Playing the Game

42. Where the Magic Happens

When the door opens, Vera's welcoming smile shines through as she greets us warmly and ushers us inside and out of the cold. Mom doesn't waste any time shedding her winter layers and offering one of those friendly mom hugs to Vera. The two of them appear to be long lost friends, which has me questioning exactly what they've been talking about since they got each other's numbers to plan this dinner.

"What do you know..." A deep voice, attached to a slightly older version of the boy consuming my thoughts, comes in from around the corner. Grayson's dad is tossing a very mischievous smile right at my dad, and I know my little brother is just building his case by the second at this point. "Officer Sallow, in my house, for dinner."

An elbow slams into my side and my eyes drop to Lucas. "You hear that?" He's deeply amused, of course. "He called him officer. Dad so arrested him once. I'm gonna get to the bottom of this before we leave tonight."

My brother, always sticking his nose where it doesn't belong in the name of detective work. Where there's a puzzle to be solved or a secret to uncover, count him in. But his need to uncover, or manifest, this particular storyline has me rolling my eyes.

"Adler," Dad tips his head, offering the world's most standard greeting.

I don't exactly know what's happening, but Grayson's dad looks oddly pleased right now while Tommy seems to be holding back some type of...something. But before I can even begin to figure it out, a warm pair of hands come sliding around my waist, putting an immediate smile on my face.

"I missed you," Grayson whispers against my ear, a quick gesture before he's stepping aside, his fingers trailing across my back as he moves around me, sticking out a hand toward my dad. "It's good to see you again."

I'm still all fuzzy butterflies and wobbly knees thinking about the way his breath just warmed my neck. Too far buried in a dizzy haze to even attempt to take in the conversation surrounding me right now. What I am aware of is how much my skin is craving his touch, how my chest is aching from the need to be near him right now.

Three whole days.

"Mia," Vera smiles, snapping me out of my spiral of inappropriate thoughts. "It's so wonderful to see you again." She steps forward, wrapping me up in a hug. It's one of those warm, welcoming ones. I'm pretty sure it's her gift. "I've been meaning to thank you, again, for staying with Gray while he recovered. I felt so much better knowing he had you there with him."

"I'm sorry," my dad speaks up, pulling me out of the Vera welcoming bubble. "Staying with him?"

Great. Dinner with the families is off to a fantastic start. "Dad, I told you I helped him recover."

"Yep, you did. But you somehow left out the part where you stayed with him."

"Oops," Vera whispers, mouthing the word sorry as she steps away. Apparently she gets it, what it's like to have a dad who worries about his daughter's dating life.

"If it makes you feel any better, Sallow," Danny speaks up, that same little smirk Grayson wears forming across his face. "He had to refrain from all physical activity while in recovery."

Oh my gosh. My face is suddenly on fire.

"Danny Adler!" Vera whacks her husband's shoulder.

"What?" He shrugs. "I'm being serious."

"Okay," she breathes out, taking a step toward the hall. "You guys want the grand tour?" She offers a smile as she passes me, graciously changing the subject and moving us from this awkward development. "I think Danny's finally done tearing this place apart and he just loves to show it off."