“What do you say?” James asked.
“I say it happened generations ago and it’s silly letting the past interfere with what Laura and I have.”
“I hope things work out between you,” James said.
“But?” Dallas asked.
James shrugged and cast an apologetic glance at Laura before he answered. “Laura’s mother won’t approve, and the rest of the family will take their cue from her.”
“We know,” Laura said. “But honestly, it’s time things were done differently in our family. Mother doesn’t have the right to direct my life.”
“So you’re with Dallas to punish your mother,” Steven said.
“No. I would never drag Dallas into my personal battles. Our meeting was a fluke, and things went from there. Dallas is the man I always wished I’d meet.” Laura’s voice was firm and decisive. “If it comes to a confrontation, I’ll be the one facing my mother and the rest of my family. Not Dallas.”
“And if they give you an ultimatum? Withdraw their support?” Steven asked, his face intent on Laura.
Dallas wanted to protest the personal questions, except he’d like to know the answers. And he received the impression Steven was subtly asking the same questions of James. Dallas pretended a casual ease he didn’t feel.
“There lies the sticky point. My parents still give me an allowance. They pay for the apartment where I live. I’ve started working for a temp agency, and I’m searching for a full time job. I’m trying to save money and live entirely on my earnings. When I decided I wanted more independence, I made a budget, and I’m managing to stick to my self-imposed allowance.”
“That’s very forward-thinking of you.”
“I might be young, but I’m not stupid. I know my parents. They’ll make threats. I wanted to prepare myself.”
Pride swelled in Dallas, and he smiled at her. “I didn’t realize.”
“There’s no reason you should,” Laura said. “Millions of people live on a restricted income and budget. If they can do it, so can I. It’s no point talking the talk if I don’t walk the walk.” She winked at him when James groaned.
Across the room, Steven chuckled. “I was prepared to hate you, but instead you’ve charmed the socks off me. If James needs a female date for a function, and Dallas is agreeable, then I’m onside too. What do you think, Dallas?”
“I’ll need details of each event, and Laura will have to pay a forfeit.” Judging by Laura’s widening eyes, his expression had morphed into big, bad wolf.
“Dallas.” Delicate color crept into her cheeks. She wriggled as if she were feeling the prickles of a good spanking. He wanted to laugh, to tell her this was the start and there were lots of other devious ways to exact sensual punishment.
“Forfeit?” Steven asked.
James’s gaze went from Dallas to Laura and back. “Oh,” he said. “Did you know Steven plays rugby for the local fifteen? He’s good.”
“What sort of forfeit?” Steven repeated, his gaze filling with speculation. “Are you talking about sex?”
“Yes, he’s talking about sex,” James said.
“Oh, maybe Dallas and I should have a chat,” Steven said.
Laura chuckled, and the humor spread, setting the tone for the rest of the visit. When they said their goodbyes and walked out to his vehicle, Dallas wrapped his arm around Laura’s waist and whistled a few bars of a chart-topping hit.
This was how it felt after acing a test.
