Savor You (Fusion #5)(31)

“I don’t know if that man exists,” I reply. “She’s a special woman.”

“Yes. She is. Recognizing that is the most important first step. I can see that you’re smitten with my girl.”

“She’s a special woman,” I repeat just as his telephone rings.

“Excuse me.”

He walks out of the room, and I can hear Mia and her mother talking in the kitchen.

“I made you a sugar-free option.” It’s her mother’s voice.

“Why would you do that?”

“In case you’re giving up sugar.”

“I never said I was giving up sugar.”

There’s a sigh.

“Also, why in the name of all that’s holy would Dad say that I have birthing hips?”

I grin, not at all ashamed that I’m listening in.

“Maybe because you do,” her mother says. “It’s okay, Mia. Having children is nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Oh Lord,” Mia mutters. “I don’t think Camden cares that I have hips.”

Doesn’t give even one fuck.

“Of course not,” her mother says. “He’s clearly very taken with you.”

“And he’s not Italian,” Mia says.

“Sorry, I had to take that,” her father says as he joins me. A moment later, the ladies come out with a delicious-looking tiramisu.

The rest of the dinner is much of the same conversation, and once the dishes are finished, Mia takes my hand and announces that we need to leave.

“Thank you for coming,” her mother says as she gives us each a kiss on the cheek. “I hope we get to see you again, Camden.”

Mia rushes me out of the house and down to my car, and after we’ve pulled away from the curb, she lets out a long, painful sigh.

“That didn’t go well,” she says.

“Why not?”

“I mean, I knew that they’d drop hints about marriage. I’m their only daughter and they’re convinced that my biological clock is ticking. I get that. But they acted as if I’ve never introduced them to a man before. It’s like, they’re shocked that I snagged a date, so they’re going to drill it home that they want me married. STAT.

“And that’s just insulting. This is the twenty-first century.”

“They love you,” I reply and take her hand in mine, kissing her knuckles. “They were pretty obvious, but it wasn’t in a malicious way. They want you to be happy.”

“I am happy.”

“Good. That’s all they need.”

“We clearly weren’t at the same dinner. I’m sorry that it was so embarrassing. I shouldn’t have invited you.”

“Look at me.” She complies. “Do I look angry or embarrassed?”

“No. Why is that?”

“Because I’m neither of those things. They are loving parents. Trust me, just feel happy that you have parents to fuss over you.”

“I’m sorry,” she says immediately. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. It just made me incredibly uncomfortable.”

“I can see that. But I’m fine, so let it roll off your back. It’s not a big deal.”

She nods and looks out the passenger window.

“I think I’ll go home tonight,” she says softly.

“We can stay at your place.”

“Maybe I’ll go alone.”

I glance at her. “Why?”

“We start filming tomorrow, and I don’t feel as good as I could. It might just be better if we spend tonight apart and regroup.”

“Is that what you want to do?”

She swallows hard and then nods, putting on a brave smile. “Yeah.”

“Well, I don’t.” I pull up to my rental house and turn to face her. “I don’t know where this is coming from. I suspect you’re still feeling embarrassed, and I’m going to say this one last time. Your parents are fine. I thought it was funny. I’m not here because they made me feel sorry for you.”

She winces.

“I’m here because I think you’re badass and I like who I am when I’m with you. So if you want to stay at your place tonight, that’s fine. But you won’t be staying alone.”

She’s quiet for a moment and then she licks her lips and meets my gaze. “Pack a bag.”





Chapter Nine





Mia


There’s a woman with a makeup brush standing to my left. “I don’t need any more makeup.”

“You do,” she insists. “Just some powder so the lights don’t make you shiny.”

I roll my eyes and stand still as she dusts my face for the fourth time in an hour.

“Are we ready?” Trevor asks us.

“Ready.” I nod and take a deep breath. I don’t love being in front of the camera, but I’m getting better at it.

Camden leans in and whispers in my ear, “You look so fucking sexy. You’ve got this.”

I glance up at him, smirk, and bump him with my hip, making him chuckle and walk back to his workstation.

“Action.”

“Don’t forget,” I begin and check the oil on the stovetop. “You don’t want the oil to be too hot. It will catch on fire.”