“When he was still working at the gas station, I came across him there.”Glenn oriented himself to face the table at large, seemingly unbothered by this opening gambit.“I was struck by his competence, first.I saw many a difficult and challenging customer come through, and yet he handled them all with superb skill and calmness.It’s not something easy to do, and it drew my attention.I’d been on the lookout for a PA for some time, and when I saw him in action, I felt sure he had the skills I needed.It took me a few tries to recruit him, though.”
In retrospect, it was funny.Ross shook his head at the memory, mouth curled up in amusement.“You came off as really shady.Obviously, I hesitated.”
Glenn’s eyes crinkled up at the corners.“Is that why?”
“You know damn well it was.”
Glenn accepted this with a shrug before picking the story back up.“I found him attractive from the beginning, but my focus was more on hiring a good PA.I was drowning in work, I needed the help.It wasn’t until he started working and we spent so much more time together that I realized the attraction was not only still there but growing.My affection and admiration for him grew daily.I wasn’t sure if putting forth a courtship was wise, though, because he was an employee.I was relieved when he asked me.”
Both of his family members looked at him in surprise and Ross shrugged.“Only reason I hesitated was because he’s my boss.But in the end, I decided I’d regret it more if we didn’t at least try dating.I gambled.”
Glenn’s eyes and words were like a warm caress over Ross.“And do you feel like you have a winning hand, astór?”
Ross grinned back, a little helplessly, because he was melting under that look.“So far.I hope that continues.”
“As do I.”Glenn winked at him, looking insufferably smug with that answer.Then he turned to Imani.“In that vein, we really should get to know each other better.Don’t you agree?”
“Oh yes.”Imani was firm on that.“Ross said you’ve got a lot to do before Christmas, but what about after?”
“We Irish like to observe Boxing Day, you know.Why don’t you come over to my house then?We can have a lovely dinner together.”
Imani looked victorious, a woman who had achieved her goal.“That sounds perfect.”
“Levonn, do join us as well.”Glenn gave him a smile.
Levonn shot Ross a questioning look.
Ross encouraged him with a nod, as he really wanted his brother there to help temper their mother if she got too excited.Which she typically did after a glass of wine.
“Sure, I’d love to.”
There was just one hitch in this get-along.Ross didn’t think hosting it at Glenn’s house a good idea.Because nosy clan members.“Glenn, the house might be a bit of a mess after Christmas day.Maybe a different location would be better—”
Glenn waved this away.“Nonsense.I promise, even without you, I can manage to get the house clean after the party.”
That wasnot—argh.
Well, crap.How did he maneuver around this yawning abyss of a pitfall?
They managed to end the dinner on a good note, everyone hugged bye with plans to reunite on Christmas Day, and Ross slid into the Aston Martin’s passenger seat.Glenn started up the engine, still all smiles.
“Your mother and brother are lovely,” Glenn said as he backed out.“And you truly take after your mother.”
“Yeah, everyone says that after meeting us both.But Glenn, I wastryingnot to have her on clan property.My mother’s observant, she’s going to put the pieces together.”
“Should she not?”
Ross blinked at his profile, dumbfounded.“I thought the clan and the supernatural world was a secret?”
“By and large, yes, but didn’t we bring you into it readily enough?We don’t mind people knowing about us.It’s those who will bring us harm, they are the ones not allowed to know.”
Well, now, there was perspective.Ross had been readily pulled in, especially when he proved he had no nefarious motivations.Huh.Why hadn’t he realized that before?
He spoke slowly, thinking aloud, “So because you think my mom and Levonn won’t do anything to you guys, you have no issue telling them, too.”
“Precisely.And won’t it be easier on you if you can be truthful with them about this matter as well?”
“Yeah.Yeah, it really would.And it’s not like I don’t think about telling them, I have.I just wasn’t sure how to tell them without sounding like I’d boarded the crazy train.”
