Page 41 of Real Sexy
“Thank you, sir.”
Mr.Thrasher smiles at me as I take a long draw of my beer.“So, Ripley Fischer, tell us about yourself.How’d you meet my son?”
I swallow and fight the urge to bite my lip.I’m sure hearing that I’m a bartender and I met Boone when he came into my bar isn’t going to win them over.A worse thought occurs to me.What if they think I’m some kind of gold digger?
Boone answers for me.“Ripley’s been running her family’s bar, and doing a damn good job of it too.I was lucky enough to meet her when Zane Frisco dragged me there one night.I keep forgetting that I need to thank him for that.”His arm slips around my waist and his hand squeezes my hip.
Mr.Thrasher’s eyebrows go up.“Running a bar can’t be an easy business.”
“It’s definitely a challenge,” I reply.“It was in my family for over thirty years, and unfortunately recently closed.”
“So, what you’re saying is you don’t have a job?”
This comes from Boone’s brother, and no one in the room can miss the skepticism in his tone.At least I have an answer to my question.He definitely thinks I’m a gold digger.
“I have a job.I’m bartending at the White Horse Saloon while I work out exactly what I’m going to do next.It’s been a long time since I’ve considered the possibility of doing something other than working in a bar.I’ve been carrying cases of liquor since I was Kyle’s age.”
Wendy jabs Grant in the side again, and I highly doubt he and I are going to be friends.I can’t blame him, though.He’s just looking out for his little brother.
“Wow, that sounds like an interesting way to grow up,” Wendy says to cover the awkwardness of the moment.
“I had the boys working around the shop when they were growing up too.And let me tell you, Boone here is lucky he survived with all his fingers, for as much as I had to holler at him for messing with stuff.”
We’re saved from any more awkward small talk when Boone’s mom walks out of the kitchen and into the dining room with a steaming casserole dish.
“Come on, y’all.I’m not letting my scalloped potatoes get cold for anyone.”
Kyle follows her with a basket covered in a towel and sets it on the table.
“I’ll get the ham, Susie-Q.”Boone’s dad heads for the dining room to set down his beer before disappearing into the kitchen.
“Is there anything we can help with?”I ask Boone.
“Ma would whip my ass if I let you lift a finger this time.You’re a guest.You’ll have to wait until next time to lend a hand.She’s got rules.”
“And those rules exempt pregnant women from doing anything more than enjoying her amazing cooking,” Wendy says with a smile.“Come on, you’re not gonna want to miss this.I swear she sprinkles crack on the food, because no matter how close I follow her recipes, mine never taste as good.”
“Come on, baby.You know I said your meat loaf was just as good as Ma’s,” Grant says to his wife as he walks into the dining room with us.
“Hush your mouth.You don’t want your mama to overhear that.”
“Too late, sweet boy.But you’re lucky I love you, or there’d be no more meat loaf for you.”Boone’s mom strides toward me and wraps me in a hug.“Welcome, Ripley.I’m so sorry I didn’t greet you properly earlier.It’s like conducting a symphony making sure everything’s ready on time.We’re so happy to have you in our home.Boone’s told me a lot about you, and I’ve been dying to get a look at you.I knew I was right.He finally picked a good one.”
He told his parents about me?
“Ma—” Boone tries to interrupt, but Mrs.Thrasher releases me and hugs him hard.
“Shush your mouth, boy.I’m speaking the truth.We’ve missed you.We’re coming up to Nashville soon.Your daddy promised me a night out on the town, and it’s time to pay up.”
“Anytime you want, Ma.You know my door is always open, or I’ll get you a hotel if you want to stay in town.”
“I’ve told you a million times, I’m fine with staying at the Holiday Inn.It’s plenty fancy enough for us.”
“Don’t you dare stay at the Holiday Inn, Ma.You deserve the best I can give you, since that’s what you always gave me.”
My heart plops into a big sloppy puddle on the floor.
Boone is a mama’s boy, and it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.
