Mark’s sentiments because she believed he could do no wrong and therefore was never wrong about anything. My only taste of the finer sex was limited to house party hook-ups while Mark and Mom were on their monthly trips.
Despite the fact that I’m almost twenty-three, I’ve still yet to bring a girl home to meet either of them.
I might be a cruel bastard.
But I’m not that fucking cruel.
“Going to head back,” I say, kissing my mom’s glass-like forehead. “Thanks for … this.”
I glance at my stepsisters who haven’t said more than two words this entire night and then to Mark, who’s shooting me a look that suggests I’m an asshole for leaving his celebration early.
But fuck that guy.
Making my way to the valet stand, I give the kid in the red jacket my ticket and read Irie’s email one more time while I wait for them to bring my car around, and when he pulls up, I tip him a twenty—partly because I’m in a fan-fucking-tastic mood and partly because Mark’s only going to tip the poor soul a couple of bucks when he fetches his Rolls Royce SUV an hour from now.
“Thanks, man,” the kid says as he hands me my keys.
I climb in my car, set the music for the two-hour drive ahead, and veer toward the freeway, cruising on gasoline and adrenaline.
This time tomorrow, I’m going on a date with Irie Davenport.
Chapter 15
Irie
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you curl your hair,” Brynn says from my bed as I stand in front of my dresser mirror, a long-barrel curling iron in hand.
“Is it too much?” I ask.
I still can’t believe I agreed to a date with Talon.
“Too much?” Brynn scoffs. “Honey, you’re going on a date with Talon freaking Gold. It might not be enough. Where’s the push up bra and the fuck-me heels?”
I shoot her a look from the mirror.
“I’m teasing. But seriously. Do you know how many girls would kill to be you right now?” she asks. “I mean, everyone knows he doesn’t date so the fact that he wants to take you out …”
I roll my eyes. “Lucky me, right?”
“I don’t know why you’re acting like you’re doing this as some kind of favor to him. You’re allowed to be excited. And you should be. You’re going to have an amazing time tonight.”
“Hopefully.” I give her a wink as I curl the last section.
“Are you going to let him kiss you again?” she asks.
I shrug. “If it happens, it happens.”
“What if he wants more than a kiss this time?”
I run my hand through my cooled curls to loosen them up before reaching for a tube of juicy pink lip gloss. “Then he’ll be sorely disappointed.”
A couple spritzes of perfume later, I examine myself in the full-length mirror in the corner. I opted for high-waisted jeans, strappy heels, and a white sweater. Definitely going for a casual look that’s a touch above my normal style yet doesn’t scream that I’m trying too hard.
The doorbell rings.
I gather a deep breath, grab my purse, and give myself one last once-over in the mirror before heading for the hallway.
“All right, babe. It’s your time to shine,” Brynn says, following behind me. “And I’m going to expect a full report first thing tomorrow.”
By the time I round the corner, I can hear Aunt Bette talking near the front door. She’s already let him in. Knowing her, she was probably waiting by the front window, watching for him to pull up.
“I’d tell you to bring her back the way you found her, but I’d almost rather you didn’t,” I hear Aunt Bette saying. “Show our girl a good time.”
“Aunt Bette,” I say, clearing my throat.
Talon’s weighty stare lifts to mine and Aunt Bette turns on her house-slippered feet.
“Irie.” Talon’s lips slip into a small smile. “Wow. Look at you.”
Who knew a few curls and some lip gloss would be all it takes to impress this man?
“You ready?” I ask. If we stand here any longer, Bette and Brynn are going to be popping popcorn. From the way they’re gawking, you’d think they were watching a real-life Nicholas Sparks movie playing out.
Talon gets the door, giving Aunt Bette and Brynn a quick nod goodbye, and within seconds he’s escorting me to an idling black BMW, every square inch of which is polished, shined, and waxed.
“I’ll get that,” he says, stepping around me to grab the passenger door.
I’ve never had a guy open a car door for me. It’s strange and old-fashioned