Ron scowled at her, considering he worked in investment banking, which was similar.
“You’re on Wall Street, dear. That’s different,” she tried placating him. Ron still looked irritated but didn’t comment. “So, tell us…” By the widening of her eyes, he realized she didn’t know his name. Mike had never been introduced as more than the boyfriend. He hadn’t even noticed until now.
“Mike,” he filled in for her.
“Oh, let the poor boy enjoy his dinner, Patty, while it’s still hot. You can grill him later,” Carol scolded.
Patty slumped back in her seat. The look in her eyes told him she wasn’t done questioning him. Fine by him.
Mike had prepared for all sorts of probing questions about Destiny and himself. They had spent a lot of time together so he knew how to answer most questions. Apparently, he knew more about Destiny than her own mother. The thought pleased him as much as it saddened him. He knew firsthand what it was like to have a parent not interested in their child’s life. He rarely spoke to his. They were more focused on their new families than him.
Mike dug into his food, not wanting to dwell on the past. A burst of flavor hit his tongue and he knew Destiny had made it. She was an incredible cook. She cooked for the two of them several times. He was passible but always willing to hand the reins over when Destiny visited. “This is delicious.” Mike said loudly.
“Destiny is a phenomenal cook,” Carol agreed.
“I never cared for cooking. Such a mess,” Patty commented before taking a bite.
“You are a wonderful cook,” Mike leaned over and whispered in Destiny’s ear.
He caught the brightness in her cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Destiny, I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Let’s not talk about it now.”
He wanted to argue but decided against it. He didn’t want to cause a scene in front of her family. They could talk after dinner.
Chapter 9
Dinner dragged on at an excruciating rate. Conversation was scarce, the tension still high. Her mother stared at Mike like he was a bug that needed to be squished, Ron seemed to keep staring at all the furnishings in the room as if appraising them in his head. Grandma was even quiet though she did keep kicking her under the table and pointedly looking at Mike.
She knew she shouldn’t stay mad at him. It wasn’t his fault if the almost kiss didn’t mean anything. She didn’t want to lose him and yet she was the one giving him the silent treatment.
Destiny glanced over at him and frowned. Mike had seemed to shrink into himself as if trying to make himself as small as possible, which was impossible given his size. Her mother had been less than welcoming, which she knew would happen. Sadly, she had been so caught up in her own head she hadn’t defended him.
“Mike, will you help me bring in dessert?”
His body jolted as if he were somewhere far away. “Sure.”
She busied herself in the kitchen getting the pie out of the fridge. She needed to stay busy before she fidgeted or said something she might regret again. “I’m sorry for being rude earlier. I shouldn’t have gotten angry with you like that.”
“People get upset, I understand,” he said taking the pie from her and setting it on the counter.
“I don’t lose my temper often. I hope you don’t think less of me.”
“I would never.”
That was it? He wasn’t going to comment on the almost kiss. Apologize? Ask to pick up where they left off? Fine, he didn’t want to talk about it, neither would she. More proof Grandma was wrong about his feelings toward her. He regretted it and wanted to act like it never happened. Fine, she could at least appear nonchalant on the outside while she would think back on it the rest of her life. “Good, we should go back out before they send another search party for us.”
“Destiny, I want to talk to you about this whole fake dating thing.”
“I already told you, I’ll tell my mother the truth.”
“You said yourself she’s leaving soon. There’s really no point. The woman barely knows my name.”
With all the chaos after Grandma’s statement Destiny had forgotten to introduce him, so that was her fault. “I don’t like lying.” She wanted it to be true. To pretend Mike was hers when in reality he wasn’t. “But I won’t say anything unless she asks.” She knew her mother well enough to know she would prod about their relationship. She already disliked Mike and would go out of her way to prove how low he was in her view.
Destiny knew just how to keep the conversation off of them.
