I Crave You - C.C. Wood Page 0,59

that nothing in the formal rooms of her house was out of place. If a single pillow wasn't properly angled on the couch, she would spend a good five minutes fluffing and adjusting them. The pretty vases and figurines set about the house were in exact positions on each piece of furniture and any cleaning staff were required to replace them precisely where they'd been before.

If I went through her living room, moving things around, it would drive her nuts as she tried to get everything back the way she wanted it.

Maybe that meant I was petty, but the woman had never been nice to me a day in her life and I'd known her as long as I'd known Brody. I barely tolerated her and, in this instance, I would only because I knew it meant something to the man I loved. God, that was going to take some getting used to. I'd spent a lot of time over the last ten years trying to get over my crush on him and now I'd actually gone and fallen in absolute, unyielding love with him.

And there was the fact that she would escalate to calling me personally if I refused. Because Brody wouldn't lie for me. It was one of the things I both loved and hated about him. If I ever committed a crime, he would hire the best lawyer money could buy for me, but he wouldn't lie to the cops and give me an alibi.

It was both admirable and irritating.

"I'll call you in a couple of days with the details," Brody said, studying my mouth.

When he leaned in, I put my fingers over his lips. "Uh-uh, buddy. No kisses for you. The mood has officially been ruined."

His eyes sparkled with mischief and amusement. "Then maybe you should give me a chance to rekindle it."

"I don't know. I mean, I'll probably spend the whole time thinking of your mother."

He groaned and let his head fall back on the couch. "Damn. You've nuked any chance. Now, I'll be thinking of my mother."

I grinned at him and patted his cheek. "That was kind of the point."

I shrieked when he dug his fingers into my ribs and ended up on the floor when I tried to escape his tickling hands.

"You asshole!" I yelled.

"Shhhh," he hushed me, a finger to his lips. "You'll wake up Jacks."

I pointed a finger at him. "You just wait. You will pay for that."

I leaped to my feet and attacked.

18

I stared in the mirror and tugged at the hem of my dress.

Tonight was dinner with Brody's parents. Happy, happy, fun times were sure to be had by all.

God, how had I ended up in this situation? I hadn't even slept with Brody, yet I was about to go have dinner with him, his daughter, and his parents. I hadn't had a 'meet the parents' moment with a guy in years. My last few boyfriends and I hadn't gotten that far.

Though his mother, Marilyn, detested me, I'd spent a fair amount of time at their house growing up. Birthday parties, barbeques, and pool parties. And while Marilyn and Thomas considered themselves above most of Farley's citizens, they did try to keep up appearances, which meant they had to invite the local pediatrician and his lovely wife to their events. My parents were a huge part of the town and knew nearly everyone. They had an active social life despite Dad's busy schedule at his office.

Now, I was going back with their son. I already knew that I would get slightly amused tolerance, as though I was a less-than-well-trained dog who'd piddled on the parlor rug. But Marilyn, well, she was the mistress of backhanded compliments and veiled insults. I would have to sit next to Brody and endure them for the rest of the night.

It hit me in the gut then, the realization that I would have to 'endure' meals like this for the rest of my life if things worked out between us. I loved him and I wanted to live with him, help him raise Jacks, and grow old with him.

As I stared into the eyes of my reflection, I wondered if it would be worth it. Facing the hostility, condescension, and barely audible comments about gold digging. I'd never considered it before because I'd been so deep in my own head and feelings for Brody.

Could I handle it?

I studied the woman with long, blonde hair like her mother and dark brown eyes like her father