“No.” Shocked, Brandon turned to Jezebel’s father, who spoke for the first time. “You are too old for my baby girl. I know about you Pride boys, and my daughter is not another girl for you to use and discard.”
“Darrell, Brandon is a guest, and he has been nothing but a gentleman.” Jezebel’s mother turned red as she berated her husband.
Darrell grunted, and then a smirk curved his lips. “If he’s a gentleman he will have dinner with us tonight and invite his parents to show he is serious about our daughter.”
“Darrell, it is late notice to invite his family and—”
Brandon knew his parents would come. “That’s fine if you are okay with it. I will even call them now. I’m also happy to pay for us all to eat at a restaurant and save you cooking?”
Brandon heard the gasp and saw Jezebel’s head as she peeked around the entrance. His lion sat up at the sight of his mate, and Brandon’s eyes honed in on her.
“Oh you don’t have to pay for us, Brandon,” Jezebel’s mother said.
Brandon didn’t let his gaze leave Jezebel, who’d changed into jeans and a black tank top. She looked comfortable and sexy as hell. “What do you think, Jezebel?” he asked, making her presence known to her parents. She came out more from her hiding place. He captured her gaze, smiled, and with his eyes pulled her to him.
****
Holy crap. Jess had gotten into the house and was eager to get away from Brandon. She had convinced herself he had given her a pity fuck or was just being nice to the chubby girl who’d made a fool of herself. She told herself once she let him off the hook to go he would leave, but when she came down from getting changed and calling Travis to come around she could hear her dad saying “no” to him. Jess had been horrified to hear what her dad said and what he’d asked of Brandon, who was, to her shock, still here.
When Brandon had heard her gasps his gaze had caught hers, and she hadn’t been able took look anywhere but him. Her body seemed to move towards him of its own accord. He was like a magnet pulling her to him. He asked her what she thought of the plan, and all she could do was nod. Brandon gave her a megawatt smile, and two dimples appeared, and she knew then that she was a goner. A sigh slipped past her lips as she sat down next to him.
He put his hands in his pants pockets and pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and put the phone to his ear. Jess couldn’t tear her gaze from his.
“Mom, it’s Brandon. Can you and Dad have dinner with my mate, Jezebel, and her parents, the Dibsons, tonight? Yes. Great. I suggested a restaurant. That would be the best one. No, just you two. The others will see her Thursday at games night. Aha. Thanks, I’ll see you later.” He hung the phone up and finally broke their connection to look at her parents, who were staring at Brandon.
Jess’s dad was giving Brandon death stares. His arms were crossed over his chest and his lips in a thin line. Her mother had a huge grin on her face as she looked between her and Brandon.
“My parents would love to have dinner with you. They also said they would love to show you to Cassa Delento. How does a seven o’clock booking sound?”
Her mother clapped. “Oh, I love the food there. That is perfect, isn’t it, Darrell?”
Jess giggled as her dad shook his head, then looked at her mother and changed to a nod. Brandon stood and smiled a bright smile down at her, his dimples again popping. Wow, he was even better looking the more time she spent with him. Brandon held his hand out to her, and she took it and stood.
“I will come by here at twenty to seven to pick you up.” Jess found herself nodding. “I’ll see you, Mrs. Dibson and Mr. Dibson, in a couple of hours.” Her mother nodded, and Jess walked with Brandon to the front door.
Jess opened the door, and he stepped out lingering on the step below. “Why did you run off when you got in?”
It was time she stopped being so awed and spoke up and told him how she really felt. “To tell you the truth the whole ride back my mind went over what I’d done. I’m not usually like this. Actually, I’m never like this. I did what I did with you because I thought I’d never have a chance with anyone like you ever again. I didn’t want to miss my opportunity. I’m not stupid. I know you would never usually give me a second look. I mean look at me…” Jess waved her hands up and down her shapely body. “And look at you. You are way out of my league. I’m a frumpy, nerdy, girl who’s not popular and whose closest friends are two guys. It’s only since Sasha’s come that I have been to house parties and gotten invited on girlie shopping trips.” Jess stared into Brandon’s perfect face. “I never thought you’d really be interested in me. I ran so I didn’t get more attached to you.” Jess heard a car door slam and looked up to see Travis and a pissed off Zeck coming towards her.