Page 288 of Dark Love

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?

This weekend is all about being brave. But all that flew out the window when he walked up to the door. How do I explain all of this?

“Who is it?” Mom joins me at the door. “Maverick. It’s so lovely to see you again.”

Maverick?!? Mom just called Vex, Maverick?

“Maverick, this is my daughter Dahlia. The one I’ve told you so much about. She’s visiting us for the weekend. Dahlia, this is our new neighbor, Maverick Steele.” She waits for us to shake hands like civilized people.

“She’s almost as beautiful as you.”

Mom preens at the compliment.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Vex holds out a hand to me.

Take it. Don’t just stare at him. Ignore the fact that he’s smirking at you. “It’s nice to meet you too ‘Mr. Steele’.”

“Why don’t you get Maverick a drink while I put the finishing touches on dinner.”

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