see. It wasn’t that I was ashamed of anything I was doing here, but I hadn’t quite followed my lie through to its natural conclusion: I might not only have to lie to the caseworker and Stewie and Gil Hammersmith about who Diesel and I were to each other, I might have to lie to my aunt and uncle too.
The baby fussed more loudly, not used to me ignoring her ever, so I gave in and took her from Diesel. Without hesitation, she cuddled into my neck, just as she had the night before, and I sighed because she was the most important person in the room, and I needed to remember that.
“Mr. Partridge,” Diesel began. “How about some coffee and some cake Parrish made yesterday?”
“I’d love some,” Beau said genially. But after Diesel left the room, he narrowed his gaze on me. “As I was saying, maybe Malachi and Brooks weren’t so crazy. In particular, I heard about a kissing incident at the Pickin’ the other day?”
“It was a tradition,” I whispered helplessly.
Beau’s eyes twinkled. “A new tradition you created, according to Brooks,” Beau said. “He said you were real convincing, son. I believe his exact words were ‘Why don’t you have Parrish on your marketing team, Beau? That boy could sell water to a drowning man and make him say thank you.’”
I laughed slightly, but my cheeks burned and, weirdly, my eyes filled up.
Only because I was tired, obviously.
I turned to put the baby in her exercise dish so Beau wouldn’t see. “Wow. That’s quite a compliment coming from him.”
“Parrish,” Beau said seriously. “What’s going on here?”
“Well, Diesel and I…” I faltered. I couldn’t lie to this man, so after a quick look at the doorway to make sure Diesel couldn’t hear, I told the truth. “I fell for Diesel the minute I saw him. It was just—” I snapped my fingers. “There’s just something about him, Uncle Beau. You’ll see it if you get to know him.” I smiled, just a little. “He’s not just good-looking, he’s smart and funny and so kind. He’s good to me.” I cleared my throat. “Anyway, a little while after that”—as in, minutes—“I learned that Diesel’s sister had passed away and left him her daughter to raise, but the baby’s grandparents are contesting it. So Diesel’s fighting for custody.”
Beau’s eyes widened in concern. “Oh, no. Oh, Parrish, not again—”
“No, no! I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not like with Payne,” I said in a low voice. “Really! Diesel hasn’t asked me to do anything.” Except marry him. I hurried on. “I mean, Diesel won’t let me spend a dime on him, except for the rocking chairs out on the porch.” I couldn’t help but smile down at Marigold. “And some chicken pacifiers for this princess. And I can see now that when I was with Payne, he wanted me to be home taking care of the boys like a glorified babysitter while he went out and spent my money. Diesel’s… different.”
Unlike Payne, Diesel had never lied to me or led me to believe we were more than we were. He genuinely liked me, I knew he did. And he wanted me too, at least for right now. The engagement was a lie, but not everything was. I believed that. I did.
Diesel came in carrying a tray of coffee in mismatched mugs, looking nearly as nervous as he’d been when Terry was here. “I realized too late, I don’t really have decent mugs,” he apologized. “My aunts like to buy me these for Christmas and birthday presents, but I’m not totally sure they’re appropriate.”
I looked down at the mug Diesel handed me, which had a picture of two chickens that looked an awful lot like Brenda and Henry, and read “I’m Just A Guy Who Loves Peckers.” Meanwhile, Beau looked down at his and burst out laughing.
“Rise and shine, Mother Clucker?” he wheezed, turning a concerning shade of red. “Oh my God.”
He laughed so hard, even Marigold got excited and started laughing, which only made Beau laugh harder.
When he finally subsided with a sigh, he turned to Diesel and looked much more friendly. “So, Diesel, Parrish was starting to tell me about your custody troubles.”
Diesel cut a look at me, and I gave him a reassuring smile. “Yes, sir,” he replied.
“And you and Parrish are tackling them… together?”
“We are.” I nodded firmly. “We’re together.”
“We’re engaged,” Diesel blurted.
Shit.
“Engaged?” Beau goggled. “Parrish? And you haven’t told us?”