Page 172 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

“The blonde from the city.”

“New York or LA.”

“LA.”

“But her artwork was brilliant.” Xander raises his finger as if he’s making a point that’s possibly strong enough to absolve her of all her other faults.

“Are you talking about Kiera?” My voice rings with curiosity even though I know they’re referring to Kiera. I shove another large bite into my mouth. Too bad I want seconds.Dang it.

“Yes, that was her name,” Xander says, petting the side of his face.

I shake my head because I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “I never knew you two were snobs. Are you snobbish elitists?”

“No,” they say at the same time, sounding offended.

I flex my eyebrows. “Good.”

“But we have a vast machine to keep churning. Don't you agree, honey?” Heartly says.

My gaze shifts between the two of them before I realize she’s talking to me. “Oh, we’re back to the money?” I ask.

Heartly huffs. “When did this one get so sassy, Xan?”

On that note, I set my fork down and pick up my napkin to wipe my mouth. “Thanks for dinner. I’ll take your suggestions regarding my love life into account.”

Heartly’s eyes expand too wide for her perfectly symmetrical face. “You’re leaving?”

I stand and stretch my arms as I let out one of many yawns I’ve been suppressing. “Yes, Mom. I’m tired.”

She rises to her feet. “Why don’t you sleep over then?”

“I prefer my own bed.” I push my chair under the table, signaling that there’s no way I’m sitting back down. “But thanks for the offer.” And I’m not being patronizing. I should be angry at my parents, but I’m not. I can hear Lake’s voice in my head saying, “Transition is always hard, Paisley.”

“It’s kind of late for Greg to be disturbed,” Heartly insists. “And you live in a building without a doorman.”

I quicken just a little, fighting to keep my reaction to her comment about a doorman to a minimum. But, boy, did that come out of left field. I was pretty sure the matter of my apartment building not having all the bells and whistles they’re used to was going to be the second topic of discussion for tonight. I don’t they think they planned for me to be so unmalleable.

“It’s okay, Mom. I’ll take the subway,” I say through my pasted-on smile.

“No,” My dad is out of his chair lightning fast. “Absolutely not.”

My parents look at each other as if I just revealed that I sold trade secrets or something. Dad shakes his head adamantly.

Xander whips his cell phone to his ear. “Greg is taking you home. And I don’t want to hear any lip about it.”

On the way home,I keep myself from interrogating Greg about Ronald Ashton. I thought I asked him to keep my impending date with his nephew between us. But I know he’s loyal to my father, not me. Or maybe he didn’t tell my parents at all. Maybe Ronald, who I’m certain is working for Max, blabbed to my brother. Regardless, I’m considering canceling our date.

I yawn first then sigh in exasperation. I can picture the conversation my parents are having at this very moment. Heartly is giving Xander a playback of all the instances that I “talked back” to her. And Xander is reining her in, encouraging her to strategize about how to bring the old me back by using constructive tactics. My dad… always the fixer. Now that I think of it, he’s where Max got it from.

“Long night?” Greg asks.

I sigh wearily. “Long night is an understatement.”

Greg tosses his head back and laughs, which confirms that he wasn’t the one who mentioned my date with his nephew to my parents. He wouldn’t dare set me up for more stress than Heartly and Xander are capable of causing whenever they don’t get their way. That means Ronald is definitely working for Max.

Damn.I should cancel our date pronto.

Chapter Sixty