Those experiences are branded on us from the inside. We’re different people now. Despite how familiar it is sitting here with my mom and dad, eating food like nothing’s changed… It has, and that can’t be helped.
“It was… hell,” I croak. They look miserable hearing that. “Butthere was a silver lining.” My eyes shift to Ren again, lipsquirking subtly. “A shimmering burst of chaotic color that came from that dungeon of despair.”
Taking Ren’s hand in mine, I kiss on his knuckles, running my lips over the ring on his finger.
“Is that… where you two met?” Mom asks, glistening delight replacing the pain in her eyes.
I nod. “Bet you never expected that, huh?” I peek at them. “Your genius son falling in love in prison…” I snort, and Ren chuckles.
“As long as you’re happy, we don’t give a crap where it happened.” My dad grins.
I blink at them. “So you’re not… even a little surprised? By me being…” The words trail off because they’re smirking at me, wide-eyed and leaning in, like they’re physicallyitchingfor me to finish the sentence. “Bisexual?”
Dad’s eyes shift to his wife. “You were right.”
Her grin widens. My forehead lines and they laugh.
“What?” I grumble.
“We had a bet going, before you were arrested,” he chuckles. “I thought you were gay, but your mom said bi. Or pan, apparently there’s a difference…”
My mom rolls her eyes at him while Ren cackles.
“Yes, there’s a difference, ogre,” she says pointedly. “Depending on who you ask. But yea, bi/pan. That was my guess.”
I’m frowning hard. “Well, I wish you would’ve shared it with me! Because I had no clue…”
“Oh, please,” my mother and Ren both scoff,in unison.
My dad nearly falls out of his chair. Mom holds out her hand in asee?Gesture.
“Whatis that supposed to mean?” I huff at my fiancé, though I can’t scowl away the amusement on my lips.
“You knew damn well who you were, Lex,” he murmurs with confidence. “And who you were… wasmine. From the moment we met, no matter how hard you fought it. You were always meant to be that. Mine mine all mine.”
I’m biting back the corniest of grins as my mom squeals.
“Possessive much?” I cackle.
“That is so sweet,” she swoons.
“Really??” I gasp. “It doesn’t sound worryingly obsessive? Aren’t you concerned that your only son is marrying a walking red flag??”
I’m playing offended, but clearly no one’s buying it.Since I’m intentionally engaged to the toxic nutbag in question.
“Nope. You two are perfect together,” my mom cheers. “I can already see it.”
I shake my head. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you’d seen us four years ago…”
“I guarantee I would be.” She smirks.
Ren does the same gesture with his hand that she just did.
Okay, why are my mom and my fiancé like besties?? This is nuts.
“Alright, shut up and eat your food, firestarter,” I grumble.
My parents are clearly intrigued by us. Our relationship, but mostly by Warren Xavier. The mysterious, strikingly beautiful—potentially psychotic—man who apparently swept their son off his feet in prison.
