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“I think they’re still at the airport, so twenty minutes or half an hour.”
“No problem. I’ll call out to the gate and make sure it happens. Need anything else from us?”
“No. I think we’re good.”
“All right. We’re here if you need anything.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know if we do.” Cypher disconnected the call and went to find Lauren. “Anything you need or want done before they get here?”
She turned and looked out the window that backed up to trees as she thought about it.
“Would you mind making breakfast for all of us? I know it’s a big ask. You were just going to cook for the two of us.”
“Sweetheart, it’s not a big deal. They like biscuits and gravy?”
She tilted her head as she thought about it.
“I don’t know. It’s not something I grew up eating and I don’t know if they’ve ever even tried it.”
“No problem. I’ll start with that, then make eggs to order once they’re here and I can see what they’d like.”
“Sounds perfect.” She stretched up and gave him a quick kiss. “I’m going to go change clothes before they get here.”
Cypher started to tell her she looked fine as she was, it was her home she could spend a weekend in her pajamas if she wanted, but she held up one hand.
“I know I could stay like this, but I will be more comfortable greeting them, and introducing them to you, if I’m wearing a bra.”
He blinked and had no argument for that.
“All right, sweetheart. You do what makes you feel good. I’ll get started in here. Let me know if you want me to meet them at the door, or if you’d rather greet them and bring them to me.”
Lauren’s eyes went wide, as if the choice hadn’t occurred to her.
“I’ll think about it while I change.” She hurried off into the bedroom. Cypher shook his head and went back to what he’d been getting ready to do when the phone rang.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Lauren took a deep breath and braced herself before opening the front door. She’d gotten a look in the mirror while changing clothes and remembered the bruising still covering a large portion of her face. There would be no hiding it from her parents, and she knew Dad would suspect Cypher had done it. She didn’t know how she would convince him to keep from trying to drag her out of there, but she’d do her best.
When she swung the door open, Mom and Dad stood on the wide porch, both looking unhappy. She saw the moment they both registered her bruises. Dad’s face went red, then purple.
“Oh, baby. What happened to you?” Mom asked, her eyes wide.
“Who did this to you?” Dad demanded.
“No one here,” Lauren said. “Come on in, I’ll take you to meet my partner. He’s making breakfast and needs to know how you want your eggs.” She closed the door behind her father then turned and headed for the kitchen, not waiting for them to follow.
“Hey, sweetheart, where are your folks?”
“Either behind me or still standing by the door. Dad wants to know who did my face and I didn’t want to bother defending you until after he met you.” She went to the fridge and pulled out the carton of orange juice and poured herself a glass.
She turned around and found her parents standing in the doorway where they’d followed her in.
“Mom, Dad, this is Cypher. Cypher, these are my parents, Thomas and Maureen Callahan.”
“Nice to meet you,” Cypher said. “I’d shake your hand, but I’m a little busy at the moment.” He kept one hand moving as he stirred the gravy she could tell was almost done by the consistency of what stuck to his whisk.
Dad’s eyes narrowed.
