Page 35 of Daring to Love You
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
Lynix didn’t have time to stop by the B&B because he was headed to his brother, Thane’s house, after he left the bar. He got together with him, Wes, and a couple of their friends monthly to play poker and tonight happened to be that night. But he couldn’t leave Dorian hanging. He needed to do something.
An idea popped into his head, and he found the telephone number he was looking for, but before he could make the call, Zion nudged his arm.
Lynix glanced at him.
“If you’re serious about Dorian, you might have to find a different bar to hang out in.” Zion nodded his head toward the entrance. Lynix moaned when he spotted a woman—Willow. A friend with benefits.
“I think you’re right,” he said when Willow spotted him and headed in their direction.
Lynix hadn’t seen her since the beginning of the year and had honestly forgotten about her. She traveled for work more often than not, and that played out well for them both. They only saw each other a few times a year, with him sometimes going to wherever she was in the country. However, today he needed to let her know things had changed.
But before he dealt with Willow, he had to take care of Dorian’s problem. He shot off a quick text to a contact who could help him get Virginia off Dorian’s back—at least for today. Lynix only wished he could be there to see both their reactions.
Once that was done, he stood and dropped plenty of money on the bar to cover his and Zion’s tab.
“Good seeing you, man. I’ll be in touch.”
Zion chuckled. “Yeah, go and handle your business.”
Willow flashed him a beautiful toothpaste-white smile, and Lynix tried not to groan. It was moments like this he wished he had cleaned house, so to speak, years ago. Because if his past messed up his future, he was going to be pissed.
Chapter Sixteen
“Dorian, I’m glad I took your mother up on the invitation. She’s been telling me what an incredible cook you are, and now I see why she brags on you. These smothered pork chops are incredible.”
“Thanks, Andre. I’m glad you’re enjoying the meal.”
Dorian moved back to the oven to pull out a tray of cookies but not without glaring at her mother first. This time, the woman had gone too far.
“I told you,” Virginia said in that chipper tone she used when she knew she was in the wrong. She was leaning on the back of the chair across from where Andre was sitting. “My baby knows her way around the kitchen. I can’t tell you how much our guests rave about the meals she prepares. She really should consider opening a restaurant or at least a bakery.”
This wasn’t the first time her mother had said that. From grade school age, Dorian had loved hanging in the kitchen with her sister, Essence, and their mother. Both women were amazing cooks, but neither were interested in cooking as a profession. They enjoyed feeding people, but they each claimed working in a restaurant would take away from the joy of preparing delicious meals.
Dorian felt the same way. Cooking at the B&B was as close as she’d ever want to get to working in a restaurant. There had been a time when she considered owning a bakery, though. Unfortunately, she had no interest in running a business and all that went with it, mainly the financial part. She hated anything that had to do with accounting.
Movement to her left caught Dorian’s attention, and it was Virginia entering the oversize pantry. Good. Dorian slipped in behind her and closed the door. The room was in the back corner of the kitchen and out of sight from where the kitchen table was positioned. Meaning, Andre couldn’t see them.
“Mom, I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work,” Dorian said in a harsh whisper. “I told you, no more matchmaking.”
Virginia had the nerve to look affronted, an innocent expression on her face. Her hand went to her chest. “Baby, what do you mean?”
“Mom! You know what I mean,” Dorian whispered shouted. “You only invited him here to introduce us. How many times do I have to tell you I’m not interested? I’m not going out with anyone else you try to set me up with. Those days are over!”
“Oh, Dorian. Stop being so dramatic. I invited Andre here this evening because he hasn’t had a home cooked meal since March, when his mother moved to Florida. And I knew we’d have plenty of leftovers after the guests ate.” She shrugged. “I can’t help it if he’s showing an interest in you. But you have to admit, the young man is very handsome.”
Dorian could admit that, but she didn’t say it out loud. Andre was very nice looking. He had the prettiest greenish-brown eyes she’d ever seen and a kind smile. He was also tall, which she liked in a man, had a runner’s build, and a deep voice that was as smooth as butter.
Still, she wasn’t interested. Not just because she had a fake boyfriend, but mainly because she was done letting her mother run over her with her matchmaking schemes.
“I’m never going out with him. So if that’s what you were thinking, think again. I’m done with your—”
“I know. I know. You say that now, but you’ll change your mind when you get to know him. Now come on. It’s rude to leave him out there alone.” Her mother exited the room too quickly for Dorian to respond.
Ugh! I can’t with her!
That’s it! She’d been trying to hold off telling her about Lynix, mainly because she didn’t want to lie. It didn’t matter if Lynix insisted they weren’t exactly lying about dating. Dorian disagreed. They were being deceptive no matter how it was worded. However, right now, she didn’t care, especially if the plan worked.
