“Destiny darling, you look so much better now that you’re out of those drab clothes.” As far as compliments went, that was pretty high for her mom.
“Thank you.”
Her mother eyed her critically, Destiny barely resisted the urge to fidget under her penetrating gaze. “But your complexion leaves something to be desired. You’re so pale it’s almost blinding.” Then her face lite up. “Once I get my yacht in Cabo you can come visit. The sun is wonderful there.” She looked down at her own tanned skin in awe.
Destiny was thankfully saved from responding to that comment when there was a knock at the door. Mike, once again, her savior. “I’ll get it,” Destiny practically shouted and raced for the door. Well, as fast as she could wearing heels. She didn’t wear them often so her balance felt off.
She opened it and almost forgot to breathe. Mike was wearing a pale blue short-sleeved button-up shirt making his eyes glow and accentuating his biceps.
“Mike, you look…uncomfortable but great,” she quickly amended when she realized how rude she sounded. Her mother may not have a filter, but she did.
His arms looked to be straining against the restrictive cotton. Threatening to snap at the seams. It was like watching a live and in-person version of the Hulk transforming and tearing through his clothes.
She had never seen Mike in anything except jeans and a t-shirt. At least he was still wearing jeans. She was sure there weren’t many places that made slacks in his size without being custom made.
“I wanted to make a good impression.” She didn’t think a dress shirt was going to change her mother’s opinion about him, but she wasn’t about to say that.
“Like I said, you look great, but to be honest, I much prefer you in jeans and a t-shirt.” He looked more natural that way. But seeming him dressed up made her wonder what he looked like in his dress blues. The thought made her knees weak at the visual.
“I do, too.” He finally cracked a smile as his gaze roamed over her.
“And I must say you look—”
“Ridiculous.”
“—beautiful.”
“Oh, thank you.” She blushed under his compliment. “I don’t wear dresses much,” she added needlessly then cleared her throat. “Please come in.”
“Thanks.” But neither moved, staring at each other in the doorway. A strong under current of emotion passing through them as they stared at each other as if they couldn’t get enough gazing at the other.
Mike seemed to recover first. “Oh, I almost forgot. I brought this for dinner.” He held up a bottle of red wine. “I hope it’s okay.”
“It’s great. Grandma loves wine.” Destiny smiled taking it from him. “I’ll put it in the wine fridge to chill.” She finally stepped back and allowed Mike to come in. “Everyone is already in the living room.”
“I didn’t realize I was late,” he said with a frown checking his watch.
“You’re not,” she assured him. “Mom and Ron showed up this afternoon right after we got back. I think they’ve been waiting in the parking lot since Grandma kicked them out of her hospital room. They knocked on the door before I could get Grandma in her chair.” And since had talked nonstop about Cabo and needing money. Destiny was already so tired of hearing about Cabo she could scream. She was ready to just give her the money so she’d stop talking about it already. Her only escape from the conversation had been when Grandma dragged her out of the room to change.
One night. She could survive this. She could only hope Mom stayed civil with Mike.
Grandma will give her the money and she will go away again. This is just one night.
“You can go in unless you want to wait until I get back.” She didn’t know what Mom would say when Destiny was out of earshot, but she didn’t want Mike to feel like he had to follow her around either.
“I don’t mind helping you. Is there anything I can do with dinner?”
Mike, Mr. Gentleman
“Everything is already done. Dinner is in the oven and should be out in a few minutes so we can eat at six o’clock on the dot,” she said heading into the kitchen to put the wine in the fridge. It wouldn’t be perfectly chilled by dinner but cool. They could always serve it with dessert and use a different wine for dinner.
“Wow, precise,” he said looking impressed.
“Grandma likes her life run like a well-oiled machine. It’s how she’s always been so successful.”
“Speaking of successful, your grandma owns her own company?”
He didn’t sound judgy, only curious.
