Queen in Lingerie by Penelope Sky

Author:Penelope Sky
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penelope Sky

My parents came over for dinner.

It was the first time we were all together since the shit hit the fan. My dad knew the truth about my relationship with Muse, and that meant my mother knew too. But I knew they would never tell Vanessa.

“We brought a bottle of wine.” Dad walked inside with a bottle in hand. “It’s from the best harvest we produced this year. Bold and smooth, it’ll go with anything Dante is preparing for tonight.”

“Thanks.” I took the bottle. “I’ll tell him to put it on ice.”

He patted me on the back then gave me an affectionate look. He didn’t hug me the way he usually did, our last few conversations still palpable between us. I’d done a lot of things to disappoint him, and while he still loved me, it wasn’t the same as before.

My mom came in next, and like nothing had happened at all, she embraced me on the doorstep. She hugged me tightly, like she was still the mother of a young boy. Her hands gripped me with motherly affection. “Hey, Con. You look good.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I kissed her on each cheek before I pulled away. “And you look nice, like always.”

Vanessa came next, giving me a glare instead of a hug. “Con.”

I rolled my eyes. “Vanessa.”

We moved into the dining room, where my parents greeted Muse with a hug. They talked to her for a bit before they allowed Vanessa a moment to say hello. My sister and Muse hugged, and then Dante poured the wine.

We gathered around the table and sat down, immediately breaking into the bread and butter.

I sat beside Muse, aware of how awkward this gathering was. Muse had been gone for three months, and everyone knew it was because of me. I’d thrown this beautiful woman away and forced her to return to New York and move on without me.

They all judged me for it.

But no more than I did.

My father started the conversation. “Are you happy to be back?”

“Very,” Muse said. “I was born and raised in New York, but Italy is my home. This place is my home…” Her eyes shifted to me for a moment. “And it’s nice to see you guys again. You’ve always been so nice to me, made me feel welcome.”

“Because you’re a sweetheart,” my mother said affectionately. “And any woman who can get my son to straighten up is wonderful in my opinion.”

Muse smiled then tore off another piece of bread.

Vanessa kept up her glare. “Don’t fuck it up again, alright?”

My father snapped his head in her direction. “Vanessa.” He only used her name, but that was enough to get her to settle down.

Vanessa dropped her glare and avoided his gaze by drinking her wine.

My sister annoyed the shit out of me, but her heart was always in a good place. “She’s right. And don’t worry, Vanessa. I won’t.”

She raised her glass to me. “I’ll drink to that.”

Muse couldn’t hide the smirk on her face.

We dug into our meal, and like the last three months had never happened, the conversation started to feel normal.

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