Page 85 of Mensa's Match

“Yes, Mensa,” I said.

It was the last thing either of us said, but we communicated so much more with our actions.

Chapter 22

Not Officially

Mensa

Mensa trudged out toWhitney’s kitchen, the smell of sausage permeating the air. Thus far, they’d had a lazy weekend. Whitney had wanted to focus on unpacking boxes on Friday night and Saturday, but Mensa convinced her to go to the movies with him, then spend Saturday bingingThe Brothers Sunon Netflix.

Whitney put a plate on the breakfast bar for him. “Eggs, sausage, and home fries. I went with over-easy on your eggs, and cooked yours first because I’m having mine scrambled and I didn’t want the milk to cause you problems.”

He dragged a hand down his face. “Yeah, over-easy works for me. But seriously woman, you don’t have to knock yourself out to cook for me.”

She wore pajama shorts and a skimpy tank-top. The way she cocked her hip to the side, he wasn’t sure what made it sexier: the pajamas or her attitude. “I wanted to cook for you. I figure Sunday morning breakfast is one of the easiest things I can make for you.”

He tipped his head back with a groan, then focused on her. “That reminds me, we’re supposed to have dinner tonight at my parents’ house.”

Her eyes went wide.

“You don’t need to freak out, Whit. Hell, I’m pretty sure Riley and Finn will be there. In fact, I’ll make sure they are.”

She gave three short nods. “Yeah, that’ll help.”

“Woman. I’m serious. Don’t freak out. It’s just my parents, two of our friends, and Jonah.”

She leaned forward. “Exactly! It’s yourparents!”

He narrowed an eye at her. “You were in Riley’s wedding party. Didn’t you meet them then?”

Her mouth dropped open, but she didn’t speak for a long moment. Finally she got it together. “That isn’t the same thingat all, Mensa.”

Two slices of toast popped up, and he pointed at the toaster. “Get your toast and eat with me, Whitney.”

After a short stare down, she grabbed her plate, put her toast on it, and joined him.

“You ever meet Jonah?” he asked.

She hesitated. “He was at the wedding, but I didn’t really meet him. Not officially.”

“But you’ve met him unofficially?” he asked, unable to resist fucking with her.

She turned to him and gave him a look that said, ‘very funny.’ After she swallowed a sip of orange juice, she said, “No, but in addition to the wedding, I’ve seen plenty of photos and videos ofhim. Plus, the few times Riley would talk about him, it felt like I’d been introduced to him. That doesn’t make sense, I’m sure—”

He shook his head. “No, it makes perfect sense. Riley loves him, and with the shit that happened to them both, she was forced into being his caregiver. Whenever she talks to anyone about him, her love comes through to the point it’s almost like he’s at her side, so I get it.”

“What are you parents like?”

“Good humans,” he muttered.

She laughed.

He shot her a stern look. “I’m not joking, Blume. Seeing as you were part of an investigation into Mom’s brother, that’s the best way to answer your question. She’snothinglike my uncle.”

She grabbed his forearm. “To be fair, that’s clear becauseyou’renothing like your uncle either.”

He covered her hand with his. “You’re right. So, that tells you everything you need to know about them until dinner. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about. They’re gonna love you.”

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