“Ah.Well, we’ll carefully plan how to introduce them to everything.But a dinner at my house will at least plant suspicions, and doing so plants a seed.A gradual introduction is easier for a human mind to accept.”
Ross snorted because that had certainly been true in his case.In retrospect, he had to wonder just how deliberate that had been.
“We’ll tell them gradually, in a way that will help them accept it without fearing their own sanity.A nice, calm dinner will be a good start to that.”
Ross blew out a low breath.“Yeah, okay.Okay, it’s as good a game plan as any.”
“I’m proud of you, my love.I know it’s never easy to tell a parent.”
Ross felt a little shy under that warm, proud smile.And incredibly happy, as well.“I shouldn’t have put it off.I guess I didn’t have the proper motivation before now of saying something.”
“Am I your motivation, then?”
“You’re fishing.You know damn well you are.”
Glenn preened, chest puffing out.“I’m still delighted to hear it.Are you relieved now that it’s all out?”
“Very relieved.And happy that she doesn’t seem to care.She’s more concerned that I’ll choose a good man to be with.Which, having met you, I think it’s not a worry anymore.She really got a good first impression of you.”
“I’m glad.I hadn’t expected or prepared for such a meeting.”
“You did great.”Ross would have said more on that vein, but the next turn Glenn took diverted him completely.“Wait, why are you taking a left?Home is that way.”
“I am buying you a new vehicle.”Glenn’s tone was adamant.
Ross squawked anyway.“Wait a minute, did Rocco say mine can’t be fixed?”
“He said it looked as if you’d thrown a rod through the engine, and by the time you bought a new engine and installed it, it would be financially wiser to just buy a new car.”
Shit.Ross feared it might be something like that.Still, that didn’t explain why Glenn suddenly found it his job to provide him a new vehicle.“If that’s the case, I’ll buy a new one.But you’re not buying a car for me.”
Glenn’s jaw set in that stubborn line he sometimes wore.
“That is not your agreeing face.Switch expressions right now.”Ross glared at him, a silent dare in his expression.
“You need a reliable vehicle.”
“And I’ll get one.But you’re not paying for it.Remember that talk we had about boundaries?”
“It is for the good of the clan that my PA has a reliable vehicle to use.”
“Oh, that was low.And while true, not the main reason you’re doing this.”Seriously, this man could be so unreasonably stubborn.
Glenn stopped at a red light and then abruptly turned, capturing his mouth in a firm kiss.Pulling back a bare inch, he locked eyes with Ross, those golden eyes both determined and warm.“I know well that you can’t comfortably afford it right now because of the demands of school tuition.How expensive that is for you.I know, too, that you’ll choose a cheaper car, something with minimal payments, and that’s asking for trouble.I beseech you, astór.Let me buy you something I know you will be safe in.That you need not worry about ever stranding you as your car did today.Something that will not financially be a burden to you, making you wear that strain from day to day.”
And how the hell did he argue with that?Ross knew very well it drove Glenn insane to see him driving his little Honda.That he’d wanted to replace it for months now.With the opportunity there, no way would he pass up on it.
His pride warred with his common sense.It would make more sense for Glenn to buy it, as he not only had the means to do so, but it would mean a vehicle Ross could put multiple clan members into.And stuff.Ross tended to buy a lot of stuff on behalf of the clan.Glenn had a good point about him needing something for the job’s sake.
Oh, hell.He could already feel himself losing ground on this argument.“Fine.I’ll act like this is my compensation for all the overtime I’ve worked, rolled in with a Christmas bonus.”
Glenn lit up, happy to get his way.He kissed Ross quick before leaning back in his own seat, ready to put the car back into drive.“Thank you.”
“But no sports car, alright?I want an SUV.”
“A perfectly sensible choice and exactly like you.What brand and model would you prefer?”
“Now that’s the question.”Ross pulled out his phone to look up stats on vehicles, as he hadn’t really a clue what would be the most gas efficient and reliable of the SUVs.Even as he did so, he felt himself smile a little.
