Page 101 of Meant for Her

They’d each packed a small overnight bag for such an occasion. “How about we eat first?”

“You’re always hungry, bro.”

“And you aren’t?” Luke asked.

“Good point.”

Since they hadn’t decided what they would do tomorrow, Luke wanted to stay in town close to their father’s ranch. The town, while small, offered what looked like several good restaurants. Considering the late hour, they stopped at an all-night diner.

The place was mostly empty, which suited Luke fine. The waitress showed them to a booth.

“I think it’s time we ask Malia to mate with us,”Luke telepathed to Ryan.“Just having her on this trip made me realize what I’ve been missing much of my life.”

“Stability, love, and a caring person? Besides me, of course.”

“Of course.”

“Guys, I can tell when you’re talking to each other, you know.”

Luke was sitting across from her and Ryan. He reached across the table and clasped her hand. “I’ve apologized for being an ass, and I’m sure I’ll do it a few more times in my life, but you Malia Granger, have changed me. Your caring and love has made me realize that I’m not some loser like my parents thought I was.”

“I don’t think Mom thought that,” Ryan said.

“If she truly cared, she would have found a way to contact us. She’s had twenty years.”

Malia’s phone buzzed. “Sorry.” She pulled it out of her purse. “Oh. Mason texted me.”

“What did he say?” Ryan asked.

When she read the message, her face paled. “Oh, no.”

“What is it?” Luke asked.

She handed him the phone.Found the men’s mother. She was in a fatal car accident nineteen years ago. I double-checked the information. It’s correct. Sorry. Mason.

Luke tried to process it, but couldn’t for a moment. He handed the phone to Ryan.

“Mom’s dead? I can’t believe it.”

The pieces fell into place. “That’s why she never reached out to us—assuming she’d wanted to.”

Yes, that was an obvious statement, but it was still true. A large part of his anger stemmed from the fact that his dad drove his mother away—a mother he thought never wanted him. Now, Luke knew why.

As for his father, the man was just plain pathetic. Okay, that might be a bit harsh. His dad had an addiction problem, and he and Ryan probably hadn’t helped things, always asking for sports equipment or new clothes. It might not have been the best choice to leave home right after high school. Their dad could have used their emotional support. Luke’s only excuse was that he and Ryan were teenagers. Parents were supposed to help guide the children, not the other way around.

“Are you okay?” Malia asked.

He looked up and gave her at best a half smile. “I will be, but Ryan and I need to ask you something.”

She glanced between the two of them. “Sure. Anything.”

“I’d like to find a way to keep you in our lives. Permanently.”

Malia grinned. “I can think of a way. It’s called mating.”

Those were the magic words he’d been waiting to hear. Luke was sure his eyes flashed gold. He immediately closed this mouth to avoid his sharpened teeth from being seen by any outsider. As for the growth on his face? He hoped no one noticed. Thankfully, he was seated, so no one would see his erection.

“Does that mean you’ll move in with us?” Ryan asked.