Sam and I exit the car, exchanging a quick glance over the hood. “Mom. Dad.” West smiles, coming over to stand next to me. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Weston?” Her lips tighten into a polite smile as she looks pointedly at Sam and me. “You didn’t mention you’d be bringing…company.”
“Especially for this little work-related excursion.” His dad arches a brow, putting his hands in his suit pockets.
West gives a sheepish smile. “Right. Sorry, guys. You remember Sam though, right?”
Both their eyes widen in recognition when they land on my alpha.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe.” Sam gives a charming smile as he reaches his hand out to Christopher.
“You as well,” his smile almost seems genuine, “how’s your dad doing? I heard he retired.”
Sam chuckles, shaking his head. “You know him. He maysayhe’s retired, but he still keeps himself busier than he did when he worked full time.”
Christopher shakes his head. “That sounds just like Sam. Not that we aren’t happy to see you, but…what are you doing here?”
“Well, this is Jo, my omega,” Sam wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close, “we were just coming up to surprise West for a visit, but since he already had this planned, he invited us to come along.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I give my most charming grin, reaching a hand out to his mom.
She takes it with a polite smile. “What an endearing accent. Where are you from, dear?”
“Georgia,” I run my hand nervously down my skirt, “a small little town about an hour from the Alabama border.”
“How charming.” She glances at Sam. “Now, I must know, how did the two of you—”
“Mom?” West jumps in, saving us from answering how we met when neither of us nailed down that part of our story yet. “I don’t want to be rude, but we have dinner reservations at six, and I really need to speak to Roland Olivier.”
“Dinner?” Christopher’s brows shoot up. “The three of you? That seems…intimate.”
I let out a little laugh. “We have some news we want to share.” I look up at Sam with lovey-dovey eyes. “West has been nothin’ but welcomin’ to me since Sammy and I found each other, and he holds a special place as my mate’s best friend.”
The words burn coming out, but his parents seem satisfied with that answer, because their demeanor warms considerably, and his mom gives me a genuine smile. “Well, maybe you could use that Southern charm to find a girlfriend for Weston.”
I push down the growl that rumbles in my chest, as West lets his head fall back on a groan. “Mom…not this again.”
“What?” She raises her hands defensively. “I just would like some grandkids before I’m too old to enjoy them.”
Something like pain and indignation rings through our bond, and I can feel the same indignation running through Sam.
Right.
It’s not like his mom and dad exactly qualify for parents of the year. Sure, they weren’t like the man I called Daddy, but according to West, they were always too busy to pay any real attention to him. It’s why he was with Sam and his dad so much growing up.
So, I cut in before West says something that gives us away.
“I’ve been tryin’, but he’s not a fan of any of the betas I’ve introduced him to.”
“Unreasonably picky.” Christopher huffs, shaking his head. “He’s never even introduced us to anyone he’s dated—”
“Okay,” West cuts in, his jaw tense. “Let’s just go see Roland, alright?"
His dad is the one to put his hands up this time. “Sure, sure. Should we take our car or yours?”
“My car,” Sam says quickly, taking a step forward. “I’ve, uh…developed some control issues since leaving the military.”
Well, at leastonepart of our story is true.
