“It’s my job,” she laughed. “A job I happen to love.”
I suppose she was right. It just felt weird to have someone I felt was my new friend wait on me.
Greer moved to the fridge and pulled out the pitcher of lemonade. “Grab a couple of glasses,” she called to me. She threw me a wink, and I knew Greer got me.
Bristol set dinner on the island family style while Greer and I got drinks for everyone.
“Where are you going?” Marco called to Bristol when she wiped her hands on a dish towel and moved toward the staff quarters.
“Just holler when you guys are ready for dessert,” she smiled.
“You stay and eat with us, and you’ll know when we’re ready for dessert,” Marco shrugged.
Well, I did not expect that.
Neither did Bristol. She tried to talk her way out of staying for dinner, but Marco didn’t listen to any of it.
“You’re fired if you don’t sit down and have dinner with us.” He reached for a plate and set it in front of him.
Murphy laughed, and Greer rolled her eyes. “I’ve never heard a more inviting dinner invitation before.”
Marco shrugged.
Bristol sighed heavily. “Well, I guess I’m eating dinner with you guys.”
I grabbed a plate and filled it to the brim. Not because I was starving, but because I was delaying having to sit in the only open chair that was next to Marco.
“Have a seat,” Greer laughed. “I remember when I was nine months pregnant with Beau. Any chance I got, I sat. Didn’t matter where I was.”
Apollo chuckled. “She’s not joking either. I remember when we were out for dinner, and there was a wait for the ladies room. Greer grabbed an empty chair from one of the tables and shuffled it along in the line.”
I grabbed my plate and bit the bullet. I sat down next to Marco and pasted a smile on my face.
“Okay?” he asked softly.
“No,” I whispered.
He reared back, shocked.
Maybe I was channeling my inner Sophia a little too much. “I’m kidding.”
Marco shook his head. “Whatever you say, Royal.”
I managed to eat half of my dinner before feeling like I was going to pop.
“Are you done?” Marco asked.
I nodded and leaned back in my chair. The cheese I had shoveled into my mouth was sitting like a lead balloon in the pit of my stomach. “I’m pretty sure if I eat another bite, you’re going to have to roll me back to my room.”
Marco reached for my plate and set it in front of him. “Then I’ll just finish this.” He grabbed his fork and ate my half-finished plate of food like he did it every night.
Greer laughed, and I looked up to see she was looking at Marco and me. “Apollo always finishes my plate for me, too. You should see how upset he gets when I actually finish my plate. Some weird alpha thing.”
“It’s…different,” I drawled.
Bristol made a skillet brownie for dessert and pulled out the ice cream to top each piece with a scoop.
I groaned and held up my hands. “I can’t eat another bite. I’m now wondering if I’m going to have a food baby on top of having a human baby.”