Page 463 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11
My dad was already seated at the dinner table with my mom.
“Hey,” I said. “Is it okay if Axel comes for dinner?”
My dad looked up at me. “Pumpkin, he was just here for breakfast yesterday and we spent all day at his parents’ place yesterday. I think that’s enough Stevenses one week.”
“But he’s already on his way.”
“Why?”
“Dad, you gave us that project that’s due at the end of the week.”
My dad raised his eyebrows.
“We wanted to get it done as far in advance as possible.”
“So this is my fault somehow?” my dad asked.
What?
My mom laughed and turned to me. “That’s fine, sweetie. The two of you have been spending a lot of time together recently.” She gave me a knowing look.
But I had no idea what she thought she knew. “Just the same as always.”
“No, your mother is right,” my dad said. “It’s more than usual. How does Jacob feel about that?”
“He’s cool with it.”
The laundry machine chimed.
“Is someone doing laundry?” my mom asked. “I thought Ellen already left for the day.”
“Yeah, sorry, that’s me,” I said. “I’ll be right back.” I ran out of the room. I quickly put Jacob’s shirt in the dryer. But I wasn’t quick enough. Axel was already seated with my parents at the table when I came back out.
“So you’re working on the assignmentIgave you tonight?” my dad asked. “Even though it’s not due until Friday?”
I looked at Axel as I sat down next to him. He’d said he’d already done it. So...
“Yeah,” Axel said. “We wanted to get a head start. I don’t want Scarlett to be turning in anything late.”
“Good, good,” my dad said. “I know this project is a lot of work. I’m reconsidering if it should be a group project instead of just partners. What do you think? Maybe four people to a group?”
Seriously?“Dad, it’s a little late for that. Everyone’s already started.”
My dad sighed. “I guess.”
Liam walked into the dining room. He glanced at me and then Axel. “What’s up? Does Axel live here now?”
I shot him a dirty look.
Axel laughed. “Are you excited for your first homecoming game, Liam?”
“Yeah, we’re going to crush them.” Liam sat down in his usual seat.
“We definitely are,” Axel said as he scooted his chair a little closer to mine. And then he put his arm on the back of my chair.
He wasn’t touching me. But it seemed very intimate for a dinner with my family. When he wasn’t my boyfriend...
My dad lowered his eyebrows as he stared at Axel touching my chair.
