Page 34 of The Front Runner
“It’s just a complicated dynamic. I’m the most educated person in my family. My dad is the child of Indian immigrants who have only ever worked the family farm. My mom is this free-spirit hippie who came to pick blueberries one day, found a man instead, and just never left. I love them dearly, but we have vastly different goals in life. I think the fact I’m permanently single stresses them all out.”
“Are you?”
“Stressed?”
“No. Permanently single?” I try to keep my voice from going husky. I hadn’t even considered the prospect that Mira might not be single, and suddenly I’m feeling a little jealous for absolutely no good reason.
“No.”
My teeth clench and my heart riots against my ribs.
“I’m in a long-term relationship with Mr. Purple.”
My brow crinkles. “That’s a weird last name.”
“He’s battery powered and made of silicone. I think it would be weird if I brought him home to meet my parents.”
I bark out a laugh. I can’t help it. Her delivery is so dry and not at all ashamed. Plus, I was momentarily jealous of a dildo.Adorable.
“You could try. But I would like to be present to see it, please.”
She doesn’t laugh at the joke. “Yeah.” Her eyes take on a nervous glint as her lips roll together. “I was wondering if I could ask you for a favor.”
Ah, there it is. The reason she’s been hanging around all awkwardly. I sip the sweet coffee and realize I’m developing a taste for it. Or perhaps I’m just enjoying her attention.
“Shoot.” I’m dead curious what this favor is.
What she doesn’t comprehend is I’ll do almost anything she tells me to at this point.
Her fingers twist in her lap. “Any chance you’d be willing to use one of those dates we have left to attend a family reunion with me?”
I feel a grin spread across my lips. “You want me to meet your family?”
“Ugh.” She looks up at the roof, searching for patience. “No. But I don’t want to spend another year being treated like an old spinster who has nothing but an education to crawl into bed with at night.”
“Are you telling me you’d rather take me to your family reunion than your dildo?”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Consider yourself the front runner in that race.”
“When is it?”
“Two weeks. Not this Saturday, but next.” She nibbles at her lips nervously. As if I’d be able to tell her no.
“It would be my pleasure.” I drop a hand onto her thigh and give it a squeeze.
She pats my hand gently before standing. “Thank you.”
This is when Mira runs. When things get too comfortable, too intimate, she bolts.
“I’ll be better company than a dildo. I promise.”
She shakes her head again and swipes her kit off the ground. “Doubtful,” is her reply as she walks away.
I can’t help but appreciate the way her cargo pants hug the round globes of her ass.The things I’d do to that ass.
“Bet I can make you come harder too.”
She laughs, a girlish laugh. Not her usual throaty husk. “I’d like to see you try.”
