Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“It’s not that,” she replied, her cheeks rosy. “It’s because you’re both such good boys.”
My stomach tightened as Rowan watched us, and I wondered what he was thinking.
“You’re as bad as my parents,” Casey said with a laugh. “But we know you only want what’s best for us. And that does not include dating.”
“How are your parents?” Dad asked, effectively changing the subject, and off they went on a tangent about his siblings and his dad’s busy work schedule. Not that our parents were even close, but they were friendly enough at school and town events.
Once drinks were on the way, my parents took their sweet time poring over the menu, asking Rowan about the different dishes, and he graciously answered, as if he were the expert on shrimp tempura and edamame. Decisions made, we finally ordered.
I still questioned my judgment in bringing them here, knowing they would’ve been way more comfortable at the pizza joint, but they didn’t seem to mind, so it was probably my own anxiety. My dad even enjoyed his first taste of sake, which Rowan had ordered for him to try. I’d opted for a beer, as did Casey, and Mom was happy with her sweet mixed drink. If anything, the alcohol seemed to lighten the mood, Mom gearing up to probe Rowan with all sorts of questions.
I should’ve warned her how private he was, but I was also curious about his responses, so I didn’t intervene. Yet.
“How long have you lived here?”
I held my breath, wondering if Rowan felt put on the spot.
“My whole life. I was raised in Brooklyn. My dad was a designer, busy building an empire, so I got used to the industry fairly quickly.”
“Yes, I know the Abernathy name,” she replied. “And I’ve seen the fancy dresses in those celebrity magazines in the checkout line at the supermarket.”
Oh God, kill me now.
But Rowan smiled almost wistfully. “Yes, my father designed for some famous people over the years.”
“I was sorry to hear of his passing,” she said, reaching over to pat his hand. “Is your mother still around?”
I winced as I waited for Rowan to shut himself down like a fortress, but he didn’t. He answered her personal questions with grace and didn’t look the least bit irritated.
“My mother died when I was a toddler, so I don’t have many memories of her. But thank you. It’s been almost two years since he passed.” He sipped from his glass. “His husband, Lorenzo, the love of his life, has carried on the business since then.”
“What about you?” Dad piped in. “You weren’t interested in taking over the family business?”
“I was never much of a designer. But I could style an outfit like nobody’s business. So I decided to forge my own path.” He glanced at me. “I guess Shae and I have that in common.”
I nearly choked on my drink, but Casey kicked me under the table as if to tell me to behave. “I, um…yeah, guess so.”
“I bet it’s hard to live in your father’s shadow, but it seems to me you’ve done well for yourself,” Mom said in that soothing voice she used when we had heart-to-hearts.
“I… Thank you. I have.” His response was much humbler than I’d been expecting, and I considered that as our food was served. It was as if I was dining with a different person tonight, and I didn’t know what to make of it.
“This is delicious,” Mom said once she’d sampled from her plate. “Thank you for suggesting it.”
“My pleasure,” he replied as he lifted his chopsticks.
I’d opted against using my chopsticks to make my parents feel more comfortable. And okay, so as not to embarrass myself either. But Dad seemed to marvel at Rowan’s and Casey’s expert use of them, even going so far as to study his own pair before deciding against it.
“Do you still have a relationship with Lorenzo?” Mom asked.
“Mom, these questions might be too private,” I warned around a forkful of rice.
Her eyes widened. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s all right.” Rowan reached for the bowl of edamame in the center of the table. “Not as much as I should. But I ran into him recently, and we have a lunch planned.”
My eyes sprang to his. That was news to me. I hadn’t seen it on the schedule. Not that it was any of my business. He was allowed a personal life.
As if reading my thoughts, Rowan said, “I haven’t put it on the schedule yet.”
“Oh, I, uh…” I fumbled.
“Shae keeps me very organized,” he said to my parents.
“Is that so?” Dad quirked an eyebrow.
My cheeks heated. “I’ve recently learned how good I am at that sort of thing.”
Dad chewed thoughtfully. “You did enjoy being in the office with your mother more than on the job with me.”
I looked down at my lap, my face on fire.