Mated to the Rogue *DISCONTINUED*

T W E N T Y - T H R E E

I locked my car behind me, humming a nameless tune as I glanced both ways before jaywalking across the street to get directly to the front of the apartment building. I was in a surprisingly good mood, considering Claire looked worse and worse every time I saw her but still refused to talk to me, leaving me in the dark.

I wonder why, I thought sarcastically and knocked on the door. The door opened and the already present smile on my face widened as I made eye contact with the person standing in the doorway.

"Mike!" I said enthusiastically.

"Emilia!" he responded and pulled me into a hug.

I heard a playful scoff from behind Mike, and I grinned, my eyes meeting emerald green ones.

"You guys act like you haven't seen each other in years," my mate said teasingly. Then, looking at me, "Hey, Lia."

Mike stepped aside and allowed me into the house, eyes sparkling with mirth. "What, I'm not allowed to miss my favorite young lady?"

"And am I not allowed to miss my favorite old man?" I asked with faux concern and patted Mike's balding head.

"Sure," Liam said, looking like he was holding back an eye roll. "But you guys saw each other yesterday!"

"Oh yeah..." Mike mused and I let out a short laugh.

There was a moment of silence and then Liam was making his way towards the door.

"Well, it's been fun but," Liam grabbed his coat. "We'll be going now, Uncle. See you-"

"Wait a second! Where do you think you're going, young man?" Mike demanded.

"Uh...A date?"

"Where to?"

"The aquarium," I said, quirking my eyebrows excitedly.

"The aquarium?" he repeated, sounding aghast.

I frowned, but before I had a chance to defend the fish, Mike was turning to Liam. "That is not how you snag a lover, Liam!" he said as if scolding him.

"We're actually already-" he started before being interrupted by the alarmed old man.

Mike was shaking his head. "I know you can never be the lady-impressor I was but I expected more."

Liam threw his hands up with an I'm done expression on his face. "What do you suggest, then?"

"We should all go to the garage!"

I couldn't help but giggle quietly at the look of pure disbelief that was showing on Liam's expression. Somehow, he still managed to look cute.

"That's what you call a date?" Anyone could hear the incredulousness in his voice.

"Yeah, it's a win-win situation. You'll be with her and finally finish up with that gentlemen's car that could and should have been done days ago." Then, with a wink, he added, "Plus, I'll be there."

"Can't I just do the car tomorrow?" Liam asked imploringly.

"Sadly, no. He's coming in the morning to pick it up."

Liam did not look pleased. I laid a hand on his bicep.

"It's ok if you have to work. We can take a rain check." I didn't want to but I understood Liam needed to make a living for himself.

He shrugged remorsefully, opening his mouth to respond before he was interrupted by the other man.

"Nonsense! You're coming with us, of course."