Page 593 of Dark Love

“My clothes aren’t worth crying over.”

She smiles. “They are worth drooling over. We’ll go shopping this weekend.”

There’s no stopping Mom when shopping is involved. “Dad’s going to end up crying too after he sees the bill.”

“Yes, he will, but not because of the bill. I’m so proud of you, Dahlia.”

I blush. Such a small change made a profound difference.

Now all I need to do is be brave.

***

A simple sweater dress from the dream closet that Vex stocked for me is the perfect outfit for dinner. It’s warm enough for the fall weather, even if we have drinks outside, but still shows every one of my curves.

It’s only a little fail to have hidden in my bedroom until just before dinner.

Mom is in the kitchen and no one else is to be found anywhere.

“Where is everyone?”

“They’re still golfing, except for Maverick. He had to work in the city and couldn’t make it until dinnertime.”

“The food smells wonderful.”

“I made all your favorites.”

“The boys will be happy about that.” My brother is liable to complain non-stop.

“They can deal for one night.” She pulls the oven open, revealing breaded and stuffed pork chops.

“Those look good too.”

Mom shakes her head. “The idea of you eating meat still messes with my head. But don’t worry, I made you one too.”

The doorbell rings.

“Would you answer that? It’s got to be Maverick.”

Like I couldn’t have pulled the rolls out of the oven and put them in the breadbasket. “Of course.” Time to meet tall, dark, and handsome. And then disappoint my mother.

I swing the door open and freeze. “What are you doing here?”

Vex grins at me.

In a three-piece suit, he definitely would win sexy and lethal.

“I was invited.”

“By whom?” That was so rude. Why did I say that? The whole point of this is so that I can introduce Vex to my family. Not be rude and alienate him.

“Dahlia, is that Maverick or a salesperson?”

What do I say? No, Mom, it’s the man I’ve fallen in love with but haven’t told you a word about yet. That will go over so well.

Is it too late to run back to Urbium? Vex isn’t helping. He’s just standing there grinning at me.

What do I do?

---