My mom's eyes glisten when she moves around the island to pull me into a hug, then my dad follows. I don’t remember asking for a fucking group hug, but I know I could do much much worse in the parent department. I return the hug then wiggle out of it.
“Let me go, lunatics.”
They laugh but pull away. “Son, we really just want you to be happy,” my dad reassures me.
“Ify’allwant me to be happy, make things right with my girl.”
Heaven
The spa day was everything I wanted and needed. I’d stretched time by accepting almost every damn service available. Then, I’d taken my sweet time shopping for a dress, shoes, and accessories for the big event. Axel’s reaction to the bill will help me find my spending range. I was never given free rein with a card.
I sneak in quietly, doing my best to ensure I can get upstairs to the master without running into Axel’s parents. Releasing a cleansing breath, I settle on the couch to relax. A few minutes of quiet time gave me the strength to contact Axel.
Heaven: I’m in your room extremely relaxed and smooth all over.
Axel: Yum. Get ready. We’re going out to dinner.
I’m smiling at the text until another one comes through.
Axel: With my parents.
Fuck.I guess I can’t avoid them forever.
Me: What time is the reservation?
Axel: First, I felt you roll your eyes. Second, I don’t need a reservation.
An hour later—because I took my sweet time—I meet Axel and his parents in the foyer. Axel takes in my black jumpsuit, strappy stilettos, and my freshly salon styled hair with a look that reminds me why he opted to allow me to get dressed alone.I’m glad he likes it. It’s all designer and on his dime.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers with a peck on my lips. His hand trails down my arm until it reaches the clutch attached to my wrist. “Valentino? You could have gone bigger than that.”
“I picked the bag by what I liked and not the price tag. This is reasonable,” I respond.
Axel cups my chin and traps me in his gaze. “I didn’t send you forreasonable.I’ll have to take you back tomorrow. You didn’t do it right.” He turns to escort me to the door.
“Um. I’ll have to check my schedule.”
He looks down at me. “Your schedule as in work? What woman picks work over shopping?”
I stretch to kiss his cheek. “A busy one.”
Maybe I’m hallucinating, but it sounds like Axel’s mom is giggling. His dad opens the door for me to walk out first. Okay, maybe I’ve blown past hallucinating to full-blown delusional. Paulo opens the door, and we climb inside the town car. His parents follow and sit facing us. I chance a glance to find them smiling at me. I shoot them a brief face twitch that I hope emulated a smirk, then cross my legs to lean into Axel to whisper in his ear.
“They’re smiling at me. Did you do something to them? Switch them for actors? Or maybe hypnotize them?”
Axel’s laugh fills the cab as he drops his head until our cheeks rub. His head obstructs my vision of his parents, but I’d have access to his ear and neck if I wanted to take advantage. I feel him lace his fingers in mine.
“No. I told you you could trust me.”
“They’re cute,” his mom says from the other side.
“Let me out before the car gets struck by lightning,” I state low enough for only Axel to hear.
After another peal of laughter, he leans back enough to drop his forehead on mine. “Why would Thor allow that to happen?”
“Speaking of Thor, I got you something.”
“I’m scared to find out.”
