Page 65 of Saved By A Dark Billionaire
"Thanks, but you don't have to be sweet with me. I'm not as prim and proper as mother would like." She held her pinky out in a mocking kind of way, making me snort a laugh. She smiled at me, happy I understood her humor. "This is going to be so much better with you here. Thank you for picking one I can actually get along with."
She had directed her last statement at Lucas. I wasn't sure how I felt about the comment. I guess Lucas had a lot of women to pick from to take here, but the one he chose to meet his mother was me. I was still fighting back the emotions his mother spurred inside of me, and the realization Lisa's words brought me, didn't help. Feeling overly emotional at the moment, I began to search for a bathroom to collect myself in.
"Excuse me for a moment, I need to find the ladie’s room," I said, stepping out of Lucas' hold.
"It's down the hall to the right," Lisa called after me.
I stepped inside, following her directions. Thankfully, it was a private bathroom. It was singular without stalls, allowing me a real moment to myself. I stared in the mirror picturing mom when I was younger. I wondered if mom had parties like these on her birthdays once she left dad. Did she look as radiant as Lucas' mother? Smile as brightly? I hope she did. I looked up at the ceiling, catching my tears with tissues so they would not stream down my face and ruin my makeup.
I stepped out of the bathroom to find Lucas leaning back against the opposite wall. He quickly grabbed me, dragging me to him. His strong arms wrapped around me and held me close. He kissed my forehead tenderly, rubbing my back with his thumb.
"What's wrong, Rose?"
"Nothing. I just…it's stupid." I shook my head.
"I doubt it is. Tell me."
"I was thinking of my mom. I wondered if she was able to shine as brightly as your mother after she left my father," I admitted with a sigh.
"I am sure she did. If you're really curious, you could always ask her friends. Doesn't one live in the same building as you?" He made a good point. If I was curious, I could hunt down Penny and ask her. I nodded into his chest.
"You're right. Thank you, Lucas."
"I didn't do anything, but I'll take the thank you, anyway." He winked at me as he pulled back from our hug. "Lunch is ready. Let's get you fed."
He grabbed my hand this time, guiding me back outside. He pulled my chair out for me across from Lisa. Kane sat beside Lisa, with Sarah at the end of the table. Lucas sat to the left of her in front of Kane and beside me. I felt the tense air around Lucas and Kane. It was obvious, even to me, they did not get along in the least.
"So, tell me Olive, how did you meet my son?" Sarah asked me, her shades and sunhat were off now to reveal her black hair and brown eyes. The same brown eyes Lucas sports.
"Oh, um.." I bit my cheek, feeling a bit embarrassed. I didn't want to tell his mom we met at a club. It seemed sleazy, but I also wasn't going to lie. I felt mortified as I continued. "I met him at a nightclub."
I recalled our first night together as my mind flashed with the image of him leaning back over the bar, looking out onto the dance floor. His eyes had caught mine from across the room, pulling me towards him. It didn't take long until we were dancing with one another, eventually leaving together after my little game.
"Sounds accurate." Lisa laughed, sparing her mother from having to comment. A wave of hot embarrassment crossed my face, turning even my ears red.
"Lisa!" Sarah scolded her daughter.
"What? We all know about Lucas' escapades. We don't have to pretend otherwise. I'm glad he found this one, and is taking it seriously," Lisa said with a shrug of her shoulders.
"That's a colorful way of phrasing it." Kane commented, feeling the need to add to this conversation for some reason.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucas snapped.
"No, we are not doing this today." Sarah quickly shut down whatever argument was about to ensue.
"I know it's not exactly the best place to have met, but I am glad it happened. You've raised a very caring man."
I am not sure why I felt the need to tell her such a thing, but I wanted to steer the conversation away from Lucas' less redeeming qualities. I didn't want his family picking on him for what he'd done. They didn't understand it, but I do. As such, I won't let them look down on him for it. He was doing what he needed to do in order to heal, and I will no longer hold it against him. Yes, it makes me insecure and at times jealous at the amount of girls he's been with, but now I understand it better so it's easier to swallow down.
"Thank you, Olive. I am glad to know my Lucas is treating you right." She nodded with a fake smile. The slight disdain in her voice had me believing perhaps she didn't like me very much. Silence filled the air until it was interrupted by two faces I was grateful to see.
"Sorry I'm late, Auntie." Rachel's voice came from directly behind me. I turned to see her arm linked with Leo's. "Hello, Daddy," she greeted Kane. Of course, it would make sense her father would be Kane, but it somehow surprised me.
She wore a cute high low dress which started off black at the neckline, ending in white at the hemline. The black stretched into octopus tendrils over the white bottom. The wide waistband echoed with the lace-up sides perfectly highlighting her slim waist. She wore black wedges to match. It was definitely her style while still fitting the occasion.
"Happy birthday, Aunt Sarah." Leo greeted her. I was surprised to hear him call her aunt. Are Lucas and Leo actually cousins and not just friends?
Leo looked dashing in a white button-up shirt and black trousers. He matched well with Rachel. Honestly, I began to wonder if there was a color theme and I was clashing with it. I should have asked Lucas when buying my dress, but I didn't think about it. Leo took a seat beside me while Rachel took hers next to Lisa.
