He rose from the sofa and drew her into a hug. “What are you talking about? Are you okay?”
She dropped her head forward on to his strong chest and inhaled the fresh cotton scent of his shirt under the smells of vanilla and chocolate and sprinkles, scents that now signaled comfort. “Never better.”
Donovan rubbed her back. “Somehow I doubt that. Who do I have to beat up, or at least have a stern talking-to?”
That prompted a more genuine smile out of her. She sighed. “That was my father, with my mother making a special cameo appearance.”
“I see,” he said, his voice indicating that he did, in fact, understand the seriousness of the situation. “What did they want?”
She leaned back to look up at him. “My parents, or rather, several of my parents’ business associates, saw us on Good Day, San Diego and burned up the telephone lines to ask my parents about our relationship.”
“Oh,” he said, blinking, clearly not expecting that response.
“Yes. Oh.” Jada wheeled and began to pace around the living room. “My parents are morally opposed to feeling uninformed in any and every situation and were thusly embarrassed. Not knowing something, whether they actually care about it or not, is tantamount to evil to them. They’re scientists and enjoy knowledge. They were further appalled to learn that your mom has met me, while they have not met you. Their friends were thrilled to show them photos of your mom from her visit to the shop that ended up on social media.”
That simply would not do. They didn’t care about Donovan or any relationship she found herself involved in, but not knowing about it when someone asked—that was the sin. “You have been commanded to accompany me to Grams’s birthday dinner.”
“I see.” Now, he sounded calm. Even looked it. But how could he be?
Oh, God, now embarrassment was starting to claw its way into her heart to sit next to the mortification over her parents’ command. Would he think she’d engineered the invitation and was putting expectations on a brand-new relationship? Yes, they had fun together and had some terrific sex, but they’d been in a fake relationship less than forty-eight hours ago.
Maybe he thought she was already planning a trip down the aisle. Oh, God. Panic sunk its tentacles into her skin and spread like a fast-acting rash. She slapped her hands over her eyes and groaned. “I’m sorry.”
“Am I Sidney Poitier or Ashton Kutcher in this scenario?”
That reaction was enough to make her peep through her fingers. “What?”
“You said guess who’s coming to dinner. I assume that was a reference to one of the versions of that movie.”
She dropped her hands. “Oh, right.”
He pointed at himself. “I mean I don’t think I have pasty white boy energy, but who knows?”
A snort of laughter burst from her chest. He definitely did not have pasty white boy energy. Donovan was all Donovan. Hot and amazing and fine. BD energy all the way. “You’re safe on that point.”
He let out a loud whoosh and dramatically wiped his brow. “Great, but that leaves Mr. Poitier, but everyone involved in this scenario is Black, so I’m not sure that fits either. Although, I do share the same suave debonair flare as the esteemed Mr. Poitier, if I do say so myself.” He stroked his chin.
She laughed. “Of course you say so yourself.” She quieted. “Honestly, you’re not Sidney or Ashton. I’m the black sheep returning home to a skeptical crowd ready and willing to judge my every move and word. It’s gonna be a joyful time, let me tell ya.”
“Why didn’t you say no?”
She brought a hand to her chest in mock shock. “One does not say no to the esteemed Townsend-Matthews parental units. It would never occur to them that one of their offspring or their subordinates would do such a thing.” She rubbed her temples hoping she could conjure up some magical solution if she thought about it long enough. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”
He pulled her hands away from her face. “No need to apologize. We’re in this together. We said that from day one. Now that we’re us for real, I mean it even more.”
Jada stared at him. She was in so much trouble. She was starting to fall hard for her not-so-fake boyfriend.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Ready to do this?” Donovan asked.
They’d arrived at her parents’ house five minutes ago, but Jada had made no attempt to exit his SUV. She’d stared out the window like she’d never seen the Spanish-style house with its stucco roof before. When she didn’t respond, he placed a hand on her knee. “Jada.”