The Jerk Next Door by Mia Monroe

Author:Mia Monroe [Monroe, Mia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

“Ready to go?” Reign asks in greeting as I open the door.

“Am I dressed okay?”

“Yep. My parents are pretty casual. I mean, except for the butler and kitchen staff.”

I must make a face because Reign just laughs.

“Are you joking?”

He shakes his head. “Nope.”

“Great.”

He puts his arm around my shoulders, kissing my cheek. “They already like you. Just relax.”

“I’ll try, but to be fair, I’d be nervous eating with your dad even if I wasn’t dating his son.”

“That’s understandable. It’s a good opportunity for you to see that he’s just a regular guy. He didn’t grow up rich. Even though they enjoy their wealth, under it all, they’re just regular people.”

I nod, grabbing my jacket. “I’ll try to remember that.”

Reign drives us, and as he talks about fond memories growing up, I use the time to try to calm the fuck down. Even though he had more privilege than most, his parents do sound like they were pretty engaged and connected with him as he grew up. It creates a longing for something I didn’t realize I was missing.

“Are you okay?” Reign asks. “You seem quiet.”

“I’m definitely okay. I was just listening to your stories. I’m happy for you that you had such a wonderful childhood.”

He squeezes my thigh. “I’m sorry. Am I pouring salt in your wounds?”

“Not at all, but I am pining for something I never had.”

“Maybe…” He pauses, and when I look at him, he’s shaking his head, his jaw set tight.

“Maybe what?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on, Reign. Don’t self-edit with me. Please.”

It takes him another second or two until he nods. “I guess I don’t want to jinx this or get ahead of myself, but if this works out with us, they’d be your family too.”

The tightness in my chest suddenly subsides. “I’d like that.”

“So would I.”

“Bright side, at least you don’t have any shitty future in-laws to deal with.” When what I’ve implied with my own words hits me, I cringe, but Reign glances at me with a warm smile.

“Bonus.”

We arrive at his parents’ house, and Reign enters a code to get the huge metal gates to open, driving the car up a winding circular drive. The house is hidden by tall, slender cypress trees, but when it comes into view, I nearly gasp. It looks like a grand estate somewhere in the Italian countryside.

“Wow,” I whisper.

“Yeah. It’s ridiculous, but it makes them happy, so whatever.”

I smile at him. His nonchalance about his parents’ wealth is kind of sweet in a way. Taking my hand, we walk up the short set of stairs and ring the bell. A man dressed in a proper butler uniform opens the door, smiling when he sees Reign.

“Good to see you again, sir,” the man says, bowing slightly.

“You too, Ronald. This is my boyfriend, Ace.”

“Welcome,” Ronald says. “Please come in. Your parents are sitting in the library.”

“Thanks.”

Pulling my hand, Reign leads me through the massive house. My neck hurts from looking around me at all the grandeur. Statues, art, intricate moldings, and lavish furnishings are everywhere.

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