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“Something like that, yes. My mom kind of got carried away and jumped to lots of conclusions when I told her I was pregnant and I, uh, didn’t correct her.” It had seemed so easy at the time, just to let her go on and on. Now though, my chicken shit hens were coming home to roost because relying on Rhett Rivers not to delight in the absurd was like expecting a cat to not chase a laser pointer - it was simply in his nature. The man thrived on mischief and reveled in turning any situation on its head.
As if to confirm my point, Rhett chuckled, that deep rumbling laugh that did something to my insides I didn’t want to admit. “Well, this is gonna be interesting then.” He winked at me. “Don’t worry, I can play the part.”
I groaned. This was going to be a disaster. I just knew it. Grabbing the pie off the dashboard, I steeled myself. “Don’t you dare play games now. This isn’t funny.”
His eyes lit with unholy glee. “On the contrary, pookie, it’s hilarious.”
“Pookie? Why the fuck are you calling me?—”
Before I could finish the sentence, he was opening his door, climbing out and going to the back of the car. I took a moment to drag in a few deep breaths, watching in the side mirror as Rhett opened the trunk. Now what the fuck was he doing? Oh, he’d brought a gift for my parents. Sweet.
The charitable thought lasted all of two seconds, because when he came to my side of the car and opened the door, he said, “Come on, schnookums.”
The strangled sound I made in the back of my throat did nothing for my dignity, but I had no choice but to follow, hoping against hope that this evening didn’t turn into a total catastrophe. Though, knowing Rhett and my family, the odds weren’t in my favor.
On the front porch, I plastered on my biggest, fakest smile as the front door swung open to reveal my parents. Mom’s face absolutely lit up at the sight of Rhett beside me. I could already see her planning our fucking wedding.
“Scarlett! And you must be Rhett,” Mom gushed. “It’s so wonderful to meet you! Scarlett has told usallabout you.”
I mean, I had hardly told them anything at all. Everything Mom “knew” about Rhett, she’d made up herself.
“All good things, I hope.”
“Of course, of course.” Dad gave him a vigorous handshake that lasted so long it started to get awkward. Mom actually had to put her hand on Dad’s forearm to get him to let go.
“We were just sothrilledat the news. And of course, when Scarlett told us your name, I wentstraightto google.”
Oh. Fuck.
“It seems you were quite the rapscallion in your salad days.”
From oh fuck to what the fuck in a nanosecond. I hadneverheard my mom talk like that.
“I sure was, but your daughter has thoroughly tamed me. The leash is tight, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Was he rubbing his neck as though I’d actually used a real leash on him?
Mom giggled, and it was like…was she flirting? Eeeww. “Oh, dearie me, what am I doing, leaving you standing on the porch? Come in, come in.”
Rhett put his hand on the small of my back in a way that was just a little too intimate for my liking as we stepped inside. “After you, pookie.” He took the chance to grab my ass as I moved by him, and I had to bite my tongue to stop the yelp that rose to my lips. I shot him a warning glare over my shoulder, but he just winked.
“Jackass,” I whispered, which just got me another ass squeeze.
Dad led us through to the dining room, blustering the whole way. Christ, I was surprised they hadn’t rolled out a red carpet and thrown rose petals at Rhett’s feet as he walked inside.
“We’re so excited to have you both here,” Mom prattled on. “I can’t get over how radiant you look, Scarlett. Pregnancy certainly agrees with you!”
I forced another smile as we took our seats at the table. “Thanks, Mom. I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
Maybe I had a tone, because an awkward silence fell over the table. Until Mom said, “I’ll just pop this in the fridge, shall I, dear? We don’t want it spoiling, do we?”
“Sure. Good idea.” Although, chances were we’d be taking it home with us if Misty happened to also bring something for dessert.
When Mom came back from the kitchen, she gave Rhett a beaming smile. “Did you know Scarlett is an excellent baker, Rhett?”
“I did, as a matter of fact.” He leaned back and casually draped his arm along the back of my chair. It was all I could do not to scowl because he smelled so damn good and I had to use every ounce of willpower not to lean closer, just to breathe him in. “She practically threw an apple pie at me not long after we met. It was sensational. I’ll be sure to take full advantage of that particular talent of hers.”
“Yes, well, I’m sure Rhett didn’t come over to discuss my baking skills, Mom.”
Mom, however, was not to be deterred. “Oh, I don’t know, dear. It’s important for a couple to share and enjoy each other’s talents, don’t you think?”