Anna Banks Quote

Footsteps from the stairwell startle him out of the past. He turns around as Emma's mother takes the last step into the dining area, Emma right behind her.Mrs. McIntosh glides over and puts her arm around him. The smile on her face is genuine, but Emma's smile is more like a straight line. And she's blushing.Galen, it's very nice to meet you, she says, ushering him into the kitchen. Emma tells me you're taking her to the beach behind your house today. To swim?Yes, ma'am. Her transformation makes him wary.She smiles. Well, good luck with getting her in the water. Since I'm a little pressed for time, I can't follow you over there, so I just need to see your driver's license while Emma runs outside to get your plate number.Emma rolls her eyes as she shuffles through a drawer and pulls out a pen and paper. She slams the door behind her when she leaves, which shakes the dishes on the wall.Galen nods, pulls out his wallet, and hands over the fake license. Mrs. McIntosh studies it and rummages through her purse until she produces a pen-which she uses to write on her hand. Just need your license number in case we ever have any problems. But we’re not going to have any problems, are we, Galen? Because you’ll always have my daughter-my daughter-home on time, isn’t that right?He nods, then swallows. She holds out his license. When he accepts it, she grabs his wrist, pulling him close. She glances at the garage door and back to him. Tell me right now, Galen Forza. Are you or are you not dating my daughter?Great. She still doesn’t believe Emma. If she won’t believe them anyway, why keep trying to convince her? If she thinks they’re dating, the time he intends to spend with Emma will seem normal. But if they spend time together and tell her they’re dating, she’ll be nothing but suspicious. Possibly even spy on them-which is less than ideal.So, dating Emma is the only way to make sure she mates with Grom. Things just get better and better. Yes, he says. We’re definitely dating.She narrows her eyes. Why would she tell me you’re not?He shrugs. Maybe she’s ashamed of me.To his surprise, she chuckles. I seriously doubt that, Galen Forza. Her humor is short lived. She grabs a fistful of his T-shirt. Are you sleeping with her?Sleeping… Dating and mating are similar. But sleeping and mating are the same exact same. He shakes his head. No, ma’am.She raises a no-nonsense brow. Why not? What’s wrong with my daughter?That is unexpected. He suspects this woman can sense a lie like Toraf can track Rayna. All she’s looking for is honesty, but the real truth would just get him arrested. So he seasons his answer with the frankness she seems to crave. There’s nothing wrong with your daughter, Mrs. McIntosh. I said we’re not sleeping together. I didn’t say I didn’t want to.She inhales sharply and releases him. Clearing her throat, she smoothes out his wrinkled shirt with her hand, then pats his chest. Good answer, Galen. Good answer.Emma flings open the garage door and stops short. Mom, what are you doing?Mrs. McIntosh steps away and stalks to the counter. Galen and I were just chitchatting. What took you so long?Galen guesses her ability to sense a lie probably has something to do with her ability to tell one. Emma shoots him a quizzical look, but he returns a casual shrug. Her mother grabs a set of keys from a hook by the refrigerator and nudges her daughter out of the way, but not before snatching the paper out of her hand.