“Probably something to do with Austin’s work. That’s usually the only time she trots me out now, since I’m pre-law. I stopped being the adorably polite kid that earned praise for her from her friends around age twelve, when I had a growth spurt and grew taller than her.”
“You’re kidding?”
I know what he means and I shake my head. “I wish I was.” I can’t bear the weight of his brown gaze, so I study my salad. “What’s it like?” I quietly ask.
“What’s what like, buddy?”
“Growing up in a normal family?”
His snort makes me look up. He’s smiling. “When I find out, I’ll tell you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I didn’t really have a choice about my life. It was expected that I’d enlist in the Army. I’m kind of the black sheep for not taking ROTC in high school and in college and then going in as an officer. Like they think I didn’t try as hard as they thought I should.”
“Yeah, but your parentsloveyou. They’d love you unconditionally, wouldn’t they?”
A cloud skitters through his features, gone almost before it appears. “I guess. Not very liberal people, though. I mean, not racist or homophobic, but not…progressive.”
“You didn’t have to earn their love, though.”
“True. So what does your mom do for a living?”
“You mean besides being a professional social climber? She’s a real estate agent.”
“Same thing, isn’t it?” He smirks, making me laugh.
“Tell me about it. Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, all the trappings and bullshit. Her and Austin both. Rubbing elbows with local politicians, but not enough juice for state or federal level pols to take an interest in them. Austin’s a junior partner, not a senior partner. He pulls in some respectable billable hours, but he’s no rock star moving much higher in the firm than he currently is, and Mom knows that. Even if he managed to snag a high-profile case, he’s about as photogenic as a pile of dog crap, and nearly as entertaining.”
“Sounds like a charmer,” Carter snarks.
A comfortable quiet settles between us for a few minutes.
“Do you think she’s going to try to play match-maker for you?” Carter asks. It’s an…odd question, I suppose, but then again, based on what I’ve told Carter about my mom, it’s not an unexpected one.
“Doubtful. She’d be afraid of me embarrassing her. Probably why she told me I could bring someone. She assumes I’d bring a girlfriend, if I’m seeing anyone.”
“Someone who she wants to decide if they’re suitable for you or not?”
“Exactly. Wouldn’t be the first time.” He snorts, making me look up. “What?”
He’s wearing an evil grin. “We can tell them I’m your boyfriend.”
For a moment, part of me is sorely tempted to do just that. I’d get disowned, which would both solve a lot of my problems, as well as create new ones.
Carter levels a steady gaze my way, one eyebrow arched. “You’re not saying nooo.”
“I’m…thinking.”
“So that’s a yes?”
Honestly? As appealing as it is, it’s not worth the long-term trouble for the short-term satisfaction.
“No,” I grumble. “As tempting as it is, though. If it was my final year and I had a job, I’d say sure, and enjoy the hell out of the fireworks.”
He’s wearing a playful smile. “You sure? We could go in there, you playing my dutiful pet, and I could really get some rumors buzzing with those people.”
I laugh so hard I choke on a sip of water and he has to whack me on the back. “Part of me would love to see the look of shock on her face when you kiss me right there in front of everyone.”
