Beloved Liar (The Reed Rivers Trilogy 3)

“No, we’re stopping in Boston first. LA, after that.”

“Oh, I love Boston. Make sure you walk the Freedom Trail, if you’ve never done that. Do you need a restaurant suggestion? My cousin lives in Boston.”

“No, I’ve got it covered. It’s Georgina’s birthday tomorrow, so I’m taking her and her stepsister out to an extra special lunch.”

“Ooh. Nice.” Tony’s dark eyes shift to Georgina in the rearview mirror. “Happy birthday, Miss Ricci.”

“Thank you. I’m excited I get to see my stepsister.” She tugs on my sleeve and mouths, Thank you.

“Your stepsister lives in Boston?”

“She’s a student at Berklee. The music college?”

“Oh, yeah. That’s a good one. She must be talented.”

“Oh, she is.” Georgina flashes me a salty look that makes me chuckle, before adding, “My stepsister is a singer-songwriter, and she just got hired to play at a popular coffee house near campus. She beat out lots of other talented people for the job.”

“Good for her.”

“Tomorrow evening, Reed and I are going to watch her perform there.”

“Sounds like a great birthday to me.”

“Doesn’t it? It’s been a great birthday week. The best, ever. Tomorrow will be the icing on the cake.”

“So, you met Reed’s mother today and he’s meeting your stepsister tomorrow? This sounds serious, Mr. Rivers.”

“That, it is, Tony. That, it is.”

“Reed has already met my stepsister,” Georgina says. “But he’s never seen her perform, so that will be particularly exciting.”

“What about your parents, Miss Ricci? Has Reed met them? If so, I’m assuming your father grilled Reed about his intentions, and then threatened to break his legs if he breaks your heart.”

Georgina chuckles. “Reed hasn’t met my dad yet, no. But that’s exactly what he’d do. How’d you know that?”

Tony shrugs. “You’re Ricci. I’m Borelli. I’ve got three daughters of my own, so I know how Italian fathers think. My daughters are still young, but if they brought home a suave guy like Mr. Rivers, I’d let the guy have it. No offense, Mr. Rivers.”

“None taken. I’ve been called far worse things in my life than ‘suave.’”

Georgina says, “I’ve brought home exactly one boyfriend in my life. And my father went so freaking Italian on that guy, I’ve never had the stomach to bring anyone home again.”

Tony chuckles. “Sounds like your father is a good egg.”

“The best. He was right to dislike that guy I brought home, by the way. He turned out to be a first-class jerk.”

“Daddy always knows best.”

Tony’s eyes in his rearview mirror shift to me, and I flash him a look that says, “Wrap it up.”

“Well, I’ll leave you two alone now,” Tony says. “Would you like some air? Music?”

“Music,” I reply. “Something mellow, not too loud.”

“You got it, Mr. Rivers.”

Soft, soothing music begins playing and Georgina sinks back into the leather seat. “Whew. I was more nervous about meeting your mom than I let on. I’m so glad it went well.”

“Let’s do it, Georgie.”

She glances at Tony and mouths, “Here?”

I chuckle, realizing she thinks I want to have sex. “No, sweetheart. Take me to meet your father.”

Georgina makes the exact face I’d expect her to make if I’d just now asked her to shave my balls.

“Why is that such a ridiculous request?” I say, laughing at her expression. “We said we’re not going to hide our relationship anymore. And you said yourself you don’t care what anyone thinks.”

“My father isn’t ‘anyone.’ I care very much what he thinks.”

“Aw, come on. I brought you to meet my mother, and I was scared to death to do that. And look how fantastically that turned out.”

“That’s different.”

“Why?”

“Because your mother would never think I’m your boss. Because I haven’t paid off your student loans, and your mother’s condo, or paid for your mother’s expensive medicine.”

“Well, I’m not your boss. So, that’s not an issue.”

“My father won’t understand that.”

“And I can’t fathom your father will have a problem with me taking care of you, and someone you love dearly, to the best of my abilities. Plus, you really shouldn’t care what he thinks, Georgina. In the end, all that matters is what we think. What we feel.”

“Yes. That’s true, in relation to everyone in the world, except my father.”

“Are you planning to see him for your birthday when we get back?”

“On Saturday. I’m going to his house for dinner and cake.”

“Then I’m coming with you.”

She winces.

“Stop being a coward. We’re doing this. We’re both open books now, remember? We’ve got nothing to hide.”

“From each other.”

I laugh. “Come on, Ricci. Put your big girl panties on. Stop being a wimp.”

“He’s going to grill you, exactly like Tony said. He won’t be happy with anything except you saying I’m the great love of your life.”

“Great. Then, we’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Georgina makes that face I love. The one where she opens her mouth all the way, like she can’t believe what she’s heard.