Chapter Nine

“What is he doing here?” I pointed at the figure leaning against the side of the car that would be taking us to Georgina’s. I was surprised when Levi told me we had to take a car with a driver, but supposedly his grandmother got mad when the family didn’t act like ‘their position required.’ I gathered using a chauffeur was the appropriate mode of transportation for a royal family.

“Nice to see you too, Princess.” Jared smirked.

“He was up for the trip. This way, if Grandpa falls asleep, I still have something to do.”

“Great.” I moved to open my door, but the driver took care of it for me before I could react. He obviously wasn’t human—but he seemed even faster than a Pteron.

Since four of us were going, we were taking an SUV with three rows of seats. I moved all the way back, not wanting Helen to have to climb so far.

Levi slipped in right next to me. He reached over and buckled my seatbelt.

“Just because we’re in the back seat doesn’t mean you need to buckle me in.”

He smiled. “I just wanted an excuse to get close.”

“Because sitting right next to me isn’t close enough?”

“Nope. Definitely not close enough.” His lips hovered inches from mine.

“You’re not going to try anything with your mom around, right? I don’t have to remind you of how incredibly inappropriate that would be.”

“What about in front of my grandma?” He smirked.

I shoved his arm. “Gross. Behave.”

I turned to look out the window. I watched as Robert and Helen walked down their front porch. Robert said something and Helen turned to him and smiled. Despite how incredibly different their personalities were, they seemed so in love. I hoped that if Levi and I managed to pull things together and get married, we’d be that happy at their age.

“What are you thinking about?” Levi leaned over to look out the window with me.

“Your parents. Getting older. Whether we’ll still be in love.”

He took my hand in his. “We’ll still be in love.” He said it so simply but it did something to me. I looked into his eyes and there was complete conviction.

“I hope so.”

“I’m just glad to hear you talking about us growing old together.”

“Because you think about it all the time?”

“Not all the time…but sometimes.”

“Hi, Allie. Levi.” Helen ducked inside the car.

I smiled. “Hi, Helen.”

My jaw about dropped when Robert sat down next to her. What was he doing?

As if he was reading my mind, he turned in his seat. “Hello, Allie. My schedule opened up, and I decided I’d make the trip to see my parents as well. I was surprised but thrilled that you were anxious to meet my mother.”

I struggled to come up with a response, but Helen saved me. “Allie understands the importance of getting advice from the women who came before her. I think it’s admirable.”

The look Robert gave me was a combination of suspicion and ‘I’m going to get you.’ So much for getting on better terms with my future father-in-law. I still couldn’t quite mesh this Robert with the one who got nostalgic about winning over Helen.

Thankfully, Robert turned back around in his seat. Jared got into the passenger seat, and the driver took off.

“You okay?” Levi whispered in my ear.

I nodded. I wasn’t. What if Robert found out what information I was looking for? Whatever I was, I was positive Robert knew. He just didn’t want me to know. That just made it more important I find out. I didn’t have the energy to make conversation while Robert was listening. I went with the simplest solution. I moved Levi’s arm around my shoulder and leaned my head on him, closing my eyes.

He kissed my forehead. “I guess I tired you out, huh?”

I mumbled a yes without opening my eyes. I’d spent another night with him—I promised myself I’d stay in my dorm at least a few days the next week.

Robert laughed. “I take it you two are enjoying the engagement present.”

Levi stroked my hair. “Of course. It’s perfect.”

“Good. Allie must really want to see Georgina to give up your first weekend in the new house,” Robert said with obvious sarcasm.

Levi rested his hand on my shoulder. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll still enjoy ourselves this weekend.”

That was right. I kept thinking we’d have separate rooms, but of course not. In his family’s eyes, we were already married. How in the world was I going to talk to Georgina alone?

I squeezed my eyes shut tighter. Even the comforting rhythm of Levi’s heartbeat wasn’t enough to relax me. I’d gotten through the week thinking I had a plan, now I was left with nothing. I couldn’t give up. If it were humanly possible, I’d find a way.

***

The Laurent country house, or at least that’s what they called it, was only a few hours away from New Orleans, but it might as well have been a different world. The drive up to the house took us through a spectacular alley of oaks. My eyes were glued to the window, and I appreciated how slow the driver was going so I could enjoy the view. And that was just the driveway. Surrounded by acres of land, the mansion could have come straight out of Gone with the Wind. The houses in the city were gorgeous, but the setting added even more to this one.

“Impressive, huh?” Jared gave me a hand to help me down from the car even though I didn’t need it. I glanced around to see the reason for the unnecessary gesture and discovered it instantly. Levi was already embracing a striking woman. She was tall, with a head full of silvery gray hair. Noticing me, she pulled away from Levi.

“And this must be your Allie.”

Clearly I wasn’t going to correct the matriarch of the Laurent family for calling me Levi’s like he owned me or something. I was going to just have to let it go.

“Hi, Mrs. Laurent. It’s wonderful to meet you.” I held out a hand.

She accepted the handshake, and she definitely didn’t correct my formal greeting. “Pleasure.” She turned to Levi. “I understand why you chose her. I’m sure she keeps you very entertained.”

What? Had Levi’s grandmother just hinted about our sex life?

“Justin, would you mind helping the driver with their bags?” She moved her hands flippantly at Jared.

I struggled to keep down a snicker as Jared nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”