Chapter 25: Uncomfortable Family Dinner

JAMIE

Mason Knight was enjoying his meal, and I was enjoying watching him.

He had convinced me to bail on Thursday family dinner by treating me to dinner at a restaurant called Artusi.

Mason glanced up at me and smiled. “What are you smiling at?”

“I was just admiring how cute you look when you eat. You look like you’re enjoying that.”

“Yet again we’ve worked up an appetite. You’ve been keeping me busy.” He winked at me. “And I think we both know I’m a lot more than just cute.”

“All the other women might not have seen the softer side to you. But I have. You, Mason Knight, can be very cute, charming, and kind when you want to be.”

He leaned back in his chair with a mischievous smirk.

“I try. For you. For the exception to my rule.”

For the exception to his rule. How far would he go out of his comfort zone?

This is more than just sex, it’s obvious. It’s like we’re in a relationship without using the word.

I rested my elbow on the table. “What’s your favorite color?”

He chuckled. “Are you serious?”

“Completely serious. I want to know more about you, since we’re doing what we’re doing.” I sighed. “It’s just simple questions and answers! Relax.”

“I like red.”

Of course he does.

“I like blue, like a navy. My favorite flowers are lilies. I hope to have a garden full of them someday.”

I picked up my wineglass and drank.

“What’s yours?”

He chuckled. “I’m a man. I don’t like flowers. It’s not very masculine of me to have a favorite flower.”

Just as I thought. Asking a man about flowers is like threatening to chop his balls off.

“Come off it, don’t you think that’s an outdated mindset? It’s all right for a man to have a favorite flower.”

He still pouted. I rolled my eyes.

“Well, you might not like them, but there must be one that you appreciate for its beauty.”

He sighed. “All right, roses, I guess. Those were always a favorite of my mum’s.”

He refrained from eye contact and glanced around the room at all the other couples eating and chatting at their tables.

I extended my hand across the table and placed it on his.

“You can talk to me about her. About anything you want.”

He looked at me before moving forward in his chair. “Jamie…I’m not…”

“Sweetheart!”

My mum was making her way over to our table.

Crap!

My heart started to pound as I watched the disaster waiting to happen walk toward me and the boss I’d been screwing.

What the hell are they doing here? In ~this~ restaurant of all places?

“Mum and Dad!” I stood from my chair feeling a bit shaky. Not as uncomfortable as Mason, though, I was sure. “What are you two doing here?”

Mum pulled back from the hug.

“Well, you weren’t the only one that canceled on family dinner. Something came up with your brother. I persuaded your father to take me out instead.”

My dad hugged me, but his eyes were on Mason.

Dear Lord, save me.

“I see your reason for canceling.” Dad looked at me and then back at Mason. “This must be your boss.”

Of course he’s made it completely embarrassing.

How am I going to introduce him? I can’t bloody well say, “This is my boss that I’m fucking”!

Or my boyfriend…

Even if that’s what we’re acting like.

“Yes, this is Mason Knight.”

I looked in Mason’s direction and was pleased to see him standing for introductions.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Harris. You’ve raised a wonderful daughter.”

Mason extended his hand and shook Mum’s before moving on to Dad’s.

“Oh, let's join you for dinner.” My mother looked at Mason. “You don’t mind, do you?”

~God, no!~

“No, not at all, join us,” Mason replied before sitting back down. I could tell how uncomfortable he was.

Everyone was getting seated when the waiter came by with menus for my parents. Mason and I had mostly finished our meal.

He seemed to be eating at a faster pace now my parents had joined us.

“Love, I talked to Ryan’s mum yesterday and she mentioned that he’s not doing too well.”

My mother took a few sips of her chardonnay.

“What do you mean he’s not doing too well? What’s wrong with him?”

“He got sacked last week, supposedly showing up late and smelling of alcohol.”

She tilted her head to the side.

“Honestly I think he could still be torn up about what happened between you two.”

I glanced at Mason before looking back at her.

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that, but things just weren’t working out. We weren’t right for each other.”

“And you and your boss are the perfect match?” Dad grumbled.

This is it, then. “Dad, please.”

“Someone’s got to say it.”

My father looked across the table at Mason, not bothering to hide anything.

“My daughter is a smart young woman with a big heart, Mr. Knight. I don’t want to see her hurt. I know what sort of man you are, I know your type well. Hurting her is exactly what you’ll do.”

Oh shit, he’s just gone and done it!

***

I followed Mason out of the elevator and into his apartment. The place was in darkness, just the way we’d left it a couple of hours previously.

He walked ahead, throwing his suit jacket down on the couch with a sigh of frustration.

I walked toward the kitchen island and watched him pull a beer bottle from the fridge, pop the cap, and drink.

He hadn’t said a word the whole ride home.

I guess why would he after my father grilled him during dinner.

Dad was curious to know what his intentions were, but we didn’t stick around long enough for him to explain.

“Are you okay?” I asked. It was the farthest I’d felt from him in days.

“I’m fine, Jamie. I just need a minute.” Mason turned his back to me and placed his palms flat on the countertop.

“I’m so sorry about my dad. I didn’t know my parents were going to be there—”

“I understand his reasons. You’re his daughter and he’s just trying to do his job and look out for you.”

He turned and looked at me.

“Everything he said was true. I am going to hurt you, Jamie. I’ll hurt you if you expect more than what I can give. I don’t do parents, or family dinners. That’s not me. If that’s what you need, then I’m not your guy.”

Oh boy.

“So,” I said slowly, “if I tell you I want more, it means that this thing is over between us.”

He nodded.

He was just about to open up to me before my parents interrupted us.

I’m okay with just seeing him as long as he’s seeing only me.

If he’s afraid of labels right now, I can live with that.

“Okay. I can do that, then.”

I was too involved to pull back now. I’d had a taste and I couldn’t stop.

“As long as you’re just seeing me, I can be okay with it.”

“Just you. No one else.”

He came and kissed me, just as hot and passionate as always.

I believed him. I believed there would be no one else. I also believed he would change his mind, given the time.

My phone chimed in the pocket of my coat. I broke the kiss and pulled it out.

“Crap, it’s my dad. I’ve got to go.”

“My driver will take you.”

“I’ll call you afterward.” I kissed him again before walking toward the elevator.

***

My parents’ kitchen was a war zone.

My father was getting all his feelings out in the open after our couples’ dinner.

My mother was trying to talk him down.

Jake had decided to show up for leftovers after a long day and was now getting some entertainment to go with his meal.

He still managed to put in the odd joke at my expense while stuffing his face.

“You can’t be serious about getting involved with a man like that,” Dad shouted yet again. “He doesn’t respect women. You know that.”

“Dad,” I pleaded, “I don’t want to hear it. I can decide this for myself. And I know him. I know he’s not going to hurt me.”

“You work for him, Jamie. Your mother and I thought you knew better than to get involved with a man you work for. You’ve told us yourself what he’s like. And you don’t know him as well as you think you do.”

“He’s different with me.” I folded my arms.

“He’s not, sweetheart. He’s not someone you can rely on. I don’t want you seeing him again.”

“Clay,” cut in Mum, “you can’t do that. You may not be happy about it, but you can’t stop her doing as she chooses.”

“I’m trying to stop her making a mistake.” Dad glared in Jake’s direction as he started to laugh.

I’ve had enough. I’ve heard enough.

I grabbed my coat and bag from the kitchen chair.

“You need to get a grip and realize that I’m an adult, Dad. I don’t need you to protect me, and you can’t protect me from everything.”

I was livid as I left the house. I don’t remember what was shouted after me.

He can’t tell me what to do.

No one can.