He sighs. “Do you want the good answer or the honest one?”
“Whichever you want to give me,” I offer.
“I’ve only known for sure this last month, but I think I suspected when she left town. She never called me, and I never asked. Now I wish I had. I’m an asshole for not asking, right?”
We’re quiet for a while. Soft noises and laughter come from upstairs; the clattering of knives and the sizzle of a pan come from the kitchen.
I don’t answer his question. I think he’s already answered it for himself anyway.
“Is she going to let you be in Bella’s life? Do you want that?”
Riley runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t know if I’m cut out to be a dad. I was hoping I’d have time to grow the fuck up a bit first, you know? But yeah, I want that. I think she could use the help. I just don’t know if she’ll let me give it to her. I think she’s still not sure if I deserve another chance.”
I nod. “Is it romantic, then?”
He laughs. “Gods no. She’d bite my head off if I ever tried to go there again, but we’re talking at least. That’s something. And I know how much it means to Mom.”
Because I don’t know what else to say, we get up and set the table and then go into the kitchen and get a beer and help make the salad while the girls do whatever it is they're doing upstairs. Whatever it is involves a lot of thumping and squealing.
When I reach out to Vera, I give her a quick rundown and she sends me a choppy image of Bella dressed up in her old dress-up clothes from when we were kids.
Almost as cute as her aunt, I think/send.
Vera laughs, and then I get another image which is significantly less innocent along with a flash of heat.I think I’m getting the hang of this mate bond thing, you know.
Oh, I’d say you’ve got it.
Riley’s saying something and I have to tune my attention back into my surroundings. “...did you hear me, man? I said, are you busy on Thursday?”
“Hmm? Oh, ah… I don’t think so. Why?”
“I’m taking Bella to the park, and I could use some backup. OK, a lot of backup.”
I chuckle at my friend’s discomfort. “I think you could manage. I have faith in you.”
I take a swig of my beer just as Vera nudges back into my thoughts through the bond.Oh my god, guess what else I found at the top of my cupboard? There’s a box I need to move into your house as soon as possible. She sends a flash of images of a pretty purple vibrator and some fluffy handcuffs and a silver butt plug.Mmm, maybe you should put it in my ass next time.
I spit beer all over my place at the table and have to hurry to dab it up with the napkin before it goes everywhere. I was not prepared. Not at all.
Riley gives me an odd look. “You OK?”
“Ah, yeah. No one prepares you for the mating bond, I’ll tell you.”
His brows lift. “Then you and Ver, the whole fated mates thing is for real, then?”
“Of course. What, you didn’t believe me?”
“No, it’s just… I don’t know why, but that somehow makes it real.”
There’s a pause while we both sip our beer. I am cautious in case Vera drops another mate bond bomb on me, but she’s apparently distracted.
Riley leans back in his chair. “You know, sometimes I kinda wish…” Then he stops and leans forward with his elbows on the table. “Ah, what am I talking about? I bet it’s not everything it’s cracked up to be, right?”
I snort. “Are you crazy? It’s even better.” I grin at his dumbfounded expression. “You’ll see. Your mate is waiting out there for you. You’ll find her.”
“Maybe,” he says despondently. “Maybe after what I did to Adley I’m doomed to have bad karma forever.”
“Hey, that’s not true. I’m sure fate believes in giving second chances.”
