Read Online Alpha Ever After (Midnight Liaisons Book 5) by Jessica Sims - Free Book Online Page B

try not to notice that his grip is a little weak. He seems nice enough, with an easy face and salt and pepper hair. He’s got laugh lines, which are nice, and he’s dressed well. His cart has only a few things in it. “I take it Austin mentioned me to you?”
    “He did. Your brother’s a great guy.” His gaze strays to Galen, an obvious question in his eyes.
    Oh. Right. I smile and put a hand on Galen’s shoulder. “This is Galen. He’s a…student I’m helping out.”
    Just then, Eoghan comes around the corner with my shopping cart. He’s eating a bagel with exaggerated motions of his jaw.
    “Annnnd there’s my other student,” I say, rushing forward. I snatch the bagel out of Eoghan’s hands and shove it back into the open plastic bag, then shoo him away from the cart. This is awkward.
    Craig just chuckles. “I see you’ve got your hands full.”
    I give him a grateful look. “You have no idea.”
    “I’m hungry,” Eoghan protests.
    “See that counter over there?” I say, pointing at the bakery. “Go and ask the woman there for a cookie.” They keep them mostly for little kids, but I’ve no doubt that two big good looking guys can score a free treat. Both Primordials head over there, and I give Craig an awkward smile. “It’s a little chaotic at times.”
    “Are they special needs?” he asks in a gentle voice.
    Umm. Not in the way he thinks. I decide to change the topic. “So how are you liking Texas?”
    “It’s hot here,” he says. “But a lot of good people.”
    That’s code for ‘lots of shifters’. Our area of North Texas has the largest shifter population in the US. I nod. “There are. So you moved here for a job?”
    He grins and launches into a spiel about corporate accounting and a new division that needed his expertise. I try to look interested as he tells me all about corporate jargon and politicking, but I’m a little bored…and I’m trying to watch Eoghan and Galen out of the corner of my eye without seeming obvious. The girl at the bakery counter is flirting with them, and I can hear her giggles from over here as she gives them bites out of all kinds of sweets.
    I hope I’m not going to have to pay for all of those.
    “So when is the big day?” Craig asks.
    “Hm?” Oh, my baby. Babies. I put my hand to my stomach. “Not for another four months. Did my brother mention it’s twins?”
    Instead of being frightened, his eyes light up. “Really? I’ve always wanted a big family. It gets lonely by yourself.”
    Point in his favor. I find my smile returning. “There are a lot of us here, so you’ll be more than welcome at any family occasions we happen to have. I’m pretty sure my cousin Beau’s planning a barbecue next weekend. You’re welcome to come along if you like.”
    “I’d love that.” He tilts his head. “Will you be there?”
    I nod, feeling shy. It’s been months since I’ve felt pretty - hard to feel pretty when you’re constantly puking and things on your body are swelling out of proportion. But Craig’s attention is doing wonders for my wounded ego. “Give me your number and I’ll send you a text with the address.”
    We exchange phones and contact information, and then I make my excuses and round up my two charges. Eoghan leaves the bakery with a bag of donuts and Galen leaves with a phone number - not that he knows what to do with it. I herd them toward the checkout, lost in thought. I’m not sure how I feel about Craig. He seems like a nice guy, but talking to him about dating feels…like betrayal. I’m not sure what to think.
    It’s not like I’m with Connor. Not really. I know he’d like to claim me as his mate, but I’m the one with the issues. I’m the one that puts the foot down. We’ve gotten together a few times since the big ‘Heat’ but each time, things haven’t worked out. He says something or does something and it reminds me of the kidnapping. Of the heat. The last time we were together was at the last Russell