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 and I knew, without a doubt, that I could handle any fucking thing they threw at me.
I would persist with kindness, love, and strength. I would brave any ugliness hurled at me. Because their thoughts and opinions of me didn't matter. I didn't have to live with that sort of stain on my soul.
I squared my shoulders and smoothed my dress down one more time. The lavender sundress wasn't fancy but it highlighted the curves of my torso without making me feel like I was completely on display. I had someplace to be and I'd spent enough time staring at myself in the mirror.
I went to the bed and scooped up my one designer bag. It was small, beige, and cute. Sierra had given it to me for Christmas a couple of years ago. I also wore nude wedge sandals. It was likely that Marilyn would look down her nose at them, but they were comfortable and they made my legs look awesome.
I'd gone all out on my appearance, my nicest clothes, make-up, pedicure, and sleek, straight hair. Not to impress Brody's parents but because I liked the way Brody looked at me when I surprised him.
And I knew he'd like what he saw when I opened the door.
As though my thoughts conjured him, the doorbell rang. I left my bedroom and put a little extra sway in my walk as I strutted past where Sierra sat on the couch.
She wolf-whistled. "You clean up good, girl. Next, you'll only wear white before Labor Day and have a 'cocktail hour' before dinner."
"I never wear white, though a cocktail hour doesn't sound too bad. Maybe we should try it sometime."
"I say we reinstate Champagne Thursday, only it's every day of the week."
I laughed and continued to the door.
"Have fun and remember to use protection!" Sierra called out just as I opened the front door.
I was grateful that Jacks was waiting in the car and didn't hear that last comment. The wince on Brody's face made it clear that he'd heard it as well. Then his face changed as he took in what I was wearing.
"You look..."
I waited but he never completed his thought. "Now, that's the way to a woman's heart, an unfinished sentence."
Brody grinned and it was nearly devastating. He wore a button-down shirt, sans tie, and a pair of shiny gray slacks that fit him like a glove.
"You're gorgeous, always," he said, tucking his hands into his pockets and rocking back on his heels.
"Much better." I stepped out of the house and called back. "Lock the deadbolt, Sierra!"
"No way. I want the place to be robbed and vandalized. Sounds like a good time. I might even help."
I rolled my eyes and shut the door behind me. She would lock it, even if she smarted off about it.
When I turned back, Brody was deep in my space, the flippy hem of my dress brushing against the legs of his pants.
"Actually, the reason I didn't finish my thought earlier is because I was thinking you were a cruel, vicious woman."
I lifted my brows. "What?"
"You wore this knowing that Jacks would be with us and I wouldn't be able to properly show my appreciation."
I shivered at the heat in his words and my toes curled. God, we would have to resolve the sexual tension between us soon or we were going to spontaneously combust.
"Well, I'll wear it again for you another time when we're alone and you can give me the demonstration twice," I murmured back.
His cheek brushed mine as he leaned forward and put his lips to my ear. "We'll be alone when Jacks goes to Monica's for two weeks."
While his words ignited a fire in my blood, the knowledge that he had to let Jacks go with her mom after the shit that woman had been pulling burned my gut.