Dad narrows his eyes. “Is that how you want to play it?” He waves a hand. “Fine, I’ll cast you in my next movie. A leading role! You can also select whoever you want for your love interest. If you can’t decide, I can cast somebody. Maybe two somebodies. And I’ll let you have sex with both of them.”
Aspen chokes. I grip the knife. Is Huxley & Webber good enough to get me off if I stab my dad right now?
“I’m not going to cheat on Grant!” she says.
“It’s not cheating if you do it on a set,” Dad says. “It’s art! With a director, lights, sound—”
“You want me to cheat on Grant—”
“Nah. Just film a sex scene or two.”
“—in front of everyone?”
“No, no, no. Just the crew. Grant can watch the scene, too. He’ll appreciate it because he knows I don’t make porn. Tell her, Grant.”
Aspen’s jaw slackens.
Before I can make a cutting remark, Aspen says, “I can’t invite you because we aren’t even engaged.”
“What?” Dad stares at her, then at me. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Me?” He tells her he wants her to make soft porn and then wants to know what’s wrong withme?
I haven’t had the courage to ask because she hasn’t told me she loved me yet. The ring I’ve been carrying in my pocket is calling me a pussy, but I don’t care. I’m not botching this move. It’s too important.
“Why don’t you have a wedding date yet? Are you too stupid to ask, ‘Will you marry me?’ I thought I raised you better!”
I’m going to kill him.
Aspen places a hand on my forearm, which is so tense it’s quivering. “Actually, Grant is maybe the smartest man I’ve ever met. And I hate to say this, but I think I have a stomachache.”
“What?” Dad shouts at the same time I say, “Are you okay? Why didn’t you say something?”
“It seemed like meeting your dad was more important. But we’ve done that now.” She turns to Dad. “I’m sorry. I think I have to go.” She stands. “Can we go together, Grant?”
Hallelujah!I jump to my feet. “Of course. Let me see if I can get someone to make a house call.”
We take our leave and don’t speak until we’re safely inside the car.
I reach over and hold her hand. “You aren’t really sick, right?”
“Nah.” She turns to me with a small smile. “I don’t look sick, right? I could never pull it off. My grandparents always knew when I tried that as a kid.”
“I had to be sure.” I kiss her hand.
“Let’s go home.”
Home. I love it that she considers the mansion her home. I maneuver the Maybach through the traffic. “Are you okay with the way the visit ended?”
“Yup. I got to meet him, so it’s all good.” She sighs. “I didn’t realize how badly it would go. I thought Amy and Sierra were exaggerating.”
“Not at all. And that’s him on hisbest behavior.”
She chokes a little. “Oh my God. I don’t… I can’t… Really?”
“Believe me, we got off easy.”
“Wow.” She lets out a long breath. “Wow.”
