Page 168 of Forget

I’m driving Aisling today, and one of her appointments, on her calendar is with Dr. Alys. I didn’t ask her where we were going as I handed her a muffin and coffee this morning, and simply walked her to Aiden’s SUV.

Valentine’s Day is in three days, and I’m unsure if we’re supposed to make a big deal about it or not. It’s simply another day for our pack, but Aisling is different. I want to do something for it.

I just want to see if anyone else wants in on whatever I decide to do. My job makes me a bit of a recluse since I work alone for so much of it. Now, my life has changed a lot, and I don’t miss it.

I do miss having an excuse to hang out with my pack, even if it was just Domh. We’ve all been very busy the last few months, and we’re on different schedules. It would be nice to have a date together.

“Do you know where you’re going?” Aisling asks, amused.

“Mmhmm,” I say. “First stop is to see Hollis, and then you have an appointment with Dr. Alys.”

“Do I want to know how you know that?” she asks. There’s a smile on her lips as she eats her breakfast and I shrug as I drive.

“I have your calendar on my phone,” I tell her. “Every update is added, so I have a real time plan for what your days look like. This way, you can drink your coffee, eat breakfast, and fully wake up.”

“You’re my hero,” she sighs, surprising me. “They’re all up my ass first thing in the morning. I’m not really a morning person, I just don’t like to admit it to people.”

That explains so much.

“Happy to help,” I murmur, smirking.

The rest of the drive is peaceful, and I can see Aisling waking up. It’s a slow progression from kind of grumpy to aware and in a better mood. When we arrive at Hollis’ place of business, she waves at me as she hops out to talk to her.

Call me an asshole, but I attached a bug to her coat so I can hear her.

“Hey, Aisling. Good to see you. Coffee?”Hollis asks. I pull away from the curb to park, knowing the conversation will continue to transmit.

“I just had some, but thank you,”Aisling says. “I know you wanted to talk about the dating app?”

“Yes!”They walk to the couches set up by the front window, and I watch like the creeper that I am.“I updated the software so no one can clone or alter it. What happened to you will never happen again.”

“I appreciate that just from the perspective of everyone else,”Aisling says. “I’m kind of stuck, but I’m glad to hear other people won’t get kidnapped.”

She feels stuck? Yeah, that doesn’t sit well with me. As I listen to them talk, I text the pack chat.

Me:

We need to do more to show Aisling that she’s important to us. I know we don’t really celebrate Valentine's Day, but should we plan something?

Aiden:

I was thinking about this yesterday when I saw that it was coming up.

Domh:

I’m in, but she won’t like anything in a busy restaurant.

Evan:

The lakes are beautiful right now, it’s just damn cold.

Me:

What about heaters in the bed of your truck with a mattress?

There arebubbles as the guys message back, and I tune back into Aisling and Hollis’ conversation.

“I was talking to anOmega’s Havenresident and they suggested a speed dating event,”Hollis says. “I’ve run a fewof them in the past. There will be security, background checks, and it will probably happen in August. What do you think?”