“Come inside. You can’t spend that much time doing yard work,” my mom insists. “Come in. I made punch.”
I set Pepper down, and Salinger takes my hand.
“Let me see the ring!” my sisters exclaim when we’re standing in the foyer.
“You couldn’t have gotten proposed to wearing something nicer, Mandy?” My mother is appalled.
“No one proposed.”
“He was on his knees,” Lauren argues.
I roll my eyes. “He’s overly dramatic.”
“You need to propose.” Gran grabs Salinger’s hand. “My granddaughter is too old to do this date-for-three-years nonsense. Go to Vegas.”
“For the love of god, do not elope.” My mother throws up her hands. “I will not have the first wedding in this family be an elopement.”
“If you really want to get in good with the fam,” Lauren tells Salinger, “go ahead and knock her up. Then she can beat Amy in the maternity ward.” Lauren leans over to me. “Learn from my mistakes,” she whispers in my ear. “Lock him down.”
I bat her away.
“I’m sending you a Pinterest board with ring ideas, Salinger. You’re welcome.” Lauren takes my phone to text Salinger.
“Lunch will be ready soon,” my mom trills. “I’m making BLTs and pasta salad.”
“Fix you a drink, Salinger?” my dad offers as we head into the sunken living room.
“Holy shit.” Salinger whistles.
“What? Oh geez, Mom, you couldn’t take that down?” I groan as Salinger regards his shrine.
“He’s my new son-in-law. We can talk about the holiday schedule for the future grandchildren over lunch, Sal.”
“We cannot stay for lunch,” I say. “I’m sure Salinger has to go to work.”
“Actually.” He smiles. “I worked all weekend and got control of a huge trust and a port contract. I was thinking of taking the afternoon off.”
50
SALINGER
“Ijust feel like I should shower and put on something nicer,” Mandy pants as I kiss her while carrying her into the bedroom. I kick off my shoes. She’s pulling at my tie.
“I’m going to get you all filthy, so don’t bother.” I throw my jacket onto a chair. “I want to see you covered in my cum.”
She shivers. She has a little smudge of dirt on her face.
“Besides, I think it’s hot that you’re excited about lawn care.” My teeth catch on my lip. “I want you to ride me like a lawnmower.”
“Oh my gosh.” She pushes away from me. “I’m taking a shower.”
“I want to eat you out after you’ve been doing yard work.” I follow her into the bathroom and wrap my arms around her. “You smell sofucking good.”
She turns on the water, slipping off her clothes. Holding out a hand, she tests the shower temperature.
“You were gardening in a thong?” I loop my finger in the lacy strap and pull the panties down.
She sticks her tongue out at me.
