Secondhand Garagyre

Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two

LAITHOG

My mate is so nervous I can smell the stress rolling off of her in waves. She wants her parents to like me.

Badly .

Though I am not sure why. To be fair, she barely knows me, and I did spring a mate bond on her. Technically , without her permission, and she is handling my addition to her life with aplomb.

But .

Introducing “ Lance ” to her patriarch and matriarch has her all out of sorts. The booth Paisley insisted we be seated at is in the corner of the room and there are not any patrons close by, so I allow a calming purr to softly rumble. It’s loud enough for her to hear, but low enough not to garner attention from the rest of the room.

Gathering her to me, I tuck her under the protection of my shoulder as my mind wanders. After we finished rutting in her bathroom , I helped her clean up before we departed to meet her patriarch and matriarch for the midday meal. I assured her that the garment she wore covered both of the vivid mating marks on either side of her neck.

I couldn’t help but smirk triumphantly at her two dogs when we exited her bathroom . Little bastards had been most displeased about being shut out of the room their human was in and voiced their grievances with yowls, grumbles and yodels.

Too bad.

They’ll have to learn to share from now on.

Paisley insisted on taking both of the little vexations to potty before we left, as they would have to stay in the backseat of her conveyance while we dine with her parents. Against my better judgement I voiced concerns about them being shut up inside such a small area. She explained that it wasn’t hot, and they had blankets to curl up within in their designated area inside her pick-up .

The jingle of the bells attached to the front door of this tavern causes Paisley to jump and pulls me from my mental wanderings. An older human couple enters, the woman bearing a striking resemblance to Paisley . That must be her matriarch, while the slender, pale-headed male walking next to her is my mate’s patriarch.

Paisley nudges me with her elbow, urging me to get out of the booth to stand and greet her parents. I can see that both humans before me look…tired. They have dark circles under their eyes and their faces are drawn with suffering. Burying a child has taken its toll on them both, but the grasp they have on one another’s hand is firm. It’s as if they’re afraid to let go of one another lest they lose their spouse as well.

“ Hi , Mom . Hi , Dad . I’d like you to meet Lance . He’s …a dear friend of mine from college. Lance , I’d like you to meet my dad, Benedict Taylor and my mom, Emmeline Taylor , my parents.”

I don’t think either of her parents caught the slight pause as she introduced me. She told me earlier that lying to them didn’t sit well with her, but she knew they wouldn’t be understanding if they knew I wasn’t human. Remembering what Paisley told me on the way from her place of trade to the tavern, I reach out with my right hand and gently, yet firmly grasp Benedicts extended hand and shake it. I repeat the same gesture with her mother as I speak. “ It is an honor to finally meet you. Paisley has always spoken highly of you during our conversations.”

Paisley’s body jerks imperceptibly. Ah , she didn’t fully understand that I’ve been listening to her talk to Patrick for months. I know all about her life and the people she loves.

Her matriarch hesitates slightly before exclaiming, “ What wonderful manners! Benedict , isn’t this lovely? Paisley finally has a man!” are the words that burst from her, her grief briefly overshadowed by the excitement of her daughter bringing a male to meet them.

Benedict lets out a quiet laugh, his demeanor staider than that of his livelier mate. “ Yes , Emmeline . I see that,” he replies.

Glancing around, I see that we are gaining notice from the other patrons, something my Paisley does not want, so I interject into Emmeline’s happy chatter. “ Won’t you have a seat? I’ll be happy to answer all your questions,” I ask with a slight wave of my hand towards the booth.

“ Oh , yes! That sounds lovely! Doesn’t that sound wonderful, Benedict ?” Emmeline exclaims as she slides into the booth across from where Paisley and I are standing. Offering my hand, I help Paisley back into the booth under her patriarch’s watchful gaze.

I must have done something right because some of the tension in his body relaxes after watching me solicitous of his daughter. Extending a hand, he claps me on the shoulder, and I barely move my wing out of the way in time. “ Lance , I think we are going to get along just fine.”

I breathe a sigh of relief at the acceptance in his voice. Looking over I see the happiness on Paisley’s face and I smile back at her, my heart full of love for her.

Her smile falters, just a bit, as she rubs at her chest with one tiny hand, before it blooms into something so beautiful it takes my breath away.

She feels my love for her.

It is enough…for now.