“Uncle Chandler,” Mina says, tugging on my slacks. “What’s a perm dona?”
I have to think through everything we’ve just said before I can figure out what term she’s asking about.
Then I figure it out. “It’s, uh, nothing, sweetie.”
Arin belts out the next verse of her song. “Sperm donor! Spe-ermm!”
Yeah. Whoops. Again. “Maybe it’s time for us to mingle with the grown-ups.”
“Probably a good idea.” Genny turns to my ex. “You have beautiful children, Gwen. So honored to have gotten to meet them and you.”
“You too!”
I look down at where we’re linked as we walk. “You’re holding my hand. That’s unusual, isn’t it?”
“I was playing my part as a date. That’s all.” She pulls her hand from mine with annoyance. “She was an old girlfriend, wasn’t she?”
“Wha-? How did you know?”
“It was a guess. The way you bantered. There was history in your subtext.”
“I’m over her,” I assure her. “Way over her. Have been for years.”
She smirks. “Awfully defensive, aren’t you?”
I stop walking, grab her hand and tug her into my arms. “I wasn’t being defensive,” I whisper, my mouth at her ear. “I just wanted to make it clear that there is only one woman on my mind these days, and it isn’t her.”
Where the fuck did that come from? They’re words I should never have thought, let alone uttered out loud.
At least they seem to earn me points because Genny closes her eyes, as though she’s taking in my words, soaking in the moment.
“You’re good at this whole pretend date thing,” she murmurs.
“Oh, I’m just getting started.” And then I bend to kiss her. For show, of course. No other reason at all.
After a brief make-out session in the garden, we find my family where I expect them—on the patio off the house. Mirabelle is cuddling with one of the twins while my mother sits, sipping ginger ale and correcting everything my sister does with the baby. Hudson is standing nearby discussing something quietly with our father—business, I’d guess. I meant it when I said he’s always working.
“There you are,” Mom says, lifting her cheek for me to kiss. “I was beginning to think you were too caught up in chasing skirts to even say hello to your parents.”
I ignore her jab, not wanting to draw more attention to my reputation in front of Genevieve. “Where’s Laynie and Adam?” I had hoped everyone would be together when I introduced my date.
Mira barely looks up at me as she bounces the baby on her shoulder. “Adam got called into work this weekend. He’ll join us later. And I think Laynie’s nursing Brett inside.”
“You’ll have to meet them later,” I say to my date. Then I address the small crowd. “Everyone, this is Genevieve Fasbender. She’s from London and she’s here for a month or so on business—hopefully longer, if all works out.” Yes, I’m caught up on the minor detail of her possibly leaving. Much more than I’ve let on.
Even though this relationship isn’t serious, I know my mother cares most about a woman’s breeding, so I say, “We met at the Accelecom Charity Banquet last week.” I’m careful to emphasize Accelecom. “Genny helped put the gala together, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
My mother stands, which is already more than I’d expected, her eyes narrowed as she scrutinizes the woman beside me.
“Genny, this is my mother, Sophia,” I say.
Then I start to pray. I’m telling you—that’s the only way to survive an introduction to my mother. That woman is unpredictable at best.
“So honored to meet you,” Genevieve says with as much grace as a princess.
And with the authority of a queen, my mother says, “Charity functions of that scale are quite an undertaking. I oversee the Pierce Annual Autism Awareness Fashion Show as well as several smaller events. I know the work that goes into them. It’s impressive.”
I lean toward my date. “I think that’s a compliment.” The entire interaction has been a happy surprise.
Until my mother turns her attention to me. “She’s too thin, Chandler. She’ll never be able to carry a baby to term if you don’t put some weight on her bones.”
“Yep. She just said that. Out loud.” We were so close to a perfect start! I let out a long breath, reminding myself it’s not polite to punch your mom.
Unfazed, Genevieve responds with a smile. “Actually, Mrs. Pierce, my size is deceiving. I’m broad in the hips, as is my mother. She had particularly easy births with both my brother and me. I imagine I’ll be just fine.”
“Perhaps.”
Somewhat harsh, but it went…well, better than it could have.
My mother sits back in her chair and throws a scowl at her husband. “Jack, stop ogling the poor girl.”
“I’m not ogling, I’m being attentive.” My father steps in to shake Genny’s hand, and to his credit, is completely appropriate with the length of time he grips it as well as where he keeps his gaze. “Did I hear your name correctly? Your father is Edward Fasbender?” He exchanges a glance with Hudson. “He’s quite a respectable businessman.”
Maybe I was wrong about which parent would be more interested in my date’s family ties.
“That he is.” Genevieve gives her father more respect than I’d give a man who thought so little of me. “I’m honored to be able to work with him, though I’m pretty sure I got the job because of my name.” She winks, and she’s so enchanting when she does that I have to hide a shiver.