Page 11 of Daring to Love You
He and Lynix had similar builds with his dad being an inch or two taller with salt and pepper hair neatly cut and a full, perfectly trimmed beard covering his face. Dressed in a black shirt and pants with a lightweight tweed jacket, he looked more relaxed than Lynix had ever seen him. Maybe it was true. Maybe he really was trying to retire.
“I’m glad you’re here, Son,” his dad continued, surprising Lynix by referring to him asSon. Usually his father preferred terms like,idiot, pain in the ass, bane of my existence, when it came to Lynix. “Did Karsten tell you that he and I want to talk to you and Marisela after dinner?” he asked of Mr. Baldwin.
“Weston,” Lynix’s mom said in a warning tone. “Not tonight. We’re going to have a nice meal together, and there will be no talk about business… or marriages.”
Lynix’s hackles went up. So he was right, Marisela and her father were up to something, but he wasn’t about to stick around and find out what that something was.
“Sorry, Mom. I can’t stay,” Lynix said, and he didn’t miss the disappointment in her eyes.
His father threw up his hands and scowled. “There he goes running like the punk ass he is,” he said, disgust dripping from his words.
And that was the father Lynix remembered. From what he could tell, the only thing that had changed was his style of dress.Other than that, he was still the self-serving, controlling, bastard he’d always been.
“I raised you to be a strong, respectable man,” his father continued. “Yet, you continue to embarrass me and disappoint your mother. We have guests here, and Marisela came to see you. You’re not going anywhere.”
Lynix snorted, then started laughing. He couldn’t help it. The old man actually thought he could tell him what to do, and he’d listen. Those days were long gone, and it was time he reminded him. But not wanting to embarrass or disappoint his mother any more than his leaving would do, Lynix didn’t speak the words that were dangling on the edge of his tongue.
No, he’d save them for his father’s ears only. Because whatever he and Mr. Baldwin were up to, Lynix was sure he’d hear about it sooner or later. When that happened, he’d be ready to shoot it down without remorse.
He approached his mother who was moving toward him. Reaching for her hand, he squeezed it and kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry, Mom. I can’t stay.”
She released a long breath and nodded. “I know, and I’ll walk you out.”
Lynix knew his brothers probably heard everything from wherever they were, and he’d talk to them later. Once he and his mother were outside, she pulled the door closed behind her.
“I’m sorry, honey. I’ll be having a long talk with your father. I don’t know what he and Karsten have planned, but I’ll make sure they keep you out of it.”
She might try, but knowing his father, he’d still find a way to rope Lynix into something. He would try it more with his brothers if he could get away with it. He definitely couldn’t insist on them being a part of some stupid marriage scheme since Wes was married, Thane was engaged, and Omari had a longtime girlfriend. That only left Lynix.
Instead of telling his mother that she probably couldn’t stop whatever his father had in motion, he said, “Thanks, Mom, and sorry I can’t stay.”
“It’s okay, but did I hear you say you were dating someone?”
Dammit.She wasn’t supposed to hear that. Hell, he wasn’t sure why he’d said it in the first place. Yet here he was now, having to explain himself. He could lie, but his conscience wouldn’t let him. Instead, he gave her a half-truth that he hoped to be true sometime in the very near future.
“Yes, I’m seeing someone, but we’re taking it slow.”
The smile on his mother’s face could’ve lit up Times Square during a blackout. She never tried to push him and his brothers into relationships, nor did she demand they give her grandchildren, but he knew that’s what she wanted.
“That’s wonderful. I hope you’re planning to bring her to the fundraiser gala next month. Or better yet, you can bring her by here so I can meet her,” she said, and he didn’t miss the hopefulness in her voice.
Instead of saying yes or no, he kissed her on her cheek and said, “We’ll see.”
Now all he had to do was get Dorian to come around to his way of thinking.
Chapter Six
Dorian pulled the chicken parmesan from the oven and sat the pan on the counter. Her job at her parents’ bed and breakfast was to cook the meals, as well as prepare desserts and snacks for the guests. Tonight, along with the entree, she had made pasta, baked homemade bread, and made a large Caesar salad to go with the meal.
She opened the door of the second oven and peeked at the apple pies baking. A few more minutes and everything should be done.
Years ago, after her parents opened the B&B, Dorian never imagined she’d one day work alongside them. However, over a year ago, despite plans of one day becoming an executive at the company, she had walked away from her marketing job. She hadn’t wanted to leave, but the drama she’d been caught up in while there forced her hand. It turned out that leaving and joining her parents at their quaint B&B had been the best decision she could’ve made.
She had always enjoyed cooking and baking, so working there was a good fit. Her parents had once feared none of their children would want to keep the B&B going after they retired,but Dorian was looking forward to overseeing the business someday.
“Baby, you should go ahead and get changed so you don’t be late for your date,” Virginia Priestly said as she strolled into the kitchen carrying several rolls of paper towel and a large pack of napkins.
She stored them in the pantry. When she came back out, she was putting on a red apron over her colorful sundress. Though her mother was in her sixties, her flawless dark skin, stylish updo, and welcoming smile made her look years younger. Her vibrant personality also helped with that and made her perfect for hosting guests at the B&B.
