Perfectly Toxic (Sterling Shore 9)

Dad coolly assesses Bella for a few more minutes that seem to make Bella uncomfortable. Casually, I stretch my arm over the back of her chair and give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Dad’s just observant. If he didn’t like her, he’d have already said as much, because he’s as blunt as I am.

“So where are the others?” Bella asks when the silence stretches on.

“I told them not to come,” Mom boasts, as though it’s a great thing.

My lips twitch when Bella noticeably grimaces, realizing the full weight of everyone’s attention will continue to stay on her. She shoves another forkful of fish into her mouth before giving me a sidelong glance of annoyance for not warning her.

We’r

e almost finished eating, and she’s just now gathered the courage to even ask why no one else is here.

I just grin like the asshole I am, knowing there will be hell to pay for this later. Angry sex with Bella… Yeah, it’ll be worth it.

“I really wanted to spend the evening getting to know you a little better,” Mom goes on, still beaming with bright eyes.

My father shakes his head, but his lips twitch knowingly. Poor Bella.

“How many kids do you want?” my mother asks Bella, who chokes on her fish.

This time, my father turns his head so that no one sees him containing his laughter.

Usually, Mom’s interrogation tactics really grate on my nerves, especially since there’s no way in fucking hell I’m ready to get married and do the kids thing anytime soon.

But I love watching Bella blush furiously while trying to think of anything to say.

“Four,” she answers seriously, and this time I’m the one to choke and jerk my arm back from around her.

Mom looks like she’s died and gone to Christmas heaven as her eyes widen, and a huge smile breaks across her face.

“Four,” Mom repeats, and I glare at Bella who smirks without looking at me. “Four is perfect!” Mom giggles like a little girl, and Bella sits back smugly.

Damn her. This was supposed to be my fun, not hers.

“Arlene, dear, how about we move this along. I have a few friends coming over for drinks after dinner.”

“You can’t drink,” Mom immediately says, to which Dad smiles over at her.

“I’m aware. I didn’t say I was drinking, dear.”

Bella watches them with rapt attention, as Dad reaches over and thumbs my mother’s cheek before kissing it. Me? I hate it when they do this, because who enjoys seeing their parents flirt.

Mom blushes when Dad goes so far as to whisper something in her ear, and I stand up, putting my napkin on the table.

“On that note, we should get going,” I tell my mother.

She snaps her head toward us, and her eyes sadden. “But you haven’t even had dessert.”

“We’ll take a raincheck,” I say as Bella stands.

“I’ll take dessert, dear,” Dad drawls, causing me to gag when my mother giggles again.

Dad winks at me, like he’s actually mocking me for having a zero-tolerance policy for their intimate shit.

I just threw up in my mouth.

Bella stays quiet, silently observing them as my dad continues to whisper shit into my mother’s ear. She’s almost reluctant to walk away when I start tugging at her hand.

“Oh!” Bella finally says, turning to walk away from me. “I almost forgot about my present.”