Page 39 of Sapphire's Gem
“So you should,” I hissed.
“Your parents are already seated. I’ll take you to them. Please accept my apologies,” Talbot said in an ingratiating voice.
“Jesus, how do you cope with suck-ups like this?” I asked Wylde.
Talbot flushed but kept any further insults inside. Talbot led the way, and as we entered the restaurant, a low groan left Wylde.
“What is it?” I murmured.
“Buckle up, babe, I can only apologise.”
“Wylde, what the hell?” I demanded, suddenly feeling the need to run.
“My grandparents are here, and so is the bitch my parents want me to marry, with her family.”
“Oh.”
“We’ll leave now.” Wylde stopped walking and stared at me.
I made a decision and cupped his face. Wylde’s eyes showed his confusion but also his desire to protect me, and damn if that wasn’t hot.
“I’ll be the very best girlfriend you’ve ever had,” I murmured, and Wylde’s eyes lightened at the devilment I was sure shone in mine.
“The begging rule is off for lunch,” he muttered as he bent his head and brushed a light kiss over my lips.
“Just for lunch,” I agreed, intending to take full advantage of it. Wylde grinned and wrapped an arm around my waist.
As we approached the table, I checked over the people sitting there. It was clear who his parents were. He favoured his father but had his mother’s eyes. A heavily made-up young woman sat with a space next to her, clearly meant for Wylde. A couple sat near the girl with disapproval in their eyes.
Next to his parents was an older couple, disgust and anger pouring from them, with censure added to the mix. Opposite them was another older couple who were the total opposites of everyone else. The woman had sheer glee written across her face, and the man had a huge grin.
“Hayden, my boy!” he cried as he stood up. “Who is this delightful creature?”
“Hey, Pops,” Wylde said as he approached and let go of my hand to shoulder-clasp the older gentleman in a hug. “This is Sapphire.”
“My dear girl, you’ve no idea how relieved I am to see someone normal!” the man said. “Call me Pops!”
Someone snorted, but I chose to ignore them.
“Hello, Pops,” I said as Pops lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles.
“Gramma, control him,” Wylde teased, snatching my hand back. The woman Wylde called Gramma stood and wrapped me in a hug.
“Thank fuck you’re normal!” she whispered in my ear, and I laughed.
“That’s a matter of opinion,” I replied, and she pulled back, her eyes twinkling.
“Tom, shift along and sit with Megan while Sapphire and Hayden sit with us,” Gramma ordered.
Tom shifted along as the woman who’d been smiling at Wylde pouted and looked disgruntled at suddenly finding Pops next to her. Wylde held out my chair, and I sat as he shunted it forward.
“Are you going to introduce… your guest?” the woman who was Wylde’s mom asked.
“Sapphire, these are my parents, Jennifer and Malcolm Wylde, and my paternal grandparents, Marla and Harold Wylde. Pops and Gramma are my maternal grandparents, and this is Mr and Mrs Dickenson and their daughter, Megan. This is Sapphire, everyone,” Wylde said as he held my hand on the table.
His mother’s eyes shot to it, and a sneer flicked across her face. “Just Sapphire?”
“Well, I also answer to Prez, but you don’t know me well enough to call me that,” I replied, and Wylde squeezed my hand. Amusement crossed his face.
