Page 36 of Mr. Aster
I must’ve sat there shell-shocked, blinking more times than I could count, before I looked at Darcy, who was sighing like a cartoon character in love.
“Well,” she ran her hand over the top of my leg, “I think he’s just so happy to know his son is on the right track again. He’s been dreadfully worried about you.”
“Is that so?” I arched an eyebrow at her, removed her hand from my leg, and brought it to my lips for a kiss. Her internal cringe could’ve registered on the Richter Scale. “So, you are sure about this? They plan to come next week?”
“Yes,” she said, discreetly pulling her hand from mine.
“Well, if that is the case, there’s something I must do,” I glanced over at Tina and Billy, who looked like they were reveling in an adorable love story. If they only knew. “I must ask your permission tonight, Mr. Burke?—”
“Marriage?” Her mom interrupted, clasping a hand over her heart as Darcy sucked in a breath.
“Oh, I think that’s jumping the gun, lover,” Darcy said through gritted teeth.
“No, no,” I immediately stopped further comments from the romance factory onthatidea. “We’re not quite there yet, but I wouldn’t feel right staying and sleeping in your daughter’s room—starting tonight—without your permission.”
“Tonight?” Darcy said with fear in her voice.
“What? Oh, don’t be silly. Darcy is an adult. We’re fine with it,” Billy said, waving his hands like he was shooing a fly. “And after Darcy told us that is how all this blossomed in the first place, why would you want to keep the relationship hidden and pretend you haven’t been staying in her room the whole time? I hope you haven’t been hiding it because of the room remodel we did for you; you don’t need to worry about that.”
“The remodel wasn’t for nothing, Dad,” Darcy smiled. “Margot is very particular, and it’s my hope that, if it is good enough for Sebastian, it’ll be good enough for his mom. We won’t know that answer until Monday when Mr. and Mrs. Aster arrive, will we?”
“I guess we won’t,” I answered, completely confused about what was happening.
I had no idea if Darcy was lying just to piss me off or what. All I knew was that my dad was not abubblyman and nothing on earth could’ve tempted him to bring Margot Aster to this fleabag.
Right?
“Oh, also,” she said as I cut into the steak Antonio had served, “Mr. Juniper is excited to meet you. He said he cannot believe you’re willing to sit down with himandmefor an exclusive interview about you. This is going to behuge.”
I slowly chewed my steak and stared at her victorious smile, “Isthatso?”
“It is,” she shook her head. “It’s crazy how you and I were justspeakingabout fate, life, and research for business the other night. It’s like everything is working together in a way I never believed possible.”
“Well, that will have to be put on hold, cupcake. We’ve got dinner plans and public events to run before we can sit down with Mr. Juniper,” I said, knowing what she was planning. She wanted my story now, so she didn’t risk losing it later.
“I think it’s so cute how you call her cupcake,” Tina said.
I glanced at Tina, then looked back to Darcy to ensure my tone and words were met with keen understanding.
“Well, your father was fine with it.”
“I’m sure he was,” I rolled my eyes.
“Why wouldn’t he be?” Darcy pressed.
“Because he doesn’t care to have his name?—”
“Oh, but he does,” she said too sweetly, causing concern.
“He does?” I returned flatly.
“Well, it’s mainly because your brother, Mark, has done a number on the family name. That’s why he’s willing to allow it, so everything gets all cleared up.” I froze while she turned to her parents, “Sadly, people are starting to judge the Aster family, and Margot is at her limits with it. I never thought I’d be so well received by the Aster family, but I really was. Sebastian’s father was happy to know that I could publish something that would make all the Asters and their lineage shine.” She looked at me, “Get them back on top? You know, like you’rehelpingmy family get back on top?”
Mother fucker.
She wasn’t lying. She found a weak spot in my parents and pounced on the opportunity to take advantage of it.
“Right.”
