Monica gave Mags a confused, sideways glance. “There was a hooker in the cell with me who got cheated out of her money. So she hit the guy in the head with her shoe and the heel got stuck in his skull. She was covered in blood.”

Trevor sank onto the sofa and pulled Allie down next to him. “What a charming story. One I’m sure you hope to tell your children.” He said to Brynn, “Pass me a bag of fries, would you? And give Allie a burger.”

Brynn dug into the grease-coated white sack and pulled out a burger and a bag of fries, handing it to him. “Here, Trevor, catch.” She threw a tot. It hit him on the forehead and landed on his trousers. He simply picked it up and tossed it in his mouth.

Then he peeled back half the wrapper and handed it to Allie. “Eat this.” He held out a fry. She gave him a look but let him feed it to her. “You hardly ate a bite at dinner, love.”

“I wonder why.”

When he gazed up, Monica, Brynn, and his mother stared at him with wide eyes. “What?” he asked with a frown.

“So are you two, like, dating? I thought she was your assistant,” Monica said. “What is she assisting you with?”

Trevor glanced over at Allie and found her cheeks had turned bright red. Almost as red as the bra and knickers she wore earlier. “I suggest you tone down the snotty attitude and show your sister a little respect.”

Monica tried to hold his gaze but eventually dropped her eyes. He didn’t imagine this subdued change in behavior would last long. Didn’t seem her style to back down from a fight. Being in jail must have really shaken her.

“And she is my assistant,” Trevor said before eating another fry. “Anyone who says otherwise can go back to their own home.” He gave each one of them a hard look.

“Dude, you just posted bail for me. It’s none of my business.”

He nodded. “Good. And on that note, I’m going to bed.”

He stood, dropped his fries on top of the coffee table, and walked out the door.

Chapter 16

As soon as he was out of earshot, Monica threw Allie a smug look. “The two of you are totally doing it.”

“Shut up, Mon,” Brynn said. “At least she doesn’t have a criminal record.”

“Now, now, girls. Let’s not fuss.” Mags clapped her hands. “Monica, Frances prepared you a room across from Brynn’s. She can show you the way.” When Monica and Brynn just stared at her, Mags gestured in a shooing motion. “Well, go on. Get to bed.”

Allie had never seen Mags in such a commanding mood before. She seemed almost maternal.

Once they were gone, Mags began gathering wrappers, packages of ketchup, and the rest of Brynn’s tots, tossing them into a sack. “Your sisters are charming, Allison.”

“Thank you. I’m not sure how charming Monica is these days. We did just bring her home from jail, after all.”

Mags placed a hand on Allie’s arm. “You know why Trevor is doing all this—bailing out your sister, allowing Brynn to stay here?”

Allie didn’t want to discuss Trevor. Besides, talking about him to Mags felt like a betrayal somehow. “You know Trevor, he’s unpredictable. He can be nice when it suits him.” She wadded up the napkins and tossed those in the sack along with her uneaten burger.

“Nice?” Mags actually threw her head back and laughed. When she sobered, she tilted her head, her eyes sparkling. “Trevor’s never been nice. Not even as a child. No, my darling Allie, he’s in love with you.”

***

The next morning at the breakfast table, Trevor glanced up from his phone. “Why are you staring at me?”

“No reason.” Allie lowered her gaze to her plate, but her eyes had other ideas and, against her will, kept returning to his face.

“Do stop, Allison. It’s annoying. Unless this is your subtle way of telling me you’ve forgiven me and want to fuck?”

“It’s all about fucking with you, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s been four frustrating days, and I’m so goddamned hard all the time, I could cut rocks with my cock.” He glared at her, as if it were her fault.

In a way, she supposed it was, but her mistress duties had been derailed by the arrival of his parents and her sisters—and of course his own ass-clown behavior.

Mags had been so far off base last night it was laughable. Trevor didn’t love her. He wanted her. He even wanted her forgiveness—at least he seemed sincere about that—but it wasn’t love.

“So, what do you want to do, English, throw down on the breakfast table?” she asked.

He leaned toward her. “God, yes.” Trevor gave her a look of such longing, such heat, she felt seared by it. He picked up her hand and brushed his lips across her palm.

Maybe she could lock the door. A quickie would take what, ten minutes tops? No, what was she thinking? His parents were in the house, and her sisters. And she was still mad at him. But when Trevor touched her like this, every rational thought fell out of her head.

Then Mags and Nigel walked into the room. Trevor dropped her hand like it was poison. “Oh, you two again.”

Mags, swathed in the green caftan she’d worn the night before, lowered herself into a chair. “I’ve been rethinking the wedding.”

Nigel, dressed in a paisley robe, poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down next to Mags. “Do you know what sounds good this morning? A round of golf. Eh, Trev? Let’s hit a few.”

“The whole thing is all wrong.” Mags pressed her hand over her heart and her large diamond engagement ring winked in the light. “I simply can’t do it.”

“I knew it wouldn’t last. When are you leaving then?” Trevor asked.

Mags raised her brows. “What are you talking about, darling?”

“The wedding.” A little smile played on his lips. “I knew you wouldn’t go through with it.”

She laughed. “Who said we’re not going through with it?”

“You did, just now. Not two seconds ago.”

“I bought new clubs. Let’s give them a go,” Nigel said. “Haven’t got much play in lately.”

Mags touched Nigel’s sleeve. “Darling, I’m parched.”

“I’m terribly sorry, my love. Would you like juice or coffee?”

“Both, of course.”

“Goddamn it, Mother,” Trevor exploded. “What the bloody hell are you talking about?”

“Don’t yell at your mother, Trev. It’s bad form.” Nigel rose, and as he did, his robe parted, giving Allie a full view of little Nigel. Which wasn’t so little. And it appeared as though he manscaped. Everything.

She tried to hold it in but couldn’t. Erupting with laughter, she slapped a hand over her lips. Shaking, tears ran down her face.

Trevor turned his angry gaze on her. “What the hell has got into you?”

“Your father just flashed me,” Allie said, trying to catch her breath.

Nigel smiled. “Whoops.” He returned from the sideboard and placed a glass of juice and a cup of coffee in front of Mags. “Sorry that you saw my dangly bits, Allie. Sometimes the boys need fresh air.”

She tried to stop but wound up laughing harder. His parents were bananas.

Trevor clenched his jaw. “You”—he pointed at his father—“there are children in the house, you perv. Wear some fucking clothes to the table.” He pointed at Mags. “And you. You said you were rethinking the wedding.”

“What? Oh.” Her brow cleared. “Red’s not the right color. And now we’ll have to change the flowers. And of course the cake I picked will never do.” She sighed and sipped her juice.

With jerky movements, Trevor stood. “You two are leaving today. Do you hear me? I’ve had enough.” He marched to the door and threw it open.

“We’re not golfing then?” Nigel called after him.

***

Trevor strode to his office. They were a pair of nutters, his parents. After all these years, he still didn’t know why he let them burrow under his skin. But when his father flashed Allie, Trevor couldn’t keep his anger in check. For God’s sake, the man had not an ounce of shame.

A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. Allie poked her head inside. “I’m going to run home and talk to my dad.”