Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 104288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
But Tuck curls an arm around my middle, making it very clear that he’s more than my boss, and I’m more than his nanny.
I see the apprehension flicker in Dad’s eyes. Mom’s expression tightens.
“Y’all have a nice ride over, I hope?” Tuck asks casually.
Dad clears his throat. “Real nice ride, yes.”
Mom is looking pointedly at me. She clearly wants an explanation. And even though I feel like a lead weight is sitting on my chest, I have to give her one.
I have to tell her the truth, even if that means letting her down.
“So.” I laugh nervously as I glance at Tuck. “Tuck is going to be joining us for dinner. We’re, um, together.”
Mom and Dad exchange a look.
Mom coughs. “Together, as in—”
“Mark, Leigh, I really like you daughter. So much so that I asked her to be my girlfriend.” Tuck pulls me closer. “I don’t think either of us expected this to happen, but I’m glad it did.”
My parents are silent as they look wide-eyed from me to Tuck and back again.
A pregnant pause if there ever was one. I cringe inwardly, my face going hot.
“Maren has seemed happier on the phone lately,” Dad finally says.
Mom nods slowly. “I’ve noticed that too.”
“That’s because I have been happier,” I manage. “Tuck does a good job of making sure I’m well taken care of.”
“Speaking of.” Tuck gives me a squeeze. “Should we walk over to dinner? Maren, I know you probably need something to eat.”
I paste on a smile. “Let’s do it.”
I expect the walk over to the restaurant to be awkward as hell. And it is, to the point that it makes me literally sweat. But Tuck does a good job of maintaining the flow of conversation. He asks my parents about their work, and when they ask about his, he points out homes his company built and the land they plan on developing.
Mom and Dad are clearly impressed, peppering Tuck with questions. Tuck doesn’t throw his wealth in peoples’ faces, or the fact that he has a big job at a wildly successful company. But it’s obvious he’s an important guy who’s involved in pretty much every construction site and development project on the island.
His competence, his knowledge and the calm, easy way he talks about his work, is mind-bogglingly hot. Apparently my parents are not immune to his charms either. By the time Tuck opens the door for us at Stede’s, Mom and Dad are chatty, smiles on their faces. As she steps through the door, Mom looks at me and mouths wow.
I know, I mouth back.
“Tuck! Maren!” Gina, Stede’s hostess, greets us with big smiles. “We’re so glad y’all are here. We have the chef’s table ready. Y’all are in for a treat tonight.”
I glance at Tuck, my heart swooping. “Chef’s table?”
“I know the owner,” he replies with a shrug. “I called in a favor.”
Of course he did.
Sliding a stack of menus off the hostess stand, Gina says, “The chef’s table is a special experience that books out months in advance. Y’all will do a six-course tasting menu, complete with wine pairing.”
“Wow.” Mom says it out loud this time.
Dad looks at me and grins. “Glad I came hungry.”
Gina leads us to the best table in the restaurant. It’s a high-top that overlooks the open kitchen on one side and the marina on the other. Candles glimmer in mercury glass votives, and each place setting is crowded with crystal wine glasses.
“Well, this is inviting,” Mom says.
I squeeze Tuck’s hand. Thank you.
His eyes are warm as he squeezes back. You’re welcome.
Tuck and I sit on one side of the table, Mom and Dad on the other. When the server comes to fill our glasses with the first drink of the evening, a sparkling wine from Italy, my stomach bottoms out.
It’s going to be very obvious very soon that I’m pregnant. Ordinarily, I’d never turn down a fancy drink at a fancy restaurant—a fact of which Mom and Dad are very much aware, having treated me to dinner out when I lived with them in Wilmington.
Tuck must know what I’m thinking, because he puts a hand on my thigh underneath the table.
Dad picks up his champagne flute. “So how long have y’all been dating?”
“Well.” Tuck clears his throat as he cuts me a glance. “I think we both knew something was there the moment we met.”
Nodding, I roll my lips between my teeth. “I had a crush on him from day one, yes. And then we just started hanging out with Katie together—Tuck makes us dinner every night—and we became friends pretty quickly.”
Mom smiles as she sips her champagne. “That sounds nice.”
“We had a lot of fun together.” Tuck’s eyes dance when they catch on mine. “Still do. Maren’s taught Katie and I some killer cheer moves.”
“Did she?” Dad asks. “I’m glad to see that side of you come out again, Mare. We miss watching you.”