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"Just do what you can," Quinn said quickly. Her eyes skidded over me just as she turned to flee her mother's presence. She blinked once as if surprised before dashing away, glancing back over her shoulder at me curiously. It wasn't until she was out of sight that I realized I should have introduced myself – or at leastwaved.
I sucked in a breath and stepped closer to Marv, just behind his shoulder, as a woman dressed in an elegant, white pantsuit with hair pulled back into a sophisticated chignon stepped around a doorway several paces beyond the staircase. She strode into the room, her heels clicking on the hardwoodfloor.
"Did I hear your sister in here?" she asked as sheapproached.
Marv grinned down at his mother who, even in heels, was just an inch or two shorter than him. "I think your hearing might be going, old woman," heteased.
Her eyes narrowed, and she batted at his arm playfully. "Lord, don't tell me that now or it’s all I will think about for the rest of theday."
He laughed and though I took a step back, wondering if I could escape out to the car before either of them noticed, Marv moved and slipped an arm behind my back, pressing me forward. "Mom, I'd like you to meet my friend, HarlowHampton."
Marv's mom blinked at me, similar to the way her daughter had, before holding out her hand for me to shake. Slowly I stepped forward and accepted it in greeting. "Friend?" she repeated,curious.
"Yes, Mom, a friend," Marv said. "I do have those, youknow."
"Oh, of course you do," she said, frowning at him. "I've met Knixon and Bellamy and your friend Texas, but never..." she trailed off, glancing back to me and realizing she still had my hand in her firm grip. She immediately released it. "Well, it's lovely to meet you, Harlow. My name is CaitlynCarter."
"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Carter," Ireplied.
She smiled brightly, regaining herself. "Oh, dear, do call me Caitlyn. Only my co-workers and employees call me Mrs. Carter. Shall we adjourn to the back patio for afternoon tea? You're just in time." Without giving either of us a chance to respond, she turned and hurried back the way she hadcome.
I stared after her, stunned for a moment before flicking a glare atMarv.
"I hate you," Ihissed.
I wouldn't forget this. I knew exactly what I would do to pay Marv back for this. I was going to soak all his suits in a big, fat vat of jello when we got home. Texas would help. One thing I'd learned was that Texas was the most playful of the bunch. Knix would laugh and tell us to clean up our mess. Bellamy would sometimes partake in the mayhem if it necessitated his artistic skills – like when Texas had him paint Marv's BMW in rain activated paint. It still looked a shiny, dark gray, but as soon as it rained, Marv's perfect BMW would be the sweetest bubblegum pink. I couldn't wait to see his reaction tothat.
Chuckling, Marv guided me out to the back patio with his arm still around my waist. Thankfully it wasn't tiled or covered in decorative cobblestones. I strode across the plain rock surface and met his mom at a diamond shaped patio table shaded by a large, white umbrella. She beamed at the two of us for a moment before taking her seat and proceeded to pull a napkin into her lap as a young man with cherry red hair paused by her side, holding a silver tray with champagne flutes. I stared in confusion as Marv put a hand on my lower back and pulled out my seat for me. I looked back at him, but sat properly, and he took the seat next tome.
Mrs. Carter took one of the flutes and the young server moved around to offer one to Marv who shook his head politely to decline. When he approached me, I did the same. Even if I was twenty-one, I'd be terrified of drinking in front of Marv'smom.
"So, dear, tell me, when did you meet my Marvin?" she asked, turning to cross one of her legs over the other. Her pants leg slid up just a few inches revealing her stunning black heels with redundersides.
"I... um... at work," I saidlamely.
"Oh, you work for Iris, too,then?"
"I..." I glanced at Marv. I had been inducted into Iris, but hadn't gone through what they considered...orientation. So, while I was technically a probationary member of the guys’ team, I wasn't completely sure where I stood with Irisyet.
"She's a new recruit," Marv answered for me. I released a breath and he slid a hand under the table to squeeze one of mine in reassurance before drawing back. Mrs. Carter watched us as she sipped her champagne. I wanted to ask about tea but didn’t want to be rude, so I kept my mouthshut.
"Hmmm," Mrs. Carter hummed as she sipped her champagne. "And do you work at Iris full time,Harlow?"
“For now, yes, Ma’am. I-I am," I repliedunsteadily.
Marv's mom nodded her head and was diverted as the same server from before returned with a trolley of small sandwiches and mini teacups. At least the promised tea hadn't been an excuse to get me out here. I shot Marv another annoyed look, swearingretribution.
He either didn't see it or completely ignored it because as the red-haired server stopped by the table, Marv leaned over and snatched a finger sandwich from one of the trays. Mrs. Carter reached forward and slapped his hand away, though she didn't manage to retrieve the sandwich before Marv popped it into his mouth with agrin.
"Manners, Marvin," she said with narrowedeyes.
His response was to finish the sandwich in his mouth while the trays were dispersed to the table along with the mini teacups. Mrs. Carter waited until they were all set out and the red-haired boy had disappeared back inside. I stared at the food and tea, stomach rumbling with hunger, but terrified of doing the wrong thing. Mrs. Carter reached for a small plate and a sandwich and placed it in front of herself. I mimicked her actions as Marv simply went in for the kill, piling his plate and pouring tea for both himself andme.
"Mom," he whined, "why do you always insist on using child sizedtableware?"
Mrs. Carter chuckled as she nibbled on the edge of her sandwich. I couldn't stop myself. I inhaled two of mine and then reached for a third. Mrs. Carter's gaze tracked me, and with the two sandwiches already in my stomach I consciously slowed down. I added another sandwich to my now empty plate and set it in front of me without touchingit.
"So, Harlow," Mrs. Carter said. "Are you from the Charlestonarea?"
