Peyton beams while I frown. What is going on right now? It’s not like these people are exactly warm by nature, but there seems to be a considerable amount of tension between him and Madeline.
Natalie, the chef’s assistant, rolls a cart into the room and sets a dish in front of each one of us. Charles’s plate is filled with a giant omelet, hash browns, bacon, and fruit. Damn, that looks good. The rest of us have a scoop of cottage cheese with a few berries on top.
“Eat up, girls. As my wife so helpfully reminded me, we don’t have much time.” He waits until we each take a bite. “Now, as for the reason I called you here, I wanted to check in with you. I’ve been out of town so much recently, I feel out of the loop. Jasmine, you’ve been here for a couple of weeks now, how are you settling in?”
“Um... fine.”
Charles raises an eyebrow. “And school? How’s that going?”
“Yeah, Jasmine, how’s school going?” Peyton goads.
I bounce her fake smile right back at her. “It’s just great, thank you for asking.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Charles says.
Madeline lifts her eyes to her daughter. “How is Kingston, dear? Have you two discussed what color theme you’re going with for homecoming?”
Peyton huffs and jerks her head in my direction. “You should ask the boyfriend thief over there.”
Madeline turns to me, confusion evident in her expression. “What does that mean?”
I shrug. “I have no idea. Kingston dumped her, so it seems like she’s looking for someone to blame.”
Peyton’s face turns red. “He did not dump me! We mutually decided to take a break.”
I scoff. Sheesh, this girl is delusional. “Sure, let’s go with that.”
Madeline looks back at Peyton. “You two broke up again? I thought you had settled your... issues.”
Peyton moves the berries around on her plate. “Just temporarily. I’ve given him permission to sow his oats, or whatever, before we graduate and it’s time to get serious.” She looks me directly in the eye. “You might have his attention now, but that won’t last. You can’t keep him. He always comes back to me.”
“I don’t want him. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
She rolls her eyes. “Right. Then why are you hanging out with him?”
I grind my teeth. “We’re... friends. I’m also friends with his sister. Are you going to accuse me of wanting Ainsley as well?”
Madeline clears her throat. “Jasmine, I didn’t realize you and Kingston were spending time together. When did that start?”
“This week.” I shrug. “It’s no big deal. We hung out once. And my seven-year-old sister was with us almost the entire time.”
Peyton’s jaw drops. “Kingston doesn’t like little kids. Why would he spend time with one?”
I smirk. “Hmm, that’s weird, because if you ask me, he’s pretty great with ‘em.”
Madeline looks upset, but for some reason, Charles looks pleased with this bit of information.
Charles takes a sip of his coffee. “Well, I’m glad to hear you’re making friends, Jasmine. Kingston Davenport is a fine young man. I approve of your association with him.”
I give him a look that says, Gee, thanks, because your approval makes my life complete.
“Daddy!” Peyton shouts.
Charles rolls his eyes. “Oh, don’t be such a poor sport, Peyton. Men aren’t built to be monogamous. If Kingston wants to spend a little time with Jasmine—or any other girl, for that matter—it’s none of your business. Trying to force his hand will accomplish nothing. You know better than to expect otherwise.”
I bite my tongue to prevent myself from going off on his misogynistic ass.
Peyton’s nostrils flare before she schools her expression and smiles. “You’re right, Daddy. Of course.”
He nods. “Of course I’m right.”
Ms. Williams walks into the room. “Excuse the interruption, but the younger Mr. Davenport just pulled into the driveway.”
Thank God.
My fork clinks on my plate when I drop it. “That’s my ride.”
Madeline and Peyton gasp in unison.
Sperm Donor smiles. “You may be excused, Jasmine. Have a great day at school.”
I grab my bag from beneath the table and pull it over my shoulder. “Yeah... thanks.”
I can’t escape the Twilight Zone fast enough. I step out the front door right as Kingston is pulling up.
God, I wish I didn’t find his car so sexy, but I do. I really do. I fumble for a minute before I can figure out how to open the door before sliding into the passenger seat.
“Hey.” Kingston’s eyes are glued to my thighs.
I yank my plaid skirt back into place. It had ridden up as I was getting into the car. I need to be more cautious—I’m still not used to wearing these damn things every day.
“Hey. You showed up just in time to save me from the most awkward breakfast ever. I’m pretty sure Peyton was ready to claw my eyes out.”
Kingston shifts into gear. “Since when do the Callahans have weekday breakfast together?”
“Since today, apparently.” I shrug. “My sperm donor wanted to ‘check in’ with us.”
He frowns. “Check in on what, exactly?”
“He asked me how school was going, how I’m settling in. Stuff like that. Then, you got brought up and the tension quadrupled. Fun times.” I make a funny face. “Not.”
Kingston raises his brows. “How did I get brought up?”
“I don’t remember exactly... Madeline asked Peyton something about homecoming. Then Peyton accused me of trying to steal you away from her, which led to Charles spouting off some sexist bullshit about men being incapable of monogamy.”
He belts out a laugh.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Don’t tell me you agree with that prick.”
Kingston’s lips turn up in a grin. “I definitely don’t agree with him. That’s a blanket statement for pretty much everything. Speaking of homecoming... you get a dress yet?”
“Why would I do that?”
He looks at me as if I’m dense. “Because that’s what girls do.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not most girls.”
“I’ve noticed,” he says matter-of-factly. “But you need to get one anyway.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Why is that? I have no intention of going.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Why the hell should I?” I challenge.
“Jesus Christ, woman.” Kingston blows out a breath. “You need to get a dress because I need a date and I want you to be that date.”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry... I thought I left Bizzarro World back at the house. What in the hell are you talking about?”
Kingston scrubs a hand down his face in frustration. “Are you going to fight me at every turn? Why are you being so damn difficult?”
“Uh... because you can’t always get what you want? Why would you want me to be your date anyway? You don’t even like me.”
He gives me a wry look. “We both know that’s not true.”