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“I’m just relieved there’s a solution.”
We continued to walk hand in hand, enjoying the peaceful setting.
Eventually, we drove back toward the coffee shop. We kept the conversation light since we were both still coming down from the rush of adrenaline of the heavy morning.
Ty parked next to my car and turned to face me.
I stared at the coffee shop, wondering if any of the men were still inside. And if they were, would they smell me and come after me?
Ty cupped my face. “Don’t worry, Liza. Just go straight to the drugstore drive-thru and pick up your prescription.”
I placed my hands over his. “Thank you for being so understanding. I’m still embarrassed about the whole thing.”
“Don’t be.” Ty gently kissed me on the forehead. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
I took a moment, allowing myself to be reassured by Ty. The warmth of his hands on my face and his soothing words brought me peace.
We said our goodbyes and I got into my own car. I needed to make one stop before I went to the pharmacy.
My parents had been steadfast in their support ever since I hit puberty and had to deal with the reaction of males when I was in heat. They’d gone out of their way to assure me that it wasn’t my fault and had taken me to the doctor more times than I could count to adjust the dosage of my medicine or get answers to questions. Sometimes, they took me to the doctor just so he could console me and tell me that I wouldn’t be suffering forever. I wanted them to know what had happened at the coffee shop, and I needed their encouragement.
They were both home, which I’d figured would be the case. Mom always cooked a big Sunday lunch, and with my brothers in town, I figured they’d show up to eat eventually. I was relieved to see only my parents’ cars in the driveway. I sure as hell didn’t want to discuss my pheromones in front of my brothers. Not that they hadn’t heard it all before. In a house with two nosy boys and a mother with a voice that could bend steel, there weren’t a lot of secrets.
Mom pulled the door open and smiled at me. “Hello, my beautiful daughter. We weren’t expecting you. Are you joining us for lunch?”
“Maybe.” I stepped inside. “I was hoping to talk with you and Dad before the guys get here.”
Mom’s smile faded. “Sure, honey. Let me get your dad.”
She disappeared into the back of the house and returned a moment later, my dad following solemnly behind her. She’d clearly told him something was wrong.
They sat on the couch across from me, both staring at me expectantly.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t look so worried. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”
Mom let out a puff of air. “You seem upset.”
Dad furrowed his brows. “What happened?”
I took a deep breath, then proceeded to tell them what had transpired at the coffee shop that morning. They listened intently, their expressions turning from concern to disbelief, then finally to anger as they heard about the effect my pheromones had had on every single man in the building.
“I don’t understand.” Mom scooted to the edge of the couch, wringing the dish towel that was usually slung over her shoulder. “Is your medication no longer working? What did the doctor say? Do you need me to come with you to an appointment?”
She was always available to help me. It had been like that for as long as I could remember. And maybe I should’ve asked about the adoption, but perhaps I didn’t need to know. This was my family. Not the ones who didn’t take care of me and who had abandoned me.
“Mom, I’m fine.” I smiled at her. “Need I remind you that I’m thirty years old? I don’t think I’ll require a chaperone to the doctor’s office.”
Mom nodded. She understood because she always understood. “Have you actually talked to Dr. Reynolds about this?”
“Yes, I emailed him. He’s calling in a stronger dosage of pills. He’s out of town, but I’m seeing him on Friday.”
Dad cleared his throat. “Liza, you need to make sure Dr. Reynolds knows about your new… er, mating situation.” Mating situation. This was my father trying to be delicate. Trying not to say something he probably didn’t want to think about. I couldn’t imagine how a father felt about this kind of thing—especially my father.
Dad blushed and averted his gaze. This wasn’t exactly a conversation he wanted to be involved in, but he worried about me just as much as Mom. Maybe more. He just wasn’t as vocal about it.
“I’ll make sure he knows.” I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything, but hopefully it would relieve their worries.
I studied their faces. They were anxious, which only put me on edge even more. I didn’t know the kind of research my mother had done when this problem first arose. Maybe she didn’t think the new medication would work, and what if she was right? I didn’t know how I would be able to bear it if more symptoms popped up out of the blue. Other side effects.
