Page 29 of Prelude of Love
“And Duke always saves us the good bourbon,” Mister added.
“He pretends to be such a grump,” Mom said fondly, “but last month, when I was having a rough day, he made me his special off-menu comfort food burger and wouldn’t let me pay.”
“See?” I gestured with my mug. “They’re perfect.”
“They’remarried,” Dad tried one last time.
“And they’re both interested. Early practically gave me an engraved invitation this morning. What’s the harm?”
Mister raised an eyebrow. “Did he now?”
“Well, he hinted that Duke and I should get to know each other better.”
“Promise me you’ll be smart about this,” Dad requested.
“When am I not?”
Three identical looks of skepticism made me laugh.
“Okay, fair point. But I promise I won’t do anything to mess up your favorite hangout spots.” I smirked. “Unless you count making Duke bend me over the bar after hours and?—”
“And on that note,” Dad interrupted, his chair scraping the floor as he stood, “I’m leaving before I hear anything else about my son’s sex life.”
“What about that time in Vancouver when—” Mom started.
“Nope!” Dad covered his ears. “Not listening!”
We all burst out laughing as he retreated from the kitchen, muttering about boundaries and oversharing.
“Stop being such a prude,” I called after Dad’s retreating back. “You’d think having regular sex with the love of his life would make him loosen up more.”
“If anything, it’s made his protective instincts go into overdrive,” Mom explained. “Which is sweet.”
I scowled into my coffee. “No, it’s annoying. He acts like I’m going to break Duke and Early up by breathing in their direction.”
“Well, your track record isn’t exactly stellar,” Mister reminded me.
“Because I want fun, not relationships. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Speaking of fun,” Mom said, draining the last of her coffee, “the three of us should grab lunch at Hurly-burly when we’re done here.”
I perked up. “Yes! Let’s do that.”
Mister checked his watch. “Sorry, I can’t join you today. I’ve got a meeting with Kinsey in an hour.”
Mom's grin turned wicked as she used air quotes. “A meeting? Is that what you’re calling it?”
“Yes,” my uncle replied, sounding almost as prim as Dad had.
Mom’s expression said she wasn’t buying my uncle’s bullshit. “When are you going to admit you’re interested in him and ask him on an actual date?”
“Never, because we’re only friends,” he protested, but the tips of his ears turned pink. It was surprisingto see my normally calm and collected uncle be anything other than confident and in control.
“Friends who desperately want to fuck each other.” I snickered at his pained expression. “Come on, Uncle Mister. I’ve seen how you look at him. You get all soft and gooey whenever he’s around.”
Mister sat straighter on the stool. “I donotget soft and gooey.”
“You absolutely do,” Mom agreed. “It’s adorable. And Kinsey is such a sweetheart. He’d be good for you, especially now that you’re no longer with Xian.”
