Page 26 of Scandal
“I’ll say.”
I reach for the door handle, but he stops me. “Wait. Just a moment.” Then he hops out and jogs around the front of the Land Rover to open my door.
“Is this what Asher, the boyfriend, is like?”
“I don’t know,” he answers, somewhat awkwardly. “I’ve never been anyone’s boyfriend before.”
My mouth gapes open. Never? “I…well, then you won’t mind if I’m a little rusty, either. I haven’t dated since early high school.”
Now he’s the one who looks surprised. “Not at all?”
I shrug as we walk up the stairs to the front door. God, there must be a thousand. “Never seemed that important,” I say. “I had goals. I didn’t want anything to get in the way of them.”
“Your father always said you were very driven.”
I swallow. “Yup.”
So driven that I have no friends, no love life, and the hottest thing that’s ever happened to me was waking up next to my teenage crush this morning.
Just as I’m starting to wonder if I’ll need to ask for a break, we reach the top of the stairs. During the day, I’m sure the view from the expansive patio is breathtaking, but at night it’s mainly just the soft glow along the path up the driveway.
An array of plants and ferns dots the limestone patio. Before I can admire them, the double doors are pulled back, and we’re met by a stoic-looking man in a black suit and tie. His face is weathered by age, and his hair is bright white. He gives me a passing glance, then nods politely at Asher. “Welcome, my lord. They are expecting you.”
My stomach suddenly feels like it’s in my ass. I am so out of my league here. But then Asher slips his hand into mine as we step over the threshold, and my heart jolts into overdrive for an entirely different reason.
This was such a bad idea.
As the butler leads us in, I try to focus on the inlaid floor and the paintings on the walls. But all my concentration seems to center on the feel of his large hand on mine. That is, until we turn a corner and enter a large drawing room.
Full of people.
“What the fuck?” Asher mutters under his breath.
“I thought this was just dinner with your parents?” I whisper.
“My father must have left out a few details.”
I squeeze his hand. “What if someone?—”
“No need to look alarmed, son. Everyone here has been sworn to secrecy—the legally binding kind, that is.” Asher’s father forces a fake smile as he looks me over. “Well, almost everyone.”
“You’re not making my girlfriend sign a confidentiality clause.” He stares his father down. It’s kind of hot.
Just an act, remember? None of it is real.
“I’ll sign it,” I say, hoping my voice sounds more confident than my nerves feel.
The earl’s brow lifts in surprise. “You know what will happen if you?—”
“I said I’ll sign it.”
His fake smile reappears, this time a little strained. “Wonderful. Greggory can take you to my office and?—”
“She can sign it later.” Asher’s voice is firm. Resolute.
“Fine,” his father tersely replies. “Why don’t you go find your mother? I’m sure she’d love to meet…”
“Mercury,” Asher supplies.
