“Going inside,” I explain patiently. “That’s where the rest of my family is. They’re waiting for us.”
He stares at me, then flicks his gaze to the door. Is he having some kind of traumatic event? Is it the door? But I’ve seen him use doors all the time.
“We’re having dinner with my parents, remember? Did you want to portal inside, is that it?”
Horror crosses his face and seemingly jerks him back to the present. “No, of course not! That would be unforgivably rude. It’s… We’re just going to walk in?”
Ahhh. “Mom would be mad if we didn’t. This is my childhood home, and she gets weird about it if any of us kids ring the bell. It doesn’t matter how many times we explain that we don’t live here anymore.” I shrug. “Nobody wants to make Mom mad, so…” I step around him, shoving the door wider, and call, “Hello?”
“Living room,” Kyle yells, followed by, “Ow! What was that for?”
Mom appears in the front hall just as Ari steps over the threshold and carefully closes the front door. She’s smiling wide, but it’s her pleased-to-meet-you smile that she uses on strangers. I distract her with a hug and kiss and resist the urge to roll my eyes. Ari needs a minute to get himself together.
“Hi, Mom. How’s work?” I say into her hair.
She draws back enough to see my face, studying it the way she always does before she’s satisfied that I’m hale and whole. “You look well, Fe. You’re following the diet and exercise plans the trainer set up for you? I’ve been doing some reading, and?—”
“I’m following everything, and I feel so much better. I can still tell that my hormones are different from before puberty started, but it’s kind of muted. I’m more in control now.”
Her face softens. “I’m so glad. My baby… If I’d had any idea it was?—”
“I know, Mom,” I interrupt. “None of us knew. But I’m good. Now, come and meet Ari.” I take her arm, and we turn toward my friend. I recognize that expression on his face—it’s the one I remember from our first few meetings, the one that somehow manages to be expressionless and also disdainful. Ari’s got an incredible resting bitch face, the kind that doesn’t look like he wants to kill you, just that he thinks you’re garbage he has to scrape off his shoe.
Not the best first impression to give my mother.
“You must be Ari,” she says, pasting the smile back on and holding out her hand. “I’m Shayla Ansas, Felix’s mother.”
Ari shakes her hand and also does this awkward bow over it. I don’t know why he’s so nervous—it’s not like I told them I was bringing home a boyfriend. He’s my friend, and all of us have invited friends over for dinner throughout the years. We’re that kind of family.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Dr. Ansas. Thank you for having me in your home.”
Mom flicks me a glance, eyebrows raised, but her smile becomes a little more genuine. She’s used to dealing with nervous people—nobody’s ever super calm when they meet the surgeon who’s going to cut into them.
“Felix’s friends are always welcome here,” she says firmly. “Come and meet the rest of the family. I’ve warned them to be on their best behavior, but most of us haven’t met an elf before—that we know of anyway.”
I fall in behind them, enjoying the way Ari glances over his shoulder to make sure I’m following. This is turning out to be a huge surprise—according to Dáithí, the only time Ari was less than polished and PR perfect was when he and I were clashing. He’s not like that with me anymore, but then, he’s also not Mr. Face of the DEA around me, either.
Slipping my phone out of my pocket, I shoot off a quick text to Dáithí.
Ari is not good at meeting parents.
Even as I put my phone away to accept the onslaught of familial hugs, I can feel it vibrating with a reply. Too bad—poor Dáithí has to wait until later.
Riley is, as usual, in felid form, stretched out on one of the sofas and taking up far too much space. I pause beside him longenough to ruffle his fur in a way that has him hissing, then go say hi to my dad, who looks morose.
“I’ve been banned from my own kitchen,” he announces as I give him a hug. “Your mother decidedshewanted to cook today.”
“It’s only fair that she gets a turn sometimes.” I manage to keep a straight face while I say it. “Plus, this way you’ll get the chance to talk to Ari about the physiology of his species. Oh—and dragons. Did you know that they’re not actually shifters at all?”
Dad’s whole being lights up. “Yes! I heard something about that, but I never managed to get any details. Do you think Ari would know?”
I shrug. “We can ask.” I turn just as Mom leads him over. “Ari, this is my dad, Claes.”
Once again, Ari awkwardly shakes hands and bows. I don’t know enough elves to know if that’s some kind of formal ritual. Dáithí could tell me, but he’s probably mad right now about me not replying to his message.
“Hello, Ari.” Dad pumps Ari’s hand with both of his. “It’s so nice to meet you. Come and sit, and let’s talk. Did Felix tell you I specialize in interspecies neuroscience and how our brains differ from each other’s across species?”
Ari visibly relaxes, though the glance he casts me wryly promises retribution. “No, he didn’t. That must be fascinating.”
