Page 96 of Can't Win 'Em All
“That’s probably what’s happening with my father, too.”
“Yeah. Let’s see if we can use that to our advantage, shall we?”
25
TWENTY-FIVE
Only Pearl gave me grief about meeting in my suite. She said she had a date—which was news to me—but I promised this was more important. That was enough to get her to postpone. I made a mental note to figure out who she was dating, then arranged for a huge Chinese banquet to be delivered upstairs.
Rex ushered everybody inside my suite. They were obviously curious, but nobody pushed me when I said I wanted to wait until the food was delivered to get into things. I didn’t want any distractions or interruptions. I didn’t want any eavesdroppers either.
Rex collected the food when it arrived and wheeled it into the kitchen, where he proceeded to set it up on the counter. Then, without me asking, he filled a plate full of my favorites—garlic chicken, sesame chicken, egg rolls, and crab rangoon—and delivered it to me on the couch.
“Good?” he asked, brushing my hair away from my face. My heart seized in my throat when I registered the naked love he was throwing at me. He was an open book these days. It had been a book I was afraid to read—as if it were a Stephen King special or something—but suddenly I realized that I was ready to hear the whole story.
“I’m good,” I replied on a wistful sigh.
“What was that?” he asked, cocking his head.
I recognized all eyes were on us and forced myself to keep my mushy thoughts to myself … at least for the time being. “Nothing. I was just thinking about the egg roll.”
He smirked. “I aim to please.” He dropped a kiss on top of my head, ignoring the curious looks from my family, and returned to the kitchen. “Fill your plates. We have a lot to discuss and you’re going to need the energy to get through it.”
“I’m not going to say no to food.” Zach ushered Livvie in front of him so they were the first into the kitchen. “I am a little nervous about whatever you’ve called us here for.”
“Why would you be nervous?” Rex asked.
“You didn’t like … elope with my sister, did you?” Zach was deadly serious. “You’re going to be in big trouble if you did.”
“Oh, yeah?” Rex snorted. “Didn’t you elope with my sister?”
“That was your idea,” Zach argued. “Also, that wasn’t a denial.” His eyes moved to me. “Mom is going to punish you forever if you eloped.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth, Zachary,” Mom barked. “Although, he’s not wrong. You’re in big trouble if you eloped. I have plans for your wedding.”
“Mom.” I was exasperated. “I don’t want some big, elaborate deal. Good grief.”
“See, that just proves you’re thinking about marriage.” Mom’s eyes flicked to Rex. “No eloping. I can’t issue a realistic threat against Ruby, but I can against you. I’ll make you work weekends for the rest of your life if you elope.”
I expected Rex to balk, or get tongue tied. Instead, he just laughed. “Nobody is eloping. If you haven’t figured it out already, Ruby needs to be eased into things. You can’t just spring something like a wedding on her and expect her to accept it. She’ll fight just to fight under those circumstances.”
I was pretty certain I’d just been insulted. “Hey!”
Rex blew me an air kiss before turning back to my mother. “I would never ask Ruby to marry me without getting your permission. I mean … only a jerk would marry someone without getting permission from a parent.” He cast a pointed look toward Zach.
“I hate you,” Zach muttered, his disgruntlement obvious. “Like … completely and totally.”
Rex chuckled as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “I might not respect Mr. Stone, but I respect you,” he assured Mom. “I promise I won’t propose without giving you a heads-up.”
Mom beamed at him. “I knew I always liked you.” To me, she nodded and pointed. “I told you he was a good one.”
“I don’t actually remember you saying that,” I argued around a mouthful of egg roll. “I’m glad you approve though, since he is going to be the father of your first grandchild.”
“Yes, speaking of that.” Mom paused with her hand halfway to the moo shu pork. “You’re not really going to name my granddaughter Rexanne, are you?”
“No,” I replied on a scowl, shooting a warning look toward Rex. “Stop telling people that.”
“I don’t see why you won’t even consider it,” Rex complained. “We could call her Rexy. It would be adorable.”
