“This girl has been a bad influence on you.”
“Bye, mother.”
“No! Wait. I’m sorry. I’m just not ready to let some woman steal you away from me.”
“We hardly ever see each other.”
“And it would be more. You already spend your time with that insufferable brother and his father.”
“Enough. I’ll call you tomorrow. If you ever come here uninvited again, I’ll forget you’re my mother and have you arrested.”
“Don’t be so callous, Emmitt. I have to go. I have a lunch date to prepare for. I’m going to have to break the news to all the women you were supposed to meet this weekend.”
“Bye.” I hang up because I can’t take another whiny complaint.
I open the door to find Madison with a mug of coffee in her hands. I take it and set it on her dresser, then scoop her up in my arms and sit us on the bed.
“Did you hear any of that?”
“Only a little. Apparently, voices carry through the walls.”
“Shit. Oops. I hope Addison could sleep.”
“No wonder she went to work without waking me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m trying to feel embarrassed, but I’m not. I’m twenty and I have a sexy man in my bed. It’s only natural that I submit to him.”
“You’re asking to go without food.”
“Places deliver, you know.”
I growl, flip her onto her back, and promise to order later—much later.
Chapter 7
Madison
“I’m nervous.” I’ve read the same chapter three times for my English class assignment. I needed to have it finished by tomorrow, but I don’t think I’m going to get it done. My hands are shaking as I wait for Emmitt to come get me.
“Why? They’re going to love you. Even the shrew thought you were adorable.” His mother came with him to apologize. I felt so uncomfortable, but I did it for Emmitt. She behaved well and even appeared to like me. Although, I don’t really buy it. She wants to stay in Emmitt’s good graces.
“Yes, but I know how much Emmitt values their opinions.” His mother he loves as his mother, but he doesn’t respect her. Now his stepfather and brother, those two he truly admires them.
“And they’re going to love you. So when are you going to tell your parents?”
I cringe at the thought. They’re going to warn me off it. I know Emmitt and I are moving at warp speed, so I’m afraid that they’ll be disappointed. “Tomorrow.”
Addison gives me her best judgmental pose—arms crossed, head tilted, eyes like slits, and a frown. “Was that the tomorrow that was yesterday or today?”
I close my laptop, feeling like I’m never going to finish this chapter for class. “Shut it. I’ll tell them soon.”
Emmitt comes through the door, having been given a key. “Thank you, Mr. Chandler. Yes, one minute.” He walks up to me, puts the phone to his thigh, and kisses me hard. “Hey, Venus, your parents would like to talk to you.” He hands me the phone and I’m shaking even harder than I was before.
“Hey, dad, mom,” I squeak out, physically bracing myself for the yelling.
“Hey, princess. We just had a lovely chat with your man. So when were you going to tell us about him?” My dad sounds annoyed, and I can’t blame him.
“I planned on it tomorrow. It’s been so sudden.”
“Yes, well, if you ever change your mind, you can come home, but we expect to meet him before the wedding,” my mother adds, chiming in.
“Of course. I love you both.”
“We love you, sweetheart. Now, if he ever is bad to you, let me know and I’ll bring out the shovel.” He often joked about that when I was growing up, but I never had many boyfriends and none of them ever made it more than a week.
“Bad daddy. I’ll talk to you later.” I end the call and hand him the phone. “Here. I can’t believe you called them.”
“Why not? I had to ask your dad for permission.”
“Oh really? I don’t even remember you asking me.” Then he drops down to one knee.
“It’s been a wonderfully amazing two weeks. I’ve fallen in love with one look and each and every new thing I learn about you only deepens that feeling. Madison, marry me.”
“Yes. Of course.” He slides the large diamond ring on my finger and the only thing I can think about is how much it must have cost. This man has been keeping secrets from me.
“Wow, that ring is killer.” Addison caught me by surprise, snapping a picture.
Emmitt kisses me again before turning to my friend. “Did you get a good shot?”
“I’m no professional, but how is this?” She walks up to him, handing back his Nikon.
“Damn, I love it.” Emmitt’s grinning at the picture as he gives her a slight hug that doesn’t even make me jealous like I expect it to do. Instead, I give her my own hug. She’s my best friend, and the reason I found my man.