Page 9 of My Date is a Polymorph (Blind Date Corporation #20)

T he hostess smiled and led them to the private room, where a cheer went up when they entered. The intimate gathering was about twenty people.

There were seats reserved for them at the head of the U-shaped table, and after they ran the gauntlet of hugs and well-wishes, they were seated, and Klauz entered the room, taking orders with a grin.

She glanced at Worro when she was assessed for her meal, and Klauz murmured, “He won’t fit on a plate, Keera, so what is your second choice?”

She blushed, and Worro grinned, keeping his arm around her and rubbing her shoulder.

She looked around at her friends and family, as well as familiar faces from Worro’s time on the team.

After they got their food, Keera was sitting and eating when Worro got a ping on his com. He checked it, and his face pulled into a scowl. She reached out and took his hand, watching his expression relax.

She whispered, “There’s been an arrest?”

He nodded. “As we suspected. She kept all the correspondence.”

“Ah. I see.”

“Heraina’s grandmother was also involved. You had no chance, Keera.”

“I had a chance. You found me. They didn’t count on that.” She smiled at him, and he hugged her tight for a moment.

The room went quiet, and it was a respectful quiet.

Wellin asked, “Is it over, Kiki?”

“It is over. All new starts all around.”

Her brother got up and ran to her, hugging her.

Keera blinked away tears as she remembered all the days and nights when she had found him holding her fingers as he coloured and waited for her to wake up.

Wellin had wanted her to get up and run around, and she had fought to live up to his requirements.

Wellin whispered, “You are going away to live?”

“I am going to live with Worro. I think if you ask, one of the rooms in his house can be your bedroom if you want to come stay over for a weekend. He has a wonderful workshop where he makes things as well, so he might teach you.”

Worro chuckled. “Volunteering me?”

“To be a big brother to an appreciative audience? Yes.”

Wellin whispered, “Will you make pie again?”

“Yes, I can make pie. Or cake or cookies or those little brownies with the chocolate on top.”

“Fudge?” He got excited. “We can make it this weekend.”

“Whoa, Wellin. I have to spend some time alone with Worro. We have a lot to discuss.”

Wellin wrinkled his nose. “You are talking about sex.”

Worro snorted a laugh.

“Yes. Yes, we are.”

He growled. “You used to do it all the time.”

“And it has been years. We are out of practice.” She smiled. “It will take a while to get it right.”

She felt Worro snickering next to her. She elbowed him, and he started laughing. Elbowing a heavy-hitter was never a good idea.

He rubbed her elbow and pressed his forehead to hers. “I promise to pay close attention and practice a lot.”

She put her hand over his mouth and rocked him backward. He laughed again as some of the people laughed.

She snorted, and Wellin grinned. “You are feeling better.”

“I am. I missed the big twit.”

She yelped as she was hauled onto his lap, and he sighed and relaxed as she leaned her head on his shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled at his indulgent expression. She smirked. “Sucker.”

“Sucker or not, you are mine, and tomorrow, we lock you down.” He sighed. “I don’t want you spending the night at home. I have no idea what she could have set in motion. I haven’t hidden our plans.”

“Oh. Shoot. Yeah, I am going to have to hide somewhere.” She thought about it. “I guess I could go feral and hide in the woods.”

He looked at her like she was nuts. “Or you could come to my place, and I will sleep in the workshop. I have a large comfy couch in there.”

Khasta snorted. “She can stay at my place. I have plenty of room, and I can make sure to get photos of the bride starting in the morning.”

Khassi nodded. “I can get her ready and get makeup on her before we put the layers on her. The prep will take most of the morning.”

Keera frowned. “It will?”

“It will.”

Her parents got up, and Wellin sighed. “We have to go now. I have school tomorrow, but Mom and Dad said they will get me for a half day so I can come to watch.”

Khassi smiled. “She is going to be very pretty. Like a princess.”

Wellin said, “Everyone says that about brides.”

“You will see tomorrow.” Khassi smiled. “I am very good at what I do.”

“Okay. Who are you?”

“Worro’s cousin. This is my sister Khasta. She’s also Worro’s cousin.”

Wellin nodded and bowed. “Pleased to meet you. I am Wellin. Keera’s brother.”

Keera smiled as he shook the ladies’ hands. Her mother came by and kissed her cheek, squeezing her hand before they left. Life with kids changed social patterns.

Hever smiled. “Child-friendly wedding. Dex already has roving nannies booked to keep track of everyone. That way, the parents can dance.”

Krix smiled. “And eat.”

“And the food will be great. There are a dozen buffet stations that all serve a variety of foods. The dessert tables are more intense.”

Khassi asked, “Where did you find them all, Dex?”

“I have been doing weddings in town for a few years. I remember everyone who has a useful skill set. There are going to be six pastry towers, cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, fantastical fruit. By splitting it with different specialists, the four hundred and fifty servings are a sure thing.”

Dex looked smug.

Keera grinned and leaned against Worro. They used to spend their days off like this, just in contact with one another.

The room dissolved in chatter, and Keera felt herself falling asleep.

Worro stroked her hair, and she dozed off.

She was surrounded by friends who had useful activations.

No one was getting to her here. She was so tired of worrying.

When she was a child, being alone with an infant sister had been far easier than being constantly on alert.

At least there had been time to laugh and play back then.

She was in a happy, warm cloud, and it took her back to when they had first started dating.

Worro was standing in front of her, and he smiled. “Keera, would you like to go out for dinner with me?”

“Dinner? Um, why?”

He grinned. “Because you have been shifting shape and sparring all day. You have to be hungry.”

“Oh. Uh. Yes?” She looked up at him and his silky red hair, the gentle smile on his lips, and the sparkle in his eyes.

“Good. What did you want for dinner?”

“Uh, I just usually go for a burger or something. I have a high protein drive.”

He nodded. “I know just the place. Are you ready?”

She had showered and dressed in her street clothes. He was wearing jeans and a tight tee. He looked strong and warm, and his expression was so soothing.

She nodded, and he took her hand, walking slowly with her. “It’s a date.”

The first date had been steak and pasta, with ice cream for dessert. They had stayed at the restaurant for three hours, talking and laughing. He had driven her home on his motorcycle, and she had smiled the whole way home.

Worro said softly, “What is that smile for?”

“Remembering the first time you asked me out.”

He ran his hands down her arms. “It was nice and casual so that it wouldn’t spook you.”

“You succeeded.”

“I knew I had found my person. Even thinking you were human, I knew you were mine. It takes a brave woman to eat spaghetti on a first date.”

She laughed softly. “You have seen me eat tacos. I am fearless.”

“You also did a weird stretchy thing with your jaw. It was hot but disturbing.”

Keera chortled. “Animals are the first thing I learned to copy.”

“Promise that if we have kids, you will do that on Mother’s Day.”

She sighed. “That would be funny. I hope it happens.”

“Me, too.”

She laughed and smiled, putting her hand on his chest. “One more day.”

“And then forever after that.” He checked the time. “Fourteen hours until we make this happen.”

Khasta smiled. “I will take her home. Don’t worry. She’ll be safe.”

Worro’s hands tightened on Keera, and then he sighed. “Right.”

Keera got up and felt cool, but she hugged her way through the guests before facing Worro again. “See you tomorrow?”

He hugged her. “See you tomorrow.”

Khassi snorted.

Cloud had Yahtana help her to her feet. “I am coming along to help.”

Keera blinked. “You are going to help?”

“Oh, yeah, I don’t have to be active, I just have to be near you. The baby daddy is skulking around. No one is getting near any building I am in.”

Khassi and Khasta nodded. “Right. Not a problem. We have room.”

Keera smiled. “Girls’ party.”

Khassi grinned. “Hever, you come, too. We will eat marshmallows and do Keera’s nails, and then next week, we will do it for you.”

Hever chuckled. “If you want super secure, we can have the sleepover at my mom’s place. I have asked, and the security services are ready to be attentive, and then we can all get some rest.”

Khassi smiled. “Sounds good. We can do measurements for your dress.”

Keera grinned. “I just want to curl up and get some rest.” She glanced at Worro, where he was talking to Krix. “I get the feeling I am gonna need it.”

There was laugher and giggling, and they left the restaurant as a mass. A huge van pulled up, and Cloud smiled. “I thought it would be nice to have room.”

Yahtana chuckled and helped her into one of the seats that didn’t involve crawling.

Keera was sitting up front next to her sisters, and the rest climbed in the back. In a few minutes, they were all buckled up and were on their way.

They arrived at Hever’s home twenty minutes later, and her mother was standing outside and grinning. Veradil watched the ladies tumble out of the van, and when she saw Cloud, she rushed forward to help her.

Cloud grinned. “Thank you, Ambassador, but I am good. Still have eleven weeks to go.”

“Oh.” She redirected her thoughts. “Need snacks?”

Cloud laughed. “I will take snacks.”

Veradil led their merry band into the house, and she said, “Snacks are on the way. The bedrooms are ready. High security has been activated.”