Chapter 24
They slept for the rest of the evening and through the night. He woke before she did, then just watched her sleep. She looked peaceful; the dark circles under her eyes from the previous day were gone. He kissed her jaw and waited to see if she would stir.
“Luna, it’s morning.”
Her eyes popped open. “I forgot where we were for a second.”
“My parents’ house.”
“Right.” She closed her eyes again and snuggled against him. “I want to stay right here with you.”
“We could do that. For a little while,” he amended.
“But we should speak to your parents.”
“If you truly want to begin our life together, I think we need to, yeah.”
Luna sighed. “There’s nothing I want more than to begin my life with you on the right foot, and nothing I want less than to face your disapproving mother.”
“I’ll be right there with you.” He skimmed a hand over her hip. “Then we can either stay here or go home.”
“I vote for going home to our place.”
“I like that idea.” Davis kissed her cheek.
“Okay, let’s get up and get dressed. The sooner we do it, the sooner it’ll be over.”
Davis sat up. “Look, I know she was awful to you, but I believe all she wants is to see me happy. She went about it wrong, but she’ll understand that before we leave, I promise.”
“I hope you’re right.” Luna got out of bed and went into the bathroom.
Davis stayed where he was for a minute, contemplating what his mother had done. She had to realize she was in the wrong. She wasn’t entirely unreasonable, just territorial. Luna had proven herself over the years, and surely his mother knew that.
Luna emerged from the bathroom and headed to her suitcase in the corner of the room. Davis traded with her so they could both get ready for the day.
When they were dressed, he took her down the back staircase, knowing his mother and father rarely used them. His mother planned their meals in her study with Evelyn, and his father just didn’t bother with any of it.
They found Evelyn alone in the kitchen. “Nice to see you two up and about.”
“Good morning, Evelyn.” Davis kissed her cheek and led Luna to the table to sit down.
“I’ve got coffee and tea, scrambled eggs and bacon.”
“Coffee sounds great, thank you,” Luna said.
“And I know what Davis wants, so I’ll get that for you two.”
“Does all of this ever feel surreal, or are you just used to it?”
Davis studied Luna’s face before he answered. “Evelyn has been with my family since I was tiny. Tabitha was hired when I was about ten. I didn’t grow up in this particular house, so it’s a little different.”
“So the answer is that you’re comfortable like this.”
“I only have Sorensen at home. I’ve grown accustomed to making my own food or eating out. I don’t have a housekeeper, but I do have a maid service once every other week. Any of this a deal breaker?”
Luna accepted the cup of coffee Evelyn handed her with quiet gratitude. “Nothing is a deal breaker, Davis. Just wondering what I need to expect.”
Davis leaned back when Evelyn brought plates of fluffy eggs and crisp bacon. “If you want them all gone, I’ll do it. You know I would do any damn thing you asked of me. Sorensen would easily fit in here.”
