“You intend to become a professional?” she asked. I could hear the skepticism in her voice. I didn’t need her approval, but I wanted to impress her for Cash. So I decided to brag—which I hated doing.
“I graduated with a bachelor’s in chemistry. If I don’t get a record deal, I intend to work in a lab.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow. That’s impressive.”
“And badass,” Denver said.
I felt my cheeks blush.
“Where did you go to school?” Ophelia asked.
“Cambridge.”
“Wow,” she said again. “You are artistic and scientific. That’s very rare.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I wiped my lips and put my napkin in my lap.
“How did my brother get you?” Denver asked with a laugh.
“He was a perfect gentleman,” I said. “That’s how.”
Cash smiled at me then gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Awe.” His mother’s eyes softened. “My baby.”
Cash sighed in annoyance. I knew he was getting irritated with his family. I understood why, but they just cared about him, which is more than what most people had. My mom didn’t care who I dated, and my dad didn’t care about my existence until recently. What was it like to be loved unconditionally? The only love I ever received was from my brother.
Cash placed his hand on my thigh and leaned in close. “Thanks for putting up with this.”
“I love your family,” I blurted.
He raised an eyebrow. “You do?”
“They just care about you, Cash.”
“I wish they showed it in a different way.”
“You should feel lucky.”
His eyes softened as he looked at me. “I guess you’re right.”
“Prudence, we’re going golfing tomorrow,” Ophelia said. “Please come.”
Umm…what should I say?
“I’m working tomorrow,” Cash said.
“And I didn’t invite you,” his mother said with a laugh. “Prudence, will you join us?”
Cash kept his mouth shut and didn’t intervene.
“Sure. I would love to.”
“That’s wonderful. We’ll get to know each other a little better.”
Cash leaned toward me. “I’ll teach you a few things later.”
“I know how to golf,” I said automatically.
“You do?” he asked in surprise. “What do you not know how to do?”
I thought for a moment. “I couldn’t change a tire if my life depended on it.”
He rolled his eyes. “Wow. Your one flaw.”
“No, I’m very flawed.”
“Sure…” He pushed his empty plate away.
His mother stood up and started gathering the dishes with Vivian. They carried them into the kitchen and turned on the faucet. Cash stayed beside me, never leaving my side.
Natalia ran to his knee then blinked her eyes. I could tell she was getting sleepy.
“Time for bed?” Cash asked with a smile.
“Will you read to me?”
“Of course.” He leaned toward me. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” I couldn’t pull the smile off my face. His relationship with his niece was adorable. It was a soft side to him that I hadn’t seen. I knew it was there, but I never thought I’d have the honor of witnessing it.
When he left, it was just McKenzie and I. Everyone else was helping in the kitchen. I offered to help, but Ophelia rejected my offer.
McKenzie stared at me before she took the seat beside me. My heart rate increased when she came near. I wasn’t sure why she wanted to be so close. When her voice came out, it was quiet.
“My brother has been through a lot. He deserves someone that isn’t going to fuck him over.” Her words sliced through the air like a threat. I understood sibling love, but I didn’t expect this. Jeremy would never say these things to Cash. “Are you going to fuck him over?” She looked me square in the eye, studying my features.
I didn’t back down. I never backed down from a fight. “No.”
She eyed me. “Because if you’re just using him for his money or his connections, you should get out now. You won’t get anything out of him. And I’ll make you regret it.”
Did she just threaten me? And use him for what? I didn’t need his money. I didn’t need anyone’s money. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not.”
“I don’t mean to sound cold. My brother just can’t afford another heartbreak. It already screwed him up once.”
Another heartbreak? What did that mean? The idea of him being in pain, heartbroken, shattered my heart. “I love Cash. I’d never hurt him.” My voice was full of emotion, and the words flew out of my mouth before I could think.
She nodded. “That’s what I needed to hear.” She left the table, leaving me to ponder the meaning of her last words.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cash Matthews
The weight disappeared from my shoulders as soon as we left. My family thoroughly embarrassed me and made it seem like I was desperate for love—which I wasn’t.
When we returned to the house, I felt a million times better. Now I got to spend the rest of the day with my musician, my muse, and take her all over my house. That always helped relieve the stress.
Prudence seemed to be in an odd mood. She wasn’t upset but she wasn’t her normally cheerful self.
I knew my family got to her.
“I’m sorry about the way they acted. They are just…excited for me.”
She pulled her hair over one shoulder then placed her purse on the table. “No. They were lovely.”
I came behind her and placed my hands on her shoulders. I gave her a gentle squeeze then kissed her neck. “Then what is it, baby?”
She stared at the painting on the wall but didn’t speak. Finally, she turned around. I had no idea what she would say, but I knew it was important. I just hoped it wasn’t bad.
“I’ll answer one of your questions if you answer one of mine.”
It took a moment for me to process her words. Where was this coming from? “It depends on the question.”
“I’ll ask it first. Then you can decide to answer it.”
“And in return I can ask anything I want?”