Page 16 of Duty Became Desire

I glanced up as the traffic moved and then sighed.

Sitting in the hell hole you call traffic.

With that, the phone buzzed in my hand, and I connected it to my Bluetooth.

“You’re still in town, then?”

“Well, hello you too, Alec.”

He laughed and I smiled even more. What the hell was going on?

“Sorry. Hello Skylar, having fun sitting in traffic?”

“Hell no, it sucks!”

“That it does. I’m glad my school is closer to my house, or I’d have more headaches and road rage.”

“The world does not need you to be more dickish, thank you very much.”

“Rude, just when I was going to ask you if you were busy this weekend to help keep me company.”

I shouldn’t be intrigued, but I couldn’t help it. Something in his tone had me sitting up a little straighter and demanded to know what he was hinting at.

“Keep you company?”

He sighed, and I could picture him running his hand over his face, a sheepish look there. Why that was, I wasn’t sure, but I rather liked it.

“Yeah. So, um, my sisters, how I both love and hate them, noticed the band that’s on my finger.” With that, I glanced at the solid gold circle wrapped around my own, curious why I hadn’t taken it off. Or why he hadn’t either.

“Go on.”

“And I got the third degree. It came out that I got married and now my parents, who are the sweetest ever, are demanding to meet you. They’re having a cookout Saturday and want you to come over.”

“Oh.” Of all the things he could have told me, tossed at me, or flung my way, that was not it. Didn’t his parents know this was a sham of a marriage? That it wasn’t real?

“That is, if you haven’t gotten the papers yet?”

“Uh, no. Haven’t had a moment. Been nonstop.” I moved another few inches on the road, my mind jumbled. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

“No fucking way. But when you meet my family, you’ll see why telling them no is just about impossible. And believe me, I’m a teacher. Impossible is not in my vocabulary, but with this lot, it just happens. So, will you be so accommodating, wife?”

I was not ready for the way that rolled out of his mouth and the way it twisted up my insides. Sure, reading it was nice, but hearing it? That brought a whole new level of longing through me, and I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not.

I blinked, seeing the traffic move again, a bit faster this time, and flowed with it, my mind still unable to fully process his words.

“Skylar, you okay?”

“Uh, yeah, sorry. Almost hit someone merging into my lane. So, your parents want to meet me. Do they have any clue we’re like oil and water?”

“Oh, they know. They also kind of like the fact that you put me in my place once. So, what do you say? I promise to be on my best behavior. And I’ll even pick you up, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”

I didn’t know what kind of torture I was into but for some reason, I just didn’t have the heart to tell him no. I saw a glimpse of this life, something I never thought I would, and I liked it. And sue me, I wanted to know more.

“Sure, why not. What do I need to bring?”

“Not a thing. My mom would have my hide if I had a guest bring something.”

I snorted to myself over that. I had no doubt that this was a test. If I didn’t bring something, it would be an automatic failurefor me and I refused to allow that to happen. Why I was so strong on that fact when it would be better if I did, I wasn’t sure.

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