Page 71 of Seduction in Spades

“Oh, sweetie. It’s so good to see you.” Nolan doesn’t let go of my hand as his mother wraps him in a hug. She releases him and smiles brightly at me. “Welcome... I’m Samantha.”

“Mom, this is my friend Avery.”

Friend?That introduction will pacify for now since it’s late at night. I’m sure Nolan will get the grilling later.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Avery.” Samantha raises her brow at Nolan. Clearly, he didn’t give his parents a heads-up that I’d be joining them. “Come on in.”

She turns to go inside, and I mouth angrily at Nolan.You didn’t tell her I was coming!He lifts a shoulder in reply and nudges me inside behind his mother. The living room is small and cozy. His father gets up from the recliner and gives Nolan a hug.

“Son. Good to see you.” He claps him on the back before noticing me. “And what a beautiful woman you’ve got with you.”

“Avery, this is my dad, Pete. He’s a notorious flirt. Feel free to put him in his place if he gets out of line.”

“Like father, like son.”

Pete winks at me. “I like you. Come with me into the kitchen. I’ll scoop you up a bowl of ice cream.”

“One scoop, Peter,” Samantha warns behind me.

“She only lets me have sweets on special occasions. I’ve been holding out for Katie’s party tomorrow, but Nolan bringing such a lovely lady home calls for a treat as well, don’t you think?”

I like Pete Jones immediately. “I’m a huge proponent of daily ice cream intake.”

I take a seat at the counter and watch as Nolan’s dad takes down two bowls and puts a scoop of chocolate in each. “Sprinkles?”

“Is there any other way?”

“You’re a keeper.” He smothers the ice cream with sprinkles and slides a bowl across the counter and sits next to me. “Tell me what it is you do, Avery.”

“I work for a private company in Boston doing medical research.”

“Beauty and brains. My boy knows how to pick ’em.”

“Dad.”

“Peter Jeremiah Jones. That’s more than one scoop, and you can hardly see the ice cream under the inch of sprinkles,” Samantha scolds.

“If you can hardly see the ice cream, how do you know there’s a lot in the bowl?”

“Dad has always had a sweet tooth. Mom’s been trying to get him to cut back since I was in high school.”

“I love a persistent woman.” Pete picks up Samantha’s hand and kisses her knuckles. “Makes me want to press her buttons even more.”

I can’t help the chuckle that escapes my lips.

“Please tell me my son has better sense than his father.”

“Oh, he knows exactly how to push my buttons.”

“Nolan Peter. I hope you don’t you don’t enjoy aggravating Avery as much as your father enjoys aggravating me.”

“If she’s anything like you, my angel, she pretends she doesn’t enjoy it.” Pete loops his arm around Samantha’s waist and drags her to his lap.

“Seriously, guys. Avery doesn’t need to witness your dysfunctional relationship four minutes after meeting you.” There’s love behind his scolding.

“I think your parents are adorable.” I dig into my ice cream and chuckle at Nolan’s annoyance.

“I’ll go get our suitcases and throw up in the bushes. Parents. Be good. Dad. Get your hands off Mom. You’re embarrassing.”

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