Page 4 of Forbidden Daddy Mate
“You should still have transportation,” Malcolm said. “I can take a look at it if you want.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” I said, waving my hand. “I think it might be time to get a new car altogether, though I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that before everything.”
Malcolm rubbed his stubble. “We live nearby. If you’re willing to come up the day before, you can hitch a ride with me.”
“You’re going up early?” I asked.
He nodded. “I want to set up a few surprises for the kids, but you’re more than welcome to come and join me. I could always use the extra hands.”
Something about the thought of spending time alone with Malcolm made me hesitate. It wasn’t that he was creepy or anything—the exact opposite. It was more the fact that he was Jenn’s dad, and while I loved Jenn and she was my best friend, that didn’t equate to having anything in common with her father. I could just imagine the entire car ride and the time until everyone else got there filled with awkward silences as we tried to figure out what to say to each other. Or just effectively ignoring each other as we did our own thing. It wasn’t exactly my idea of a good time.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Malcolm added, bringing me back to the present. “I’m sure you’re more than capable of getting up there yourself. But some of those roads are pretty nasty, and if your car is already acting up, there’s a good chance you could get stranded. I’d feel better knowing that you were at least driving up in a reliable car.” He shrugged. “Plus, the company is always nice.”
I glanced over at Jenn, then at Malcolm. It was hard not to notice the large, well-toned muscles and the messy stubble over a strong, square jaw. Something about it made my wolf stir with interest. I looked away.
There really wasn’t any harm in riding with him. The worst that could happen would be some awkward conversations for a day, and then everyone else would be there.
“All right,” I said. “That would be great. Thanks.”
He beamed. “Fantastic! I’ll pick you up at noon the day of. Sound good?”
I nodded. It would be fine. A little awkward, but fine.
After all, what was the worst that could happen?
Chapter 3 - Malcolm
“Throw your things in the backseat,” I said as Freya came to the car. “The trunk’s full.”
Freya clambered into the passenger seat after throwing her duffle bag in the backseat. The smell of ginger and honey filled the car, making my wolf stir with interest. He raised his head and sniffed the air. I tried to ignore it, but it was hard when her scent was that appealing.
“Thanks again,” she said.
“Of course. I wasn’t going to let you miss out on all the fun because of a defunct car.”
She snorted, settling into the seat as she buckled in. “I need to get it fixed,” she admitted. “I just haven’t had the chance.”
“Let me know if there’s any way I can help,” I said.
Snow started falling not ten minutes after leaving the outskirts of town. I frowned, flicking the wipers.
“Gonna be a nasty one,” I said.
“How can you tell?” She looked up at the dark clouds.
“You get a sense for these types of things,” I explained. “I’ve been caught in enough rough storms to know when to be on the lookout.”
She nodded, but that was her only response. An uncomfortable tension hung in the air, a weird sort of stiffness as both of us flailed for something to say. Neither of us knew the other well enough to create an organic conversation, so empty space hung between us at the start of the journey, drowned out only by the Christmas music blaring on the radio.
The road wound up into the mountains, sharp curves and falling snow forcing me to drive slower than I would have liked. I hoped the worst of the storm would die off soon, otherwise the roads would be impassable for the rest of the group the following day. I tapped my finger on the steering wheel, then glanced over at Freya, who was staring out at the landscape.
“How are you adjusting to the pack?” I asked.
She started as if surprised by the question, then furrowed her brow as she hesitated. “I don’t know.” She fidgeted in her seat. “I love it here. Everyone is really nice, and it’s definitely better than California. I’m a lot happier. But…” she paused, trying to gather her thoughts. I looked over in time to see her teeth worrying her lip. “But it’s been hard to put some of that stuff behind me, you know? Getting chased by creeps halfway across the country and getting beaten up by them isn’t the easiest thing in the world to handle. I still have dreams about it sometimes.”
She shivered, then her eyes widened. “God, sorry,” she groaned. “That was way too much to just dump on you without warning.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry about it.” My hand twitched, and I almost moved it to rest on her knee reassuringly. Then I paused, thinking better of it. “And I understand.”