Page 290 of Dark Love

Though I’m not sure he will befor long.

“We’re divorced. She got the house and the kids, and I got my freedom.” Monty takes a long pull of his drink.

Dahlia moves towards me as I place my body between her and my new enemy.

“Now you and I can get together.”

“Not funny Monty. You’re talking about my sister.”

“Whatever. Your sister is hot, even if she dresses like a prude.”

If he calls her that one more time, I’m going to put my fist through his teeth.

“Dinner’s ready.” Dahlia’s dad walks into the room.

Monty and Basil file out quickly while Dahlia and I linger behind.

“Don’t kill him. Monty is just being Monty,” she whispers. “He’s had a hard life and went through a bad divorce.”

“There’s no excuse to touch a woman without her permission.”

Dahlia leans up and whispers in my ear, “I love you.”

There isn’t time for me to respond the way I want to.

“Maverick, you can sit right there next to Dahlia.”

Good. There’s no way I could stand seeing her sit next to Monty. I pull out the chair for her to sit down, and it takes all my self-control not to brush her hair off her shoulder. This is going to be a long meal.

“I was so excited that Dahlia came home that I couldn’t stop myself from making her favorite meal.”

Monty and Basil sneer at the plate.

“Do we really need to eat rabbit food?” Basil glares at his sister.

Rabbit food?

“Don’t worry, I made the rest of you something to eat, but Dahlia loves vegetable curry.”

What? “Did you just say Dahlia’s favorite food is vegetable curry?”

“Why do you ask?” Eugenia gives me a pointed look.

Because as far as I know, your daughter’s only two food groups are sugar and chocolate. “Because it’s one of my favorite foods.” And I need to find out why your daughter didn’t mention her love of vegetables.

“Say you aren’t a vegetarian like Prue. A guy your size can’t live without protein.”

Even Monty’s voice irritates me. He needs to stop talking to or about my woman. “Vegetables provide protein.” This is going to be a long meal.

***

“Buy in is a dollar” Dahlia’s dad puts a new deck of cards down on a poker table.

“I say we up the stakes.” Monty sits down across from me. “In honor of our guest.”

“You know, we never play for more than a dollar in my house.” Dahlia’s mom sits down in the dealer’s spot. She opens the box and shuffles like a professional.

“I’ll be right back.” Dahlia stands up.

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