Page 27 of Never Till Now

Chapter 9

Adam

“Please ask her, Uncle Adam.” Giant brown saucers plead for the umpteenth time today.

“She has a busy work schedule, Mallory.”

“It’s my birthday. I want a princess to come to the cabin with us,” she huffs and paces the floor. “One, you haven’t even asked yet, and second, this day is not about you.” She stops in the center of the room and places her hands on her hips. “Dare I ask Martin to pull up her contact information?”

How the hell she knows Martin is our guy for background checks and clearing employees beats me. The child is six, going on thirty-six with how she handles business. Fucking family genetics run through and through.

“Okay,” I sigh. “I’ll give her a text.” She doesn’t seem convinced.

“I can take her number and deal with the arrangements.” God, she’s crafty.

“Fine. I’ll write her number down for you.” I send out a warning text before handing over Lauren’s number.

Me: Warning, your pint size biggest fan will be contacting you sometime.

Cherries: You’re too well endowed to call your Deep-V Diver pint size.

“What’s so funny?” Mallory leans over my phone as I actually laugh out loud.

“Nothing. When are you calling Lauren?”

“Once you or mom lend me your phone.” I glance at the time; Lauren should be getting off work any minute.

Me: I’m glad you enjoy him. ;) Mallory has been nagging for the past two hours to contact you. I said you’re busy for a few days, but she’s adamant to ask a question.

Cherries: I can swing by if you’re home. Just waiting for a cab.

“She will stop by shortly.” I sigh, unsure of how I feel about Mallory’s request.

My heart picks up pace as I contemplate Lauren’s reaction to this family event. Our rules have been strict from the start, but we haven’t followed everything by the books. It’s not a huge deal considering we are both on the same page with how the other feels about relationships.

I sip my beer as Mallory and James pretend that they’re dogs barking around my living room. They stop at every furniture leg and pretend to sniff it before communicating in barks. I guess this animal version is better than when they pretended to be monkeys and James somehow ended up swinging on the table chandelier. I had literally left the room for a second to take a piss. No wonder my sister asked for a couple hours to herself tonight.

Mallory bolts to open the door as soon as there’s a knock with James trailing behind. Lauren is in her maroon scrubs that hug her body enough to make me consider sending myself to Emerge. Mallory wraps her hug as James copies. Lauren stands with open arms and an unsure expression.

Fuck, these kids are probably too much for her. Lauren glances at me, clearly surprised as if she doesn’t know what to do. Her smile is soft but her eyes hold exhaustion.

“Guys.” Both kids look back at me. “Let Lauren make her way in before you scare her back down the elevator.”

“Princess Lauren has her own voice to tell us what she would like,” Mallory sasses.

“Mallory Elenore.” I lower my voice an octave and she lets go of Lauren.

Lauren bites her smirk and follows the kids into the living room. “I heard you have been asking your uncle to talk to me.”

“I have, but we will get to that after. Why are you wearing dentist or doctor clothes?”

“I work in the hospital. In the emergency room.” Lauren takes off her tag and hands it to Mallory.

“So, you’re not a real princess?”

“She’s better than one,” I chime in. “Are you hungry, Laur?” The nickname rolls off my tongue, surprising us both. “We have leftover lasagna.”

“You have to try it.” Mallory runs to the fridge. “We made it from scratch.” She talks a mile a minute and that’s exhausting in itself.