Page 42 of Mistaken Prejudice

“Yes, he’s here,” Shay-Lee snarled from the side, and I couldn’t help my satisfaction with the sight of his clenched jaw.

Take that, asshole. My little private celebration ended quickly as Miles grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the house.

“So there is a slight change of plans.” He spoke fast as he led me through an open corridor with an inside garden. “I know I said we’ll study first and then eat dinner, but instead we’ll have lunch.”

“Oh, that’s okay.”

My words were cut short when he stopped at once and turned to look at me. “With my parents.”

Oh, fuck.

“Parents, as in with your cute French dad?” I gave him a weak smile, hoping for the best, but Miles’s deep sigh confirmed my fears.

“Parents, as in my cute French dad and my less cute American lawyer dad.”

I wanted to assure him it would be fine, but the look on Miles’s face told me all I needed to know. It would be a bloodbath.

“Ready to meet the parents?” Shay-Lee’s rhetorical question echoed in the space as he passed the two of us, not before he tapped me on the back a little more forcefully than necessary.

“What’s he doing here?” I asked with my eyes following him as he walked farther into the house, specifically on how his ass moved in those barely there red trunks. Fuck no, I did not just check out his ass. I had so many questions ringing in my mind that I refrained from asking.

“I’ll explain everything later,” Miles said before he turned around and continued walking toward the direction Shay-Lee disappeared into. His steps were fast and hard to follow, especially as I tried to catch up to his words.

“My dad, Daniel, I’ve told you he’s a lawyer. You must let him ask the questions. Also, don’t speak about the weather or architecture.”

“Why would I?”

Miles shook his head. “It doesn’t matter, just don’t. He hates when people fill the silence with unnecessary words. He says it makes them look guilty.”

Guilty? Wonderful.

“One last thing.” He stopped again and turned to face me, an apologetic look in his eyes. “Shay-Lee somehow found out about… about your past.”

A sudden panic took over me. The last thing I wanted was for that vile bully to know anything about me or my guys. I had no doubts he’d try to use it against us.

“I-I didn’t say a word. I swear. I have no idea how he found out.” The insecurity and regret in Miles’s clear blue eyes made me forget about my worries. My body moved on its own as I leaned to kiss him, all while telling myself never again did I want to see that look in his eyes.

“I know.” I raised my hand and caressed his cheek, right where he had two gorgeous beauty marks. “I trust you.”

A flush crept up his face, and he nodded it away. “Yes, anyway.” He rubbed his nape. “He told my parents, but don’t worry, okay? You’ll charm them the same way you charmed me.” He smiled and began walking again.

“Wait, wait. So what exactly do your parents know?” I tried to ask, but it was already too late. I stopped awkwardly next to Miles as we arrived at the common area where Shay-Lee, Elliot, and who I assumed was Daniel, were waiting for us.

There was a moment of weird silence in the room, during which I tried to focus on the artwork on the walls rather than my existential anxiety until Elliot came to greet me.

“Andrei!” He spread his arms to the side in a warm greeting before he wrapped them around me and plastered two kisses, one on each cheek, before he pulled back and looked at me. “Oh, Andrei, mon chéri. It is so sweet of you to come.”

I almost forgot how melodic his voice sounded, with his beautiful accent and natural cheerfulness.

“Hello, Mr. Dufort.”

“Oh, please, call me Elliot. It is my name, n’est-ce pas?” He fluttered his eyelashes at me in a way that almost made me choke. He and Miles looked so alike in appearance and character. They had some sort of flirtatious aura that followed them around and left you in awe.

“Yes, of course. I’m sorry.”

Letting go of me, Elliot turned around and walked farther into the room. Only then did I notice he was dressed in the same trunks as Shay-Lee. What the hell? At least he had some sort of a garment on that made him a bit less naked. Did I mention it was a silk garment?

“Are they wearing matching shorts?” I whispered in Miles’s ear as I followed him toward the leather sofa, where his other dad, Daniel, was reading a book.