39
“ H ey, my sweet girl!”
Erin hugged her grandmother as her dad followed behind her with their luggage. She glanced over Grams’ head at the amused look on her dad’s face and knew that something funny had happened on the plane or that Erin was about to get in trouble. Her dad always seemed to get a kick out of her grandmother scolding her. When she felt a hard sting on her ass, she knew it was the latter.
“Ouch, Grams,” Erin stated, instinctively reaching back to rub the spot while looking down at the other woman. Her grandmother was five feet of pure energy at her age. She would admit that she was amused. Grams had gone from hugging her like she missed her most in the world to popping her for whatever reason.
“Why did I have to find out from your father that you were in a, a um…” Grams trailed off, snapping her fingers. “A polymorph!” she exclaimed when the word came to her. The incorrect word.
“Julia, I think that’s part of a video game,” her dad said, amusement evident in his voice.
“You know what I’m trying to say.” Grams began to whisper. “Why didn’t you tell me you were getting two dicks? I had to find out from Morris.”
“Okay, Julia. I didn’t say it like that.”
Erin laughed, shaking her head. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“I was surprised.” She looped her arm through Erin’s and headed towards the exit. “Tell me all about it.”
“Why don’t we get some lunch, and I’ll fill you in before taking you to your hotel.”
Like her father, her grandmother always got a hotel room when visiting her. Erin had told them multiple times that she didn’t mind them staying with her, but they didn’t want to encroach on her space. She thought it silly since she had no problems encroaching on theirs when she visited them.
When they were seated in a restaurant close to their hotel, drinks on the table and waiting for their food, her grandmother looked at her expectantly.
“I met Paetyn and Cruz three years ago when Alijah moved here. We were friendly when I visited. It wasn’t until last year that I noticed their behavior towards me changing. I ignored it because of our friends; we were the odd people out, and people sometimes playfully flirted. Paetyn and I exchanged numbers because he was coming to Florida for an expo and wanted to get a tattoo. From there, we continued to text, and he gave Cruz my number after asking me. The rest fell into place.”
“How old are they? What do they do? What’s the sex like? Come on, Erin. Morris wouldn’t tell me anything once he knew I wasn’t aware.”
Her father snorted. “Even if I had told you something, how would I answer that last question?”
Erin laughed at the appalled look on her dad’s face. She wasn’t surprised by Grams’ last question. She’d always been all about having open conversations and was easy to talk to. She supposed that was where her mother had gotten it, where her father had adapted it.
“They’re both thirty-eight, but Paetyn will be thirty-nine next month. Cruz owns a security company, C.A. Advanced Technologies, which, at this point, I have my suspicions that it’s taking over the world, and he might be Batman.” Her Grams laughed. “Paetyn is a restauranter. He owns over two dozen and was recently a judge on a cooking show that airs next month.”
“Look at you snatching up two established men and not some bum with a pipedream,” Grams responded. “I’d like to visit one of his restaurants while we’re in town, and I want to see your shop.”
“I can take you to see it tomorrow. I know you might be tired from the flight.”
“You’re closed on Monday, aren’t you?” her dad asked.
“Yeah, but I can still take her to see it, and I’ll ask Paetyn about dinner at one of the restaurants for Tuesday. I’d like you all to meet before Thanksgiving, and since you’re flying out Friday morning, it’ll be the best time to visit one.”
“I’d like that,” Grams responded. “Now, you didn’t answer my last question. The sex?”
“Julia, please. I don’t want to know how they have sex.”
“Morris, stop acting like you’re averse to talks of sex. I remember catching you and Andrea often going at it like rabbits.”
Her dad groaned, and Erin laughed. He’d never had an issue with her talking to him about anything, but sex had never been something she spoke about with him for obvious reasons. Erin would spare them both.
“I’ll tell you all about it when it’s just the two of us,” Erin responded, though she was not going to tell her grandmother much more than that she was having sex. Their food arrived shortly after, and they spent the rest of lunch catching up.
“T his is nice, Erin,” Grams stated, sitting on the couch beside her after their tour.
“Thank you. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect place.”
“I love the setup and the decor.” Grams ran her hand over the couch. “Where did you get this couch?”
“I honestly can’t tell you. It was already decorated when they gave it to me for my birthday, and I was so in love with it. I never even thought to ask where they’d gotten things from.”
“That was sweet of them.” Grams took her hands, squeezing them gently. “You seem very happy. You’ve allowed two more people in, and I’m glad you could.”
“I am. They make me happy.”
Erin hadn’t tried to let any of her past partners close for a long time, keeping them at bay and keeping things casual, which ultimately ended some relationships. She didn’t want to constantly open herself up and be left disappointed or feel like she was too clingy, needy, or demanding of their time when she got attached. She knew those things were a turnoff and that they would cause issues in the relationship and make it feel like she didn’t trust them; it was far from the truth.
Yes, she could have explained to them that she suffered from a disorder, but the two times she’d tried to do so in the past, she’d been called a liar and accused of using that as an excuse to make herself feel better about wanting to be where they were as she obviously didn’t trust them. So, she shifted what she wanted from relationships. She kept her expectations to fun, and if she was pushed for more, for a deeper commitment, she withdrew and walked away, aware that it was unhealthy.
She didn’t feel like that with Paetyn and Cruz. When they had the conversation at the park, she panicked and withdrew by pushing them away. Both men wanted to do things for her, buy her things, and how they viewed the depths of their relationship seemed real to her, though she didn't know how to digest it. However, a part of her nagged the entire way to her apartment that day. She didn’t want them to leave it that way and decided she wanted to tell them. They would believe her, or they wouldn’t.
Erin knew she’d been dating the wrong people when she finally opened up because they hadn’t batted an eye. They’d done nothing but reassure her. She wanted to attribute dating two men to why they hadn’t gotten upset with her clinginess and neediness, but she knew that was not true.
She’d spent almost every minute she wasn’t working under Paetyn while Cruz was gone and spent every second she could breathing Cruz’s air while Paetyn was away. It also didn’t matter what they were doing; if she entered a room they were in, one, if not both, of them were touching her in some way. She realized it was them giving her what she needed without her feeling like she was being a bit extra.
“So?” Grams questioned, pulling Erin from her thoughts. “About the sex?”
Erin laughed. “Grams, I’m not going to tell you how we have sex.”
“But you are having it.”
She was an adult, and just as her grandmother had walked in on her parents a few times, she’d walked in on Erin. So, it wasn’t like the older woman thought she was a virgin.
“Yes.” A simple reply that should have sufficed.
“Come on. Let an old lady live vicariously through you. Is it one at a time in private? Does one watch while the other has his fun?” Grams’ eyes widened. “Do you take them both at the same time?!”
Erin shook her head with a laugh as she stood. “Let’s go. We’re going to be late for our spa appointment.”
Her grandmother stood, a smirk taking over her face. The mischievous look made her look ten years younger. “You do, don’t you?”
Erin would not dignify that with an answer, so they left the shop and headed to a spa where she’d booked them a massage.
W hen the door to the private room opened, Paetyn stood from the table, Cruz doing the same, and Erin, Morris, and her grandmother were led in. They approached the round table, and Erin rose on her toes to kiss him before moving over to Cruz as Morris shook his hand.
“Grams, this is Paetyn and Cruz,” Erin stated, pointing between them. “This is my grandmother, Julia.”
Her grandmother was petite—Paetyn would guess she was barely five feet tall—but it was easy to see that they were related. They’d seen pictures of Erin’s mother; those genes were strong. He was not at all surprised to find that it looked like her grandmother spit them out.
Paetyn took her hand in his, kissing it. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Careful now. I’d hate to take you from my sweet girl,” she responded with a playful smile. “But it’s nice to meet you.” Paetyn chuckled as she moved over to Cruz, bumping Morris out of the way.
“It’s a pleasure,” Cruz stated, kissing her knuckles.
“Who knew Batman was so smooth?” Julia asked. Cruz slid his eyes to Erin with a raised brow, but she waved him off.
“Shall we?” Cruz asked, pulling out one of the chairs for Julia as Paetyn pulled out the one between them for Erin.
Their server took drink orders. He and Cruz hadn’t wanted to assume Erin’s grandmother liked wine and didn’t want to offend her if she didn’t. When she asked Paetyn for a wine suggestion, he realized they didn’t have to worry about that. Silence settled over them for a minute as those unfamiliar with the restaurant looked over the menus.
“Paetyn, I don’t see the dish I got the last time. Maybe I’m overlooking it. I don’t remember the name,” Erin broke the silence.
Paetyn remembered what she’d gotten last time and realized it was one of the three dishes he’d substituted for the holiday.
“I changed a few options for the holiday.” He could still have them make it for her. It was a chicken dish, and they had all the ingredients since they were also used for other dishes. “If that’s what you want, we can order it. They’ll still be able to make it.”
Erin shook her head. “No, that’s okay. I don’t want them to have to go out of their way. Will you choose something for me?” she asked, putting the menu down.
“Of course, Angel.”
When their server returned with drinks, they placed their orders; Paetyn ordered Erin the dish she wanted because it wouldn’t be out of the way for his chef, and to be honest, even if it was, he signed their paychecks. It would get made.
“This is a nice restaurant, Paetyn. The atmosphere is nice, and this room is spacious but cozy,” Julia stated.
“Thank you. I firmly believe that people enjoy food more when their surroundings give off the right vibes.”
“How many rooms does it have?” Julia asked.
“There are two others. Most of my restaurants have private rooms or areas for more personal dining experiences or events.”
“Erin said you owned over two dozen restaurants.”
“I do, in different cities.”
She turned her attention to Cruz. “So, Batman.”
“Grams,” Erin stated with a laugh. “Cut it out.”
“What?” Julia asked. “You’re the one that said you felt like his company was taking over the world and that he was secretly Batman,” she responded innocently. Still, Paetyn could see the playful glimmer in her eyes, and he, Cruz, and Morris chuckled while Erin shook her head with a fond smile.
“A security company that my granddaughter believes is taking over the world. That’s impressive, Cruz. What type of security?”
“Majority residential and commercial,” Cruz responded.
“And the minority?” Julia asked.
“Government buildings, and other things.”
Julia hummed with a nod. “I’m going to assume that your intentions with Erin are pure and that this isn’t a game for both of you. It isn’t some odd thing you participate in to pass the time until you get bored. Because if they weren’t, this one,” she pointed at Morris. “Would not be sitting here as relaxed as he is. He likes to say she’s an adult and can make her own decisions, but even when he’s quiet about it, his dislike and disapproval is a tangible energy.” Her eyes shifted between him and Cruz. “That’s my sweet girl, so you better not hurt her. I may seem like an old lady to you, but I have excellent aim. Keep that in mind.”
“Julia, you can’t go around threatening to shoot people,” Morris stated as if it was something he’d told her a few times before.
“I didn’t. I pointed out my incredible aim.”
Paetyn chuckled as he placed his hand on Erin’s thigh, Cruz’s hand occupying the other. “I can assure you that this is far from a game to us. We’re in it for the long haul. We love Erin, and we don’t plan on going anywhere unless she gets sick of us,” Paetyn stated.
“But if for some reason you feel the need to use that impeccable aim, we’d probably deserve it, so feel free,” Cruz permitted.
Erin brought her glass to her lips. “What if I do get sick of you?”
Paetyn could see the mischievous glint in her eyes and the smirk the glass didn’t hide.
“They make medicine for that,” Cruz responded.
“They do?” Erin asked, shifting her eyes to him.
Paetyn placed his lips to his ear. “An abundant supply. We might give you a dose tonight,” he whispered.
“Morris,” Julia paused to take a drink of her wine. “I get the distinct feeling they aren’t talking about medicine in the conventional sense but are, in fact, being nasty,” she said teasingly, but Paetyn was sure she hadn’t heard him.
Morris shook his head at her words but did not respond, and Paetyn felt this was a common occurrence between the two.
“Speaking of, when the two of you are…giving doses of medicine simultaneously, does it feel like a competition?”
“Grams!” Erin stated. “Don’t answer her.”
“What?” Julia innocently asked.
“So, Julia,” Paetyn decided to change the topic. “Erin said you’re retired, living in warmer weather. Are you enjoying the easier pace?”
“I did. I put down my dental tools some time ago, and several friends and I decided we wanted to retire somewhere warm. After going back and forth, we decided on the Dominican Republic. The dollar goes a long way, and we can travel.”
They continued their conversation until their server returned. When Erin’s plate was put in front of her, she slid her eyes to Paetyn but waited until their server was gone.
“This is the dish.”
“It is,” Paetyn confirmed.
“I told you there was no need for them to go out of their way,” Erin protested.
“You also told me to order for you, which I did, and they didn’t have to go out of their way. The ingredients are used for other dishes. They didn’t have to take out anything special.” He squeezed her thigh and kissed her temple.
The conversation shifted to Thanksgiving, and Erin gave Julia and Morris a rundown. Everyone was inviting a family member or two except for Remy and Lawrence since their parents wouldn’t be in town for a visit. Caroline and Emberly were coming since Naidlyn had to work.
Paetyn hadn’t been sure having Nik’s mom there was a good idea with Talia, Lena, and Erin being there since the three women had all had a bit of an altercation with her. However, she was on her medication and had been taking it without fail for the past year.
Chayse had spoken to Talia about it, and she didn’t seem to hold any ill will toward Caroline. Lena hadn’t cared as long as Caroline kept her hands to herself, and when they’d spoken with Erin, her answer had been similar to Lena’s, stating, “I don’t care if she comes, but if she puts her hands on either one of you for whatever reason, I’m going to put my hands on her.”
After dinner, the five exited the restaurant, and Paetyn and Cruz walked them to Erin’s car. They’d volunteered to drive everyone, but Erin had insisted it would be easier for her to pick them up since she was already in the city for work.
“I’m going to drop them off, grab my tablet from the shop, and then come home.”
Paetyn wasn’t sure she realized what hearing her say that did to them. They were in their second two weeks of her staying with them, and she had fallen into calling it home so easily. She kissed them both, and they watched her pull out of the parking lot before going to his car.
When they were headed home, Paetyn made a mental note to change the sheets on the guest beds if anyone needed to stay over on Thanksgiving.