“I feel awful,” I blurt out, not knowing exactly how much they know or don’t. “I would love to?—”
“Don’t,” his mother quickly assures me. “You had nothing to do with my son’s inability to operate.”
“He must’ve been so excited,” Callie claims with a huge smile, seemingly thrilled that Bronte’s normal self didn’t function properly. “Or nervous. We’ve only met one of his girlfriends, and she was…something.”
Intrigue sparks inside my brain, and I find myself already leaning over the counter. “Really? What was her story?”
“Complete bitch.”
“Callie,” her mother immediately scolds, knocking her arm with her elbow. “Manners.”
“She was,” his sister extolls with a lift of her shoulders. “Girl thought she was the best thing next to microwave mac and cheese.”
“She was educated.”
“Really? Because I didn’t know they taught how to be a royal cunt in college. I must’ve missed that class.”
I cover my mouth with my hand, stifling a laugh, while Eleni elbows herdaughter again.
“Obviously,bothmy children are suffering from a breakdown because both of you have lost your damn minds lately.”
Callie steals a glance at me, clearly not sorry for what she said, and I’m very curious to learn more about this so-called girlfriend.
I’m just gathering intel like I’m going to be able to use it against him in no capacity other than I know.
I’m not going to ride him about his dating life.
However, I’d love to knowhowhe managed to bring a woman like that to meet his family.
“I’ve noticed how you haven’t denied it, mother,” Callie taunts with a smile. “You knew she wasn’t right for him and you know it.”
“Who?” Bronte’s voice drifts through the kitchen, causing me to glance over and find him striding in my direction.
“Sophia.”
Bronte actually slows for a fraction of a second, causing one of my brows to raise because well, well, well.
Busted.
Bronte sends an unamused look in his sister’s direction as he comes to my side. “A little too early to be airing out my dirty laundry. Let me be married for a year first so Meirna’s stuck with me.”
“She’s not stuck with you when you’ve hit the year mark,” his mother lightly chides. “She can leave your sorry butt whenever she likes. Especially if youplansomething and don’t invite anyone she loves to?—”
“Mama,” he drones, and rightfully so. His mother has truly been on his case about our secret wedding, as he stated before, and she hasn’t let off the gas. I don’t hate it. Because I’ve gotten a front row seat. “I’ve apologized a million times.”
“Fifteen,” his mother corrects. “And you’ll do it until I feel like it’s been enough.”
“So eternity,” Callie quips, dropping a bagful of chocolate chips in her batter. “Enjoy.”
Bronte grumbles something inaudible under his breath before his arm comes around my waist. “I have a surprise for you, Daydream.”
Glancing back up at him, he’s void of any bothersome thoughts when it comes to his mother’s chiding and solely focused on me. “What is it?”
“Why don’t you come look and see?”
Sliding off my stool, Eleni and Callie are already smirking like they’re in on it, and I highly doubt they’d spoil it for Bronte if I ask.
So, I allow Bronte to guide me out of the kitchen, underneath the garland and white Christmas lights over the doorway, and into the foyer.
