Page 51 of Claiming Her Cougar
“Mom’s trying to play matchmaker.”
“I don’t think you need me to do anything, Liam,” Mom teases.
Crap.
“You and Mallory?Dating?”Dad looks at me with a furrowed brow.
“No, we’re not dating.”Technically, I’m telling the truth.
“Good.There’s nothing against it in the company handbook, but you’re an executive, so there are appearances to be considered.And Mallory’s an outstanding employee.We don’t want to lose her if things don’t work out.”
“What do you mean, if things don’t work out?Why wouldn’t they?”
Mom and Dad share a glance.
Dad smirks.“If you’re not dating, what does it matter?”
My jaw clenches.“It doesn’t,” I mutter into my taco.
“Oh, Mike and Holly went to law school with Mallory’s dad,” Mom says.“Robert?”
“Yeah!I remember him.Very serious.”Dad shakes his head.“Crazy how connected we all are.”
“Hmm,” I say around a bite of my third taco.My best strategy will be to keep my mouth full of food so I can’t say anything.
My parents chat about Mallory’s uncle’s tree farm and how Dad will put the lights on their tree tomorrow, but we won’t decorate it until Kennie comes home on Wednesday.
Finishing my fourth taco, I rise from the table and grab my plate.“Dinner was delicious, Mom.Thank you.I need to do laundry and handle some email, so going back to my place.”I rinse my plate and put my beer bottle in the recycling bin.“Have a great night,” I call to my parents as I let myself out the patio door.
Laughter reaches me as I pull the door closed.I know my parents know I’m trying to avoid discussing Mallory.They aren’t stupid, but there’s nothing to discuss yet.
Entering my home, I consider what Dad said.I know Dad likes Mallory a lot.Any reservations about us being together aren’t personal.If my father and uncle are her bosses, and they like her and appreciate her work, then I don’t see how us being together would impact her career.It shouldn’t matter.We don’t really work together.I have nothing to do with her job.Hopefully, spending time together will show her it doesn’t matter and there’s no reason to hide things.
I can’t wait for us to hang out with Logan and Daphne tomorrow night.I think the more we hang out with an established couple, the more Mallory will see we can have the same thing and relent on just being friends with benefits.If we ever get to the benefits.I’m okay being patient, but it’s like the universe is conspiring against us.
20
MALLORY
Why dothings keep going wrong for us?Just once, okay, at least once, I’d like to have sex with Liam and be able to bask in the afterglow.Or at least not have someone a few feet away, waiting for a break in the action to talk to me.I thought it was embarrassing with Ashley in Vegas.It’s a billion times worse with my mother in my house.Ashley never changed my diaper, and we won’t wear matching pajamas on Christmas morning.
I’m making a cup of full-strength black tea.May as well add some caffeine to the situation.My phone dings to indicate a text, and I pick it up, hoping it’s Liam.It’s not.
Mom: Leaving the tree farm now.
Me: Okay.Want me to start anything for dinner?
Mom: Raided the concession stand.Supposed to rain tomorrow.
It is?That will kill the plan to hang out there tomorrow night.I hope Mom’s wrong.I’m excited about tomorrow now, looking forward to wandering the farm with Liam in the moonlight.
I wonder if he has plans for New Year’s.He’s probably going to a club or a casino.Hanging out in the woods around a fire, getting drunk among the unsold Christmas trees couldn’t compete.
Me: Sounds good.
Mom: I snagged enough for your…friend.
Groaning, I tilt my head back and gaze up at the ceiling.She’s not going to ignore this.I didn’t really expect her to, but it is the season for miracles and everything.
