Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake (A Brush with Love, #2)(73)

“Cool cool cool cool cool,” Lizzie said, her leg starting to bounce. Rake gave it a gentle squeeze then turned the video back on.

“Mum, Dad, I’d like to finally introduce you to Lizzie.”

There was a racket of noise as a jolly middle-aged couple on the screen leaned in and started speaking over each other, the commotion sounding like sunshine and softness.

“Shut it, Peter. Let me go first,” the woman said, shooting a scolding look at the man before turning back to the screen. “Oh, you darling girl, it’s so nice to finally put a face to a name. I’m Leanne, Rake’s mum. He’s been telling us so many things about you.”

Lizzie shot Rake a horrified glance, and Leanne and Peter let out a hearty chuckle.

“Wonderful things, I assure you,” Leanne said, still grinning at the camera.

“And I’m Peter,” Rake’s dad said, waving at the camera.

Lizzie waved back, a genuine smile breaking across her face. “It’s so great to meet you.”

Peter and Leanne launched into conversation, asking Lizzie about the pregnancy and how she was feeling before shifting to questions about her baking. They cackled with laughter when Lizzie hesitantly explained the erotic pastry side business Bernadette had originally hired her for.

“What I wouldn’t give to take a bite out of one of your delicious arses,” Leanne said, clapping with glee. “What a riot.”

“You should come visit!” Lizzie said without thinking. Rake shot her a surprised glance, the corners of his mouth kicking up in a soft smile.

Leanne and Peter were quiet for a moment, looking at her. “You wouldn’t mind?” Leanne asked at last. “Because we’d absolutely love to make the trip. Obviously, we’ll wait until you feel settled, and we’d hate to be a bother with a baby on the way, but—”

“I’d love to meet you in person,” Lizzie said, meaning it.

“Well,” Leanne said, she and Peter glancing at each other softly before beaming into the camera. “We won’t take up any more of your time,” Leanne added, flapping her hand toward the camera. “Rake, you take good care of her.”

“Of course,” Rake said, waving. “I’ll talk to you soon.” After a few more seconds of prolonged goodbyes, Rake shut his laptop.

“I know they’re a lot,” he said, turning to Lizzie, “but—”

“They’re wonderful,” Lizzie said, nestling deeper into the couch. “Which makes what I’m about to ask you suck even more.”

Rake’s smile dropped. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

Lizzie huffed out a laugh. “I have to drive up to my parents’ this weekend. It’s their anniversary, and my brother and his wife have organized this big bash. I’m making the cake.”

“And?” Rake prompted after a moment.

“Andddd,” Lizzie said, plucking at the couch. “My sister-in-law said I could bring someone if I want, and I should probably check in with my mom and she’ll probably say no, but if you want—I mean, if you’d be interested in getting out of the city and maybe—”

“Of course I’ll go with you, Birdy,” Rake said, getting up and moving to the kitchen. “Just let me know what time we need to leave and what I should pack. I’m excited to meet your family.”

“Oooh, I’m gonna stop you right there, buddy,” Lizzie said, sitting up on her knees and turning to watch him over the back of the couch. “This will not be a joyous Family Stone lovefest. This will be a stuffy and passive-aggressive weekend, to say the least. And if they find out I’m pregnant … God save us.”

“You haven’t told them?”

“No. I don’t tell my family anything if I can help it.”

Rake looked at her, crossing his arms and leaning back against the counter. “If you’re dreading it so much, why go?”

“Because some things you have to do. Suffer in the name of character development or whatever.” Rake opened his mouth to say something, but she cut him off. “I really better check with Queen Claire Blake that it’s even okay I bring you.”

Lizzie scrolled through her phone then made the call, putting it on speaker so she could simultaneously flip through Instagram on her phone. It felt impossible for her to focus solely on a conversation. It also helped to lessen the blow of her mom’s harshness if she was slightly distracted by pretty pictures.

“Blake residence,” Claire’s refined voice answered, and Lizzie’s spine stiffened.

“Hey, Mom.” The line filled with silence, and Lizzie hoped for a second that the call had magically disconnected.

“Elizabeth. How are you?”

Pregnant. Confused. A tiny bit scared.

“I’m fine!” Silence. “I got a new job.”

Her mom made a small humming sound, innocuous to an untrained ear, but Lizzie knew it as the soundtrack for disapproval.

“Another new job. Congratulations.”

Rake frowned down at the phone, but Lizzie waved a hand to get his attention and smiled. It’s okay. This is our talks going well.

“Did Mary tell you I’m making the cake for your party?” Lizzie asked, hating how the pitch of her voice reached a new octave.