Best Friends (New Species #15)(96)

“Texting my parents. They want to know how Mel’s wedding was. You can read what I’m saying.” She suddenly stiffened and turned her head to peer up at him. “Sorry. I forgot. I’ll read it aloud. My mom says, ‘How was the wedding? You never said who Mel was marrying. Please tell me it wasn’t her Deputy Dud.’ I typed back, ‘It was great. No Deputy Dud. I’ll tell you about it when you’re in town or when we talk. I’m really busy so I can’t call right now, but I hope you and Dad are having a blast. Love you.’”

He couldn’t verify if she was telling him the truth but he hoped she was. “Thank you. Who is Deputy Dud and why didn’t you tell them about Snow? Do they hate Species?”

“They don’t hate New Species. Deputy Dud was a guy Mel dated for a short time when she first moved here. He works for Sheriff Cooper, obviously. He’s our police official in town. I didn’t tell them about Snow because it happened too fast. They might have been worried. Not because he’s New Species. It’s just that typically, people date and get married after a longer time. My parents love Mel. They’d be worried if they found out she married Snow within days of them getting together. I figure I’ll lie when they get back by saying she’d been seeing him for months but it had to be kept top secret.”

“Why lie?”

She chewed on her bottom lip, and then sighed. “It will make them feel better if they think Mel and Snow were a couple for a longer time than the truth, before making a lifelong commitment.”

“What will you tell them about us?”

She swallowed hard, seeming to think. “That I’ve been seeing you for a while, too. Maybe that we met while Mel was dating Snow. Lash, I could teach you how to read. I mean, if you ever want to learn.”

He might consider it if it were important to Mary. He liked that she offered. “You’re a good mate…but you changed the subject.”

She smiled and tapped her screen a few times. “I know. Okay. Be very quiet. I’m going to record a new outgoing message.”

“What’s that?”

She paused. “Listen.” She tapped her screen and seconds later, her voice came out of it. “Hi. You’ve reached Mary. You know the drill. I’ll get back to you when I can.” A beep followed. She tapped the screen again. “That was my old message. Now I’m going to record a new one.” She lifted a finger to her lips. “Hi. You’ve reached Mary. I’m spending time with a friend for a few days and cell reception is a crapshoot. I’ll get back to you when I can. You know the drill.” She stopped talking and tapped a button on the screen. “There.” She faced him. “All done.”

He was surprised when she offered him the phone. He took it. “I still don’t understand why you plan to lie to your parents.”

“I know, but it will make them worry less. Shit! I need to call my boss and Mel.” She held out her hand again.

He returned her phone. “What do you plan to say?”

“My boss knows Mel married Snow.” She touched her screen. “Don’t say anything.”

A ringing started, and he realized she’d made it possible for him to hear the conversation.

A gruff male voice answered. “I’m glad you called. We have two girls who are showing up at seven in the morning for interviews. Don’t be late.”

Her nose crinkled. “Shit, Joel. I’m about to not make your day. I’m hung up with Mel for a bit.”

“What in the hell does that mean? You have shifts to cover. I’d also like you to pick who you want to work with, since you can be a pain in my ass over Tina. For all I know, I could hire someone else who’s fucked a boyfriend of yours. I don’t need that bullshit again.”

Lash frowned.

Mary winced and held his gaze, mouthing I’ll explain later. She sucked in a sharp breath. “Just hire them both and change Megan’s shifts to mine. Leave Tina where she is so each of them can train a new waitress. I’m not sure when I can come back. I’ll be fine working with anyone but Tina. I’m sorry to dump this on you right now, but I have no idea when I’ll be done here.”

“Goddamn it, Mary. Don’t do this shit to me. It was bad enough having Mel walk without notice.”

“I’m sorry, Joel. Really. It can’t be helped. Mel needs me here. It’s a big adjustment and all that. I’m her best friend.”

“And you’re my goddamn waitress, and you’d better be here at seven in the morning. Tell Mel to suck it up. She’s the one who decided to get married. Have her husband hold her damn hand. I’m running a business. Your ass better be here at seven, Mary.”

“Don’t curse at my mate or give her orders,” Lash snarled. He wanted to hunt the human down and punch the son of a bitch.

“Shit, gotta go. Sorry, Joel. Split up Tina and Megan like I said. I have my own mess to deal with.” She tapped the screen and slapped the phone against his chest. “What part of ‘don’t say anything’ did you not understand?”

“I don’t like him.”

“He’s pissed. I don’t blame him.”

“No one speaks to you that way.”

“No. You just snarl at me and bark out commands.”

“I don’t bark.”