living covenant 03 - eternal covenant Read Free

two women out, I figured that was a losing battle. “It’s so good to see you both … together.”
    “Of course we’re together,” Helen said, pushing Aric away so she could close the distance between us. “Zoe! It’s so good to see you.” She threw her arms around me with a greeting as if it had been years instead of weeks since she’d last seen me.
    I like Helen. I really do. I’m just not big on people telling me what to do and invading my personal space. Helen is keen on both.
    “It’s good to see you, too,” I said, patting Helen’s back and darting a “help me” look in Aric’s direction. He smirked in response and remained rooted to his spot. “How was your drive?”
    “It was fine,” Helen said, releasing me so she could move into the living room. Aric designed our cabin in the woods himself. It’s really more of a mansion cabin – that’s a thing! – than a cabin. “The house looks beautiful.”
    Aric shot me a triumphant look as his mother bypassed the empty wine bottle and cracker package, and moved to study the new painting on the wall.
    As I opened my mouth to apologize for the mess in the living room, my mother took me by surprise, smothering me with her own hug. Since I’d seen her the day before, I could only assume she wasn’t one-upped by Helen.
    “I can’t breathe, Mom.”
    “You’re fine,” Mom said, turning away from me and following Helen into the living room. “Why is this house such a mess?”
    I shot a dark look in Aric’s direction. “I told you.”
    “That’s your mother, not mine,” Aric countered.
    “It’s not a competition.”
    “If it was, I would totally win,” Aric said.
    “What are you two whispering about over there?” Mom asked, her gaze pointed when it landed on us.
    “We were just talking about how happy we are to see you,” Aric responded smoothly.
    Mom looked dubious. I didn’t blame her.
    “We were talking about the mess,” I said, sticking out my tongue in Aric’s direction when I was sure neither mother was looking. “Aric was supposed to clean it up before we went to bed last night, but I guess he forgot.”
    “Thanks,” Aric muttered, shaking his head. “I see how this is. When the mothers come to visit, you sacrifice me to save yourself. I won’t forget this.”
    “Are your hands broken, Zoe?” Mom asked. “Is there a reason you couldn’t clean up?”
    “Yes.”
    Mom lifted her eyebrows. “Really? What’s that reason?”
    “Aric insisted that I needed sleep,” I lied, taking a step away from Aric when he reached for me. “He didn’t want me to have big circles under my eyes. I’m so excited for the wedding I haven’t been sleeping. Aric insisted on cleaning up so I could get some much-needed rest … and then he forgot.”
    “Aric Winters!” Helen’s hands landed on her hips. “This poor girl is about to have the biggest day of her life. How could you forget to clean up your mess?”
    Aric opened his mouth but no sound came out.
    “It’s not his fault,” I offered, flashing a smirk that only Aric could see before pasting an earnest expression on my face for the benefit of our mothers. “He’s exhausted, too. He’s so excited to get married that he actually cried last night.”
    “That did it.” Aric grabbed me around the waist, causing me to laugh as he swung me around. “That might’ve actually worked until you took it one step too far. Why must you always take it one step too far?”
    “I think it’s in my genes.”
    “I think you’re right,” Aric said, laughing heartily as he gave me a hot kiss. The kiss probably would’ve lasted longer if our mothers didn’t clear their throats in unison. Aric graced them with a sheepish smile when he finally pulled his mouth from mine. “I don’t care what either of you say. It’s my wedding week and I’ll kiss her if I want.”
    “Very cute,” Helen said dryly. “That doesn’t explain why you couldn’t clean up your mess. It would’ve taken