Page 78 of The Love Interest

“I’ve certainly done my best to be a positive influence on every part of her.Thatone in particular.”

Welp. If Emmett ever wants to ask my mom for my hand in marriage, that pretty much sealed the deal right there.

“Who’s nourishing whose yoni?” My dad wanders into frame.

Kill me now.

“Emmett, sir. How do you do. How’s the cruise?”

“Hello, Emmett. I’m Rick. Lemme tell you something. They have people on this cruise called serenity stewards. I’ve started calling Sissy my serenity stewardess, because that’s what she’s been for me. Except when she’s being a pain in the ass, which is half the time.”

“Well, you can imagine what a delight your father has been since he can’t smoke pot onboard this ship.”

“Don’t listen to her.” I can tell he gives my mother a pat on the butt. I usually try to block out that kind of thing, but she seems to like it too. “I take my CBD oil, and it’s cool.” My dad squints at the screen. “Move the camera so I can see all of your man’s face.”

I move the phone so that Emmett’s face is squarely in the FaceTime window.

Emmett nods at him. “Hello again.”

“Are you Emmett Ford?”

“I am indeed.”

“Holy shit. I’ve read all the Jack Irons books. When’s the next one out?”

“Wait, what? I’ve never seen you read those books.”

“I read them on my Kindle so I don’t have to catch any flak from you and your mom. These ladies and their romance novels, am I right?”

“I have a newly acquired appreciation, to be honest. Next Jack Irons book will be out before the end of the coming year. Thanks for reading.”

“I mean, I didn’t love the last one, but…”

“Dad.”

“Can’t win ’em all.” Emmett shrugs.

I tilt the phone so Emmett isn’t in the window anymore. “So, Mom, I have a train to catch, but I wanted to tell you—I’ve decided to let Goliath stay here for a while. It’s my Christmas gift to Emmett. To thank him for letting me stay here. Is that all right with you?”

“Oh, that’s wonderful, baby girl. I was hoping one great cock would lead you to another.”

“Okay, gotta go—love you guys! Bye!”

I end the call before either of my parents says the words cock or yoni in front of Emmett one more time.

He grins at me. “They’re nice.”

“I can’t believe you talked to them.”

“What? Too soon to meet your parents?”

“Not too soon for me. I just didn’t think you’d…”

He puts his hands on my waist and draws me in for a hug. “You’d be surprised what I’d…”

I hug him so hard. I don’t want to let go.

“I called you a cab. It’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”