Best Friends (New Species #15)(56)

“I know. The New Species are sure I’m in too much danger going back to town because the reporters know my name and who I am. That’s why I had you meet me here. I didn’t think you’d willingly enter Reservation to see me. They have some strict security measures.”

Mary paled.

“It’s fine. That’s why we’re here.”

“Whose house is that? I swear I just saw someone move one of the curtains.”

Mel glanced to the left. No way was she about to admit there were New Species in that house—and in the woods around it—to protect them in case of trouble. “Brass thought this would be a safe place for us to meet. The house had been empty for a while and the owners agreed to sell it. The NSO bought it but the paperwork hasn’t been filed yet. It’s probably just a breeze from a broken window or something. Ignore all that and look at me instead. You’re safe, Mary. They know you’re afraid of them and will stay back.”

“They probably think I’m an idiot for that.” Mary stepped back, still shooting nervous glances around her.

“They don’t. It’s a phobia. Some people have them. Did Sheriff Cooper talk to you? Did he tell you we caught the jerk who broke into our places and how?”

That snapped her best friend out of her fear and gained her full attention. Anger flashed on her features. “Yes! What were you thinking? You’re nuts for doing that.”

“I wasn’t alone. I knew Snow and his friends would keep me safe. And they did.”

“Sheriff Cooper also told me you did it because you were worried about me, and that you’re the one who came up with the idea.” Tears filled Mary’s eyes. “I’m calling you a crazy hillbilly. You purposely returned to your apartment and lured that asshole into coming after you again! That was insane!”

Mel laughed, not offended at all. “We got him. That’s all that matters. Vermin problem dealt with.”

“You would say that. What’s going on now? Are you going to stay with Snow for a few days?”

“I’m marrying him.”

Mary’s eyes widened.

“I love him, Mary. I know you’re probably going to tell me it’s too fast and we should wait, but I don’t want to.” Mel put a hand on her chest. “Snow has my heart. I already signed mate papers before you came. I’m officially a New Species now.”

Mary’s mouth just hung open.

“You’re gonna catch bugs if you don’t seal your lips together,” Mel teased. “You’d hate to swallow a bee or something.”

Mary closed her mouth and swallowed hard. “Mel, this is so fast.”

“I know. But I’m one hundred percent sure.” She patted her chest. “In here. It’s right. He’s my one. I love him more than life. Please say you support me and have my back, Mary.”

Tears filled Mary’s eyes again but she gave a quick nod. “Always. I’m happy for you.”

“Good.” Mel dropped her hand and reached out, taking Mary’s. “That should make the next part easier—I need you to be my bridesmaid in a few days when we have a wedding. The NSO is holding it at Reservation, inside the hotel. They have a minister they use at Homeland that they’re flying in. I’m going to look at dresses online at a store near here. They are willing to ship them overnight to Reservation and to your apartment. I’d like your help picking out my wedding dress and you need a gown too. I just need your sizes once we decide what will work.”

Mary’s mouth dropped open again.

“I know what you’re going to say,” Mel rushed to say. “But I need you! You don’t want me getting married without you there, do you? We’re family. I’ll be all alone if you don’t come.”

“What about your parents?”

Mel felt a little pain over admitting it, and she lowered her voice. “I called Mama to tell her about Snow. She didn’t take it well. I didn’t expect her to, really. You know she wants me to marry Bobby Roy.”

“The old alcoholic neighbor.” Mary scowled.

“Yeah. Him. She ordered me to get my behind home and to stop taking drugs,” she whispered. “She figured I had be on them to say I was going to marry a New Species. Snow is still pretty upset. He has really good hearing, and Mama was yelling at me. She refused to come meet him and threatened to disown me if I was serious. Then she hung up on me when I tried to get her to at least talk to him and be reasonable.”

“Oh, Mel. I’m so damn sorry. Your mother is such a bitch.”

“That’s why we’re best friends.” Mel shrugged. “We’re hoping she’ll call Snow’s phone back once she calms down and has time to think about it. I gave her the time and date of when we’re getting married. The NSO offered to fly Mama and Papa here first class on a fancy airplane. Maybe that’ll tempt them into coming. They’ve never been on a plane before.”

Mary scowled again.

“I know. But don’t burst my bubble of hope. You’ll be at my wedding, won’t you? I need you, Mary.”

Dread flashed in her eyes. “Mel—”

“We both know my folks probably won’t come.” Mel wasn’t above using guilt. “There won’t be many New Species at the wedding. It’s going to be small. Snow promises to keep you safe, and I swear no one will try to bite you.”