Page 20 of Boyfriend Material
The story had been so convincing she even believed it. It would be a perfect meet cute in one of her romance books. As Livie spoke, she met Theo’s gaze, sharing more about the barbecue. His expression sent a frisson of heat to her core.
His expression said he wanted to toss her on the table and eat her for breakfast. Heat rose in her cheeks, and she was having a hard time remembering that this was all just make believe.
Their explanation seemed to satisfy her family for now, but she knew it wouldn’t be the end of the questions or rudecomments. At least, it was one meal down, three to go. With Theo as her wingman, they might pull it off.
CHAPTER TEN
Theo
Breakfast with the Andersons was everything Livie had said it would be, and more. The food was excellent. He’d give her mom that. The rest, well, it was like a dreadful movie. When she’d told him about her family, he thought she’d exaggerated. It turned out to be an understatement. There were too many snarky comments from her brother-in-law and rude remarks from her brother and sister. The sad part was her parents—especially her mother—were the worst of all of them.
If Livie wasn’t almost the spitting image of her mother, Theo wouldn’t have believed Livie was hers. Helen’s meanness doused all the sweetness Livie exuded. If he hadn’t been worried about hurting Livie, he’d have told them all to shut the hell up. Belittling her dreams was bad enough, but to keep saying she was letting the family down by not supporting the family business. It boggled his mind.
The only good thing about her family were the grandchildren and Geo’s wife. Jean was amazing and had the patience of a saint. The boys were precocious and added the only enjoymentto the meal. If not for them, he wouldn’t have stopped himself from replying to some of the rude remarks made at Livie’s expense.
Theo wanted to get Livie away from her mother as quickly as possible, but he wasn’t sure how. He’d already seen how Mrs. Anderson enforced her schedule. She missed her calling and should have been a drill sergeant.
He hated not sitting with Livie for breakfast, but he’d make sure he sat with her at dinner. She kept glancing at him and chewing on her bottom lip. As the meal dragged on, he watched the joy seep out of her. Not that anyone else noticed. She only smiled when on the kids spoke to her. It broke his heart. If he hadn’t already been falling for her, he would have as he watched as she silently took all their crap.
“Delicious as always, dear,” George Anderson said as he pushed back from the table.
“Thank you.” Helen picked up his plate and stacked it with hers. “Olivia, it’s time to clear the table. Put the food on the island so we can box it up. Jean and Betsy have to deal with the kids.”
“Sure, mom.” Livie grabbed her plate and offered Theo a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“George, why don’t you take Theo on a tour of the winery while we make dinner?”
“That’s an excellent idea. Olivia, you won’t mind if I steal your boyfriend for a couple of yours, will you?”
“Not at all, but maybe you should ask Theo if he wants to go.”
“I thought I’d be able to help with dinner or whatever was needed around her,” Theo said.
“The men stay out of the kitchen,” Helen said.
“We’d only be in the way. John, Geo, are you coming with us?” George asked.
Betsy shook her head. “John needs to watch the girls until they go down for a nap. I can’t have them running around while I’m helping Mom.”
“Sorry, John, guess you’re stuck here. Maybe you can watch the boys, too.”
Theo bit the inside of his cheek to stop from laughing at the expression on John’s face.
Jean took pity on him. “Don’t worry, John. The boys will be fine with me. Right, guys? You’re going to help with the green beans, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Mommy. I’m the bestest at breaking the beans,” Jeffie said.
“Okay, that’s settled. C’mon, let’s get moving or dinner won’t be on time,” Helen commanded.
“We’ll leave in a half hour.” George nodded at Theo, then walked out of the room.
Livie was stacking plates and silverware, as everyone else had scattered.
“Are you okay with me going?” Theo asked.
Livie placed the serving spoons she’d gathered into a bowl and looked up at him. “I’ll be fine. Remember, I’m used to this.” She reached for his hand and squeezed it. “Having you here is definitely helping. They weren’t as bad as usual.”
“That was better?” Theo couldn’t believe it. No one in his family would have dreamed of treating anyone the way they’d been treating Livie.
