Page 30 of No Rings Attached
He’d also mentioned them all in our emails, but I didn’t remind him about that.
When I was interviewing for the job as Drew’s assistant, I checked out the ‘About Us’ page on their website and had seen one large group shot of employees who worked for Kingsley Jewelry. There was also a fascinating section about the Ruby River Legend and how the family honored it by creating ruby jewelry inspired by the piece from the story. But what I loved most was the photo of the Kingsley kids, their parents, and their grandparents. “That must have been tough for Grace growing up with three older brothers.”
Drew grinned. I loved watching how one corner of his mouth tipped up slightly more on one side. It was like this was his real, true,I’m happysmile. “Don’t let that fool you. She gave as good as she got.”
I didn’t doubt Grace was a spitfire from the conversations we’d had. “Okay so you’re the oldest … ” One more thing we had in common.
“Then Marc, Wyatt, and Grace. And a hundred cousins who live throughout the state.”
I giggled at his exaggeration. I had no idea what that was like. Both of my parents were only children. “Did any of you feel like youhadto go into the family business?”
“Never. Mom and Dad were very clear that we could follow our own dreams, but that they’d love to work with us. And Dad keeps saying he’s going to retire, but he still comes to work every day.”
“So it’s just you and Grace working there?”
He nodded and waited to answer after chewing a bite of his burger. “Yeah, not including some cousins. Wyatt owns the tattoo shop and Marc owns the vet clinic in town.”
“And the family dinner that’s coming up … Is that standard?” I was incredibly intrigued by this concept of family togetherness, yet absolutely terrified at the same time.
What if they allhatedme? What if Drew told them about the other night when we met?
They’d think I was a lunatic for sure.
“My parents try to host something every week. With all our work schedules, it can get tough for all of us to be there. You’re lucky this is one of those weeks.”
Lucky? The terror that had been a faint low hum now shot lightning bolts searing through my body. The sudden blanket of fear squeezed me like I was the meat in a tightly-wrapped burrito as I thought about having his whole family’s attention that night.
What if they found me lacking?
What if they didn’t think I was good enough for Drew even as a fake girlfriend?
What if …
As my thoughts spiraled, my breathing stuttered. Damn it, I needed to pull myself together before Drew noticed. I knew my voice lacked the enthusiasm I was going for, but I tried anyway. “Yay. I’ll get the full Kingsley treatment this week.”
Drew scooted his seat closer to mine, and when he rested his arm along the back of my chair I wanted to lean into him. It was like he sensed my panic and was trying to soothe me. “Hey, seriously, you’ll do great. It’ll be super low-key.”
And because we promised to be honest, I whispered my biggest fear. “I know this isn’t real, but every relationship I’ve been in ends after I meet his parents. Well, except for Kyle, but I never met his family.” That should’ve been my first red flag. I’d never seen his excuses as to why I couldn’t meet them for what they were.
What if Drew’s family decided after spending more time with me that we shouldn’t keep pretending to be together? This whole fake relationship was going to end before it began. I just knew it. My terrible track record would rear its ugly head.
And I had no doubt whatever disaster looming would remind Drew that this situation wasn’t worth the effort.
It didn’t matter that I’d met his dad already and he seemed to like me. Once we spent more time together, he’d also realize this was a mistake. And so would his mom, brothers, and sister.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and realized I was sweating. If I didn’t calm myself down soon, I’d drench this outfit.
And I flipping liked this outfit. I felt cute in it.
Even as all-encompassing as my panic was, Drew’s scowl was so prominent I couldn’t miss it. “You’re kidding right? You meeting a guy’s family couldn’t have been why you broke up.”
I shook my head. That was sweet that he didn’t believe it. “It’s true.”
His tone was low and laced with anger. “What would ever make you think that?”
I looked away, locking my gaze on an animatronic fish mounted to a plaque that said, “Bass Bass Baby.” I couldn’t bear to watch Drew’s face as he realized he’d hitched his horse to the wrong wagon. “I’ve had four actual relationships. The first one’s mother told me I wasn’t good enough for her son and proceeded to list all the reasons why during dinner. It was utterly humiliating. He avoided me after that and officially dumped me three weeks later. I thought the next family liked me, but after he brought me home, they called him and said they didn’t think someone so uptight would fit in with their carefree bunch. He stopped calling and sent a text saying I was too much and his parents agreed.”
“Holy shit.”
