“We’re very happy,” Kinsley says as her parents glare at her.
“Oh, we’re definitely happy,” I say. “I plan to do whatever it takes to put a smile on Kinsley’s face.”
For the next few weeks, anyway.
10
Kinsley
“I am so sorry,” Cason says when we step outside.
I glance up at him and frown as he shakes his head, incredulously. “You’re sorry. What do you have to be sorry about? You did well in there, and I’m the one who should be sorry for subjecting you to them.”
“Kins,” he says. “They’re your parents, I get it, but man, they really don’t respect your choices. I’m sorry for that.”
I glance at my feet. “I know. I’m a huge disappointment to them.”
He touches my chin and lifts it an inch. “Are you disappointed in yourself?”
“No.”
“Remember this. A lot of people won’t see your worth. Just make sure you’re not one of them.”
My heart beats a little faster. “Thanks, Cason. The truth is, I love what I do, but…” I put my hand on my stomach, to soothe the ache that always flares after spending time with my parents. “It hurts that they care more about my image and how it affects the family, than my well-being.” A car door closes, and I briefly look away. “You don’t have to go through with the reception. I’ll figure out a way for us to get out of it.”
“Like hell. I’m going. I’m not going to let them get the better of us by not showing and giving them something else to throw back in your face.”
My gaze flies back to his. “Cason—”
“Are we about to have our second argument, Mrs. Kinsley Elizabeth Palmer-Callaghan?” he asks playfully.
I laugh. “No. I’m tapping out. You always seem to get your way somehow.”
“I plan to have my way with you later. But I just want to say, let’s go through with it, let’s charm the pants off your parents and their friends. We’ll show them how happy you are with your decisions and the direction of your life.”
The thing is, I actually am happy. Happy with my food truck, my plans for a restaurant. Happy when I’m with Cason. But I’d be wise to remember what this is and what this isn’t.
“Want to see something?” I ask and his gaze drops to my chest. The heat in his eyes trickles through me, and awakens all my girly parts.
“Ah, yeah. Did you not hear me when I said I plan to have my way with you?”
I whack him. “I’m not talking about my boobs, Cason.”
“Jeez, is that all you think about, Kinsley?” He feigns exasperation. “I wouldn’t have married you if I’d known you were a sex addict.”
“Puh-lease, that would have gotten you to the altar faster,” I shoot back.
He laughs. “Okay, what do you want to show me? Although nothing will live up to my expectations now.”
“How about the space I want for my restaurant? Will that be a good second?”
“Actually, yeah. I’d love to see it.”
“Let’s head to Pike’s Place.”
We hurry to his car, and the sun is low on the horizon as we drive downtown and find parking. The market is closing up, vendors putting their fares away for another day by the time we arrive.
“How about we hop on the Seattle Wheel. Take a look at the city from the sky.”