A pang of sadness hits me and my eyes cut to Nicholas’s before deciding he doesn’t need to be privy to Alec’s situation. He clearly has a distaste for him and therefore, doesn’t deserve intimate details.
“Good,” I say, keeping it short. “Can I help with anything, Mom?”
“You’re okay. I just needed some more butter from the store and Nicholas was sweet enough to run out for me.”
On cue, he reaches between us, handing my mom a box of butter with a smile that would charm any woman right out of her pants. Certainly charmed me out of mine when he aimed it at me.
“It was no trouble,” he says simply.
My mom smiles at him lovingly in a way that has me resisting the urge to vomit. Give me a fucking break.
“Where is your girlfriend,Nicholas?” I ask.
“Nico,” he corrects flatly, his tone brokering no argument.
Tough luck for him, I’ve officially found out what pisses him off the most, so as a little sister would, I will forever use it to bug the living shit out of him.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Do you prefer, Nico? Carly always told us your name was Nicholas,” my mom says.
His harsh stare towards me melts away when he looks to my mom.
“I do. Nicholas just feels too formal for me.”
“Yeah, you are the picture of relaxation,” I scoff with a shake of my head.
My eyes find my dad’s who gives me a ‘what the hell was that for’ kind of look. I shrug my shoulder to him, looking anywhere else as my mom and Nicholas keep chatting.
“You didn’t answer my question, where is Carly?” I ask, cutting into the conversation.
“Why is it any of your business, Miss Nosey?” my mom tosses out. “She’s getting her nails done. Carly and Nico are going to stay with us through the week. Won’t that be nice?” she asks with a smile that says be polite.
I give my best fake smile as I nod my head and look to him.
“Why yes, what joyous news.”
My mom sighs, shaking her head as I move to the cabinet for plates.
“I’ll set the table,” I say as I gather up enough dishes for us all and head for the dining room. Not before I catch my mom’s words.
“Sorry about her. Carly and Cassi have never gotten along very well. I’m afraid you’re the enemy by association.”
“Something tells me I’ve earned that title by my own merit.”
Well, at least he’s telling the truth for once.
Chapter Nine
Nico
Carly strolls in at the very last moment and sits down into the seat beside me at the dinner table. Her freshly manicured nails are on display as she goes into detail over the emotional torture she endured on deciding what color to select. I can’t suppress a roll of my eyes. You’re a grown ass woman, no one at this table cares if you chose ballerina pink or light in love. It’s fucking pink.
Goddamn. I’m glad that most of my words these days stay inside my head because I have become quite the prick. I’d like to say it’s because she makes me this way, that’s not fair, though. Even if she is irritating as hell, that doesn’t mean she is the reason I’ve become…well, my father. She certainly isn’t helping the case, though.
Personally, I’ve never been a fan of meatloaf, but the instant I take my first bite, I regret all my prior notions.
“Mary, this has to be the best meatloaf I’ve ever had,” I say.
Her smile practically lights up the room as she brushes me off.
