Page 23 of Cru's Crush

From the corner of my eye, I saw my parents glance at each other. I had no doubt the look was meant to affirm they were right about Cru and me. Even though they weren’t.

The conversation he and I would have to have later would be awkward and embarrassing, but I had to reassure him that I hadn’t done or said anything to make them believe we were a couple.

“Can we take the two of you to dinner tonight?” my father asked when Cru pulled up and parked near the guesthouse.

“I’m sure Cru is busy?—”

“I’m not.”

“Oh, um…” I hadn’t expected him to interrupt me. “Well, then, it would be lovely. Thanks.” I turned to face my mother. “I need to do a bit of shopping this afternoon if you’d like to join me.”

“Could we do it tomorrow instead, sweetheart? I hoped to take a nap before dinner. You know how dreadful the flight over is.”

“Sure. Of course.” I’d need work clothes before tomorrow, but I’d figure something out.

“I’ll take you,” Cru offered quietly.

We madesure my parents were settled, then left them to rest. As soon as we were back in the SUV, I took a deep breath, then turned to him.

“I want you to know I didn’t say anything to lead my parents to believe you and I were anything more than friends.” My cheeks flamed in embarrassment.

“Neither did I.”

“I don’t know where they got the crazy idea…”

Cru nudged me with his elbow. “Wishful thinking. Your dad told me he’d always liked me better than Beau.”

When he smiled and winked, the tension in my shoulders released.

“Who wouldn’t?” I said, winking back at him.

“Where to?” he asked once we were out on the highway.

“It’s a bit of a drive, as well as in the direction from where we’ve just come, but I think San Luis Obispo might have better options.”

“I don’t mind. Slow time in the vineyard, so we might as well take advantage of it. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I can wait until dinner to eat.”

I put my hand on my rumbling tummy. “Me either.”

Rather than head south, Cru drove out to Moonstone Beach and parked in front of the Olallieberry Diner.

“I love this place.”

He nodded. “More to love about it now. My ma and Addy’s are running it.”

“How wonderful!”

“You don’t know the half of it. Ma hardly has time to get on her kids’ cases anymore.”

“I’ll admit I love that about her.”

Cru chuckled. “That’s because it gives you more to give me shit about.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” I repeated.

“Brat,” he muttered, getting out of the SUV. “I wish you’d wait for me,” he said when I climbed out before he came around and opened my door.

I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, but I am perfectly capable of getting it myself.”