ones to win her over.”
“That’s so sweet,” I said.“And he made them for us?”
“He wants to give you a welcome gift, too, but he could smell how uncomfortable you were.He thought this might be more appreciated, for now.”
I studied Konni’s profile while thinking of his family’s unconditional love and support.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Drokonnen Luka Steele.”
He glanced at me, and I saw the heat enter his gaze.
“No pulling over, or I’ll take back what I said.”
He chuckled and drove us to work.
“Looked like you had fun this weekend,” Bomir said when we went to make coffee together.
He nodded to my phone, and I took a moment to check Kaya’s latest social updates.The video of me trying to distract Konni while playing lawn darts had the most comments.They loved our interaction, and the majority were cheering for the growing bond they perceived.
The tide was turning, but that didn’t mean I could relax.After delivering Konni’s coffee, I got to work.
The hours in the day disappeared almost as fast as my pastry had as I reviewed projects, fielded project manager questions, and gave Konni the attention he needed.
Before I knew it, Konni was at my desk, waiting for me to shut down.
Once we were in the car, I sighed.
“Tired?”Konni asked.
“A little, but in a good way.Two more Lianna-approved projects went to clients with in-budget enhancements.”I turned to him.“She annoys me and was a terrible boss, but I’m not so petty that I can’t admit she worked hard.I just don’t understand why she didn’t delegate to her people like you do.Did she think that would make her more indispensable to you?”
“Does it matter?She’s gone, and work goes on.”
“Good answer.”
Mom called just then.I answered on speaker.
“Hey, Baby,” she said.
“What happened?”
