Page 81 of Possess

Allyson hid a grin. Zeke’s tone was playful, not angry.

“Come sit down.” Violetta pulled her toward the sofa, but luckily Allyson was able to maneuver herself to the big soft chair. She could imagine being between Violetta and her husband. Too close. She needed space to take this all in.

“Do you want something to drink, Allyson?” Zeke asked.

“Beer, please.” She wanted something stronger. Maybe later, after his parents left. If she survived.

“I’ll have coffee dear, and so will your father.”

Quincy was shaking his head, and Zeke laughed. “Be right back.”

Allyson wasn’t sure how she felt about being alone with his parents, but then she wasn’t alone. With the open floor plan, Zeke could see and hear them from the kitchen.

“So Allyson, how long have you known our son?” Violetta asked.

Allyson nibbled at her lower lip. “I’ve known Zeke since right after he started his construction company.”

Violetta’s eyes widened and laughter floated from the kitchen. “This is no laughing matter, young man.” She glared at her son. “You’ve known each other for over four years, and we’re just now finding out about her?”

“Mom, think about how you phrased the question. Yes, Allyson and I have known each other professionally for that long. We recently started seeing each other on a personal basis.” Zeke carried in two mugs and handed one to his mother, the other to his father, who took a quick sip.

“Thank you, son,” his father said with a grin.

“You work in construction, Allyson?” Violetta asked.

“No, ma’am.” Allyson took the mug of beer from Zeke with a smile. He knew she’d drink direct from the can or bottle, so it must be because of his parents that he poured a mug for her. “I work for the city.”

“Which is how we met,” Zeke said, taking the chair across from Allyson.

“What took you so long to ask her out?” His mother admonished him. “She’s a beautiful woman. Why did you dally around? She could have married someone else while you waited to make up your mind.”

Allyson choked on a sip of beer at Violetta’s words.

“Now, Violetta,” Quincy started. “Don’t scare Allyson off with talk like that.”

Zeke’s mother sat back with a huff and stared at her son. “You are to bring her to breakfast tomorrow.”

Zeke stared at Allyson, and she glanced at his parents, who were talking to each other. She raised her hand to her face, enough to hide her profile from his parents, and stuck her tongue out at him. A smile overtook his lips. “Maybe you should ask Allyson.”

Violetta turned her attention back to her, and Allyson sighed. Yes, she had been making up excuses not to go. But what choice did she have now? This wasn’t an easy decision for her.

Allyson glanced at Zeke, who was staring at her with a knowing look. She squirmed in her seat. She wasn’t about to break his mother’s heart. “Of course he’s bringing me. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Very good.” Violetta clapped her hands as if she’d accomplished what she came to do.

“Honey, we should be going and let these two kids do whatever they were planning,” Quincy said, standing up.

Allyson’s face turned hot, and she knew she was blushing to the roots of her hair. Zeke chuckled, and she wrinkled her nose at him.

“Of course.” Violetta stood.

Zeke and Allyson followed suit, and they all trooped to the front door, saying their goodbyes. She and Zeke stood in the open doorway until his parents’ car was out of sight.

“Zeke, did you have to throw me under the bus? Really?” Allyson stomped back into the house. Without shoes on, her steps didn’t make much noise. She was angry at Zeke and at herself as well. Now she was committed to breakfast tomorrow with his parents.

Her tummy cramped. What if they asked about her parents? Her childhood? How much could she get away with not saying? Why did it matter so much? She didn’t have to talk about it unless she wanted to.

“You’re upset. And you’ve been tense since you got here. What aren’t you telling me, Allyson?”

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