Page 112 of Down & Dirty

“More press, more problems?” I teased, trying to shake his sour mood. He was used to this, so I wasn’t sure why it was bothering him now.

He spun the rings on my finger, toying with the stone on the engagement ring. “If they upset you, then yeah.”

When he looked back up me, I felt my heart in my throat. Since the fight with Ronnie, Cory had been even more careful with me. He’d apologized for the position he’d put me in with my family, offering to go to my parents straight from the junket to try and fix things. Fitting in a quick trip to see them before heading to Maine for the holiday wasn’t ideal, but he hadn’t hesitated. Every day he made me feel more precious, leaving no doubt that I was more than just a means to an end.

“I don’t love the photographers, but they don’t upset me, either. I’m okay.”

He laced his fingers with mine. “You’re sure?”

“One hundred percent.” If being with Cory meant having my photo taken sometimes, it was a price I was more than willing to pay. And it was something he was literally paying me for, even if things between us had changed. “Now, are you sure you’re ready to meet my parents,” I paused for dramatic effect. “As myhusband?”

I was still getting used to that word, but my adjustment was made easier every time I saw the effect it had on him. His eyes would sparkle sweetly before filling with a demanding heat that made my chest tight every time I saw it.

“Definitely not,” he laughed, brushing his lips across my knuckles again. “But hopefully they’ll give me a chance to show them I’m not as bad for you as they think.”

Cory hadn’t been on the line when I’d called to tell them, somehow managing to beat Ronnie to the punch. But he’d overheard my portion of the conversation, and could tell it hadn’t gone well. My mother was devastated she hadn’t been there, whereas my father was convinced there was areasonI’d moved so fast. It took several minutes before I could assure him that I wasn’t pregnant. I didn’t take offense to his assumption. He had never once made me feel bad about what had happened with Tommy, he just didn’t understand why anyone would have gotten married after such a short time. What was the rush?

I still refused to tell them about the new arrangement with Tommy, and I’d never admit to marrying Cory for money. So it was on us to convince them we’d done it because we had been justthatgone for each other that we needed it to be official. Which wasn’t that hard of a sell anymore, considering the way he kept looking at me, and how hard it was for us to keep our hands to ourselves. I believed we were up to the task.

The flight was short and as I’d hoped, we streamed through the airport in Sacramento without any fanfare. When we arrived at my parents’ place, they were waiting for us on the front porch. My father descended the stairs, grabbing me in a tight hug before he held his hand out to Cory.

“Welcome,” he said, one arm still wrapped protectively around my shoulders.

Cory took his hand in a firm shake, holding my father’s gaze. “Thank you for having me.”

When Cory tried to sling both of our duffels over his shoulder and grab my luggage, my father stopped him. “I admire the effort, but let me help.” Slipping the strap of my duffel from Cory’s shoulder, he heaved it onto his own. He smirked down at me, “I can tell this one is Skylar’s by the bricks she likes to cart around.”

I rolled my eyes at him, even as I appreciated his attempt to deflate some of the tension. My mother was still standing on the steps, her face pinned in a forced smile, while she eyed me warily.

“Glad you could make it,” she sighed, giving me a tepid hug. She wasn’t taking this well at all. “We saw Ronnie on the interview panel,” she said when she pulled back. “Was it your idea for him to wear the suit?”

Cory chuckled behind me, and I gave him a look over my shoulder. “No. He cooked that one up on his own. When I prepped him, he was in the same team gear as the rest of them.”

She shrugged, a look of confusion on her face. “He looked nice, but will he get in trouble for that?”

“No,” Cory offered, coming up to stand beside me, stroking his hand down my back comfortingly. “He’s allowed to wear whatever he wants for those. The team actually likes it when we look polished, so it might work in his favor to get some fresh attention, separate him from the pack of guys in the same position in the rankings.”

“You did that more than once, didn’t you?” my father asked, jerking his head to usher us toward the door as he swung it open.

“I did—” Cory started, getting cut off when my parent’s dog, Gordon, charged through the open door right at him.

“Gordon, no!” my mother yelled, but the massive shepherd mix ignored her as he jumped right up on Cory, his paws landing on his chest, nearly sending them both falling back down the stairs.

“Hey bud,” Cory said, half-laughing, half-startled, dropping my other bag to steady himself. Gordon sniffed his face, giving his chin a quick lick.

My father laughed. “Gordon welcomes you too.”

“Get down,” I shooshed him back onto all four feet and into the house, looking back at Cory as he followed me in. He was still smiling.

Once inside, my mother approached Cory as he set everything by the foot of the stairs. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” Her words were kind, but she was looking at him with a degree of skepticism that was anything but.

Cory was unfazed. “I’m sorry it’s taken so long, Mrs. Stone, and...” he glanced briefly at my father, before looking back at her. “I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances.” He held out his hand for me, and I slipped mine into it, moving eagerly into the spot at his side. The one I fit into every time, like he’d saved it just for me. “I know it’ll take a lot more than a few words to prove it to you, but I want only the best for Skylar. I’d never do anything to hurt her.”

Her smile finally warmed and her posture relaxed on a sigh. “We’re happy you’re here.”

Cory was right. It was going to take more than that to win them over. But it was a start.

“I’ve got snacks in the living room, but why don’t you get settled in and then we can eat?”

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