Page 88 of My Pleasure

Meryn’s eye twitched again.

Kiera smiled quickly. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Chloe leaned in and planted a kiss on Pip’s cheek. “Thank you! For your help, I’ll send you this season’s hottest clothing line.” She wiggled her fingers. “Toodles.”

Meryn’s mouth dropped open as the woman walked away. She immediately used her sleeve and began wiping Pip’s cheek. “How utter dare she!”

Pip was blushing. “Why does clothing have seasons? Does that mean summer wear?”

“She means it’s popular right now.”

“Oh,” he said, smiling at Meryn’s indignation.

Hunter rubbed the back of his neck. “I feel like if we go back and say Pip handled it, we’ll be seen as unneeded.”

Chuckles erupted around the room.

“Who was it that said the unit warriors were out of control?”

The question had guffaws spreading throughout the tavern.

Rory put on a woeful expression and pointed to Pip. “Maybe they’re outsourcing?” he kidded.

“You can’t believe rumors at all. The Councilwoman and the Unit Commander worked together just fine,” one woman said from the bar.

Rory jumped on that. “Exactly. Even with his mate being insulted, you all saw how Hunter kept his cool.”

“I know bear-shifters young man. I bet he was two seconds from throwing him through the window,” an older witch joked.

Hunter gasped and held his chest. “At least three seconds.”

Everyone laughed at Hunter’s fake indignation.

“Aiden, I need sanitizer for Pip’s cheek!” Meryn said, still looking mad.

“Unit Commander are you going to let her dote on that young man in front of you?” someone asked.

Aiden spread his hands and shrugged. “I have no say in this. He’s her brother.”

Meryn put her hands on her hips. “Pip is my Pip. Better let your friends know. I’ll throw hands if I have to!”

Everyone was fighting smiles but nodded respectfully.

Aiden looked down at his mate. “You can’t throw anything, you’re about to give birth.”

“I will if I hafta!”

“Don’t worry li’l one. We’ll watch after your Pip for you,” one of the women promised. “He’s too adorable to let anything happen to him.”

Pip was smiling the whole time Meryn defended him. “I am Meryn’s Pip.”

“Okay, you guys. Let’s head back for dinner,” Rory said, still sounding warm and friendly.

“Fuck yeah. Caiden’s cooking tacos!” Meryn said, bopping around in a little dance.

“Don’t be late, he might get his apron in a twist,” someone teased.

“Gods above, I had forgotten about that. Didn’t little Amelia give that to him?”