Oral Care

Chapter 33: Down to Business

*** Rafael's POV ***

I am not trying to play nice with those wicked women, although they sure as hell are scrambling to get back in my good graces by the end of lunch. Jenny keeps asking me questions like she is writing a memoir on my life. The mother is casting these appreciative nods and smiles like she is proud that a man Evelyn is seeing finally meets her standards.

Sarah is the only holdout, looking like she is sucking on lemons the whole meal. She actually has the audacity to suggest that she wants to hit a few more stores after lunch. Thankfully, Evelyn shuts that shit down.

"No. If you want a ride back to your hotel, we're leaving after this."

"Are we going to talk?" Jenny asks nervously, tugging at her straight, too blonde hair.

"I...I honestly don't have anything to say that I haven't before." Evelyn sounds exasperated.

"Well, I want to make sure your boyfriend doesn't walk away with a low opinion of us." Abigail interjects.

"Too late." I mutter.

At the same time, Sarah snaps. "It doesn't matter, Mom. The second we approve of something she's doing, she'll find a way to screw it up."

I watch as Evelyn takes the insult in stride. It's no wonder she is the strong woman that she is. She turns to her mother and shrugs. "See? Nothing to say. I'll drop you off and arrange for an airport shuttle..."

"Evelyn. Please. I was hoping maybe you'd consider coming for Christmas. Rafael too. We need to clear the air." Her mother pushes.

Sarah is unimpressed with this sudden change of heart by her mother and I understand her frustration. It feels disingenuous. I tug at Evelyn's elbow and she turns her attention to me. "You should clear the air." She starts to protest, but I put my fingers to her lips and meet her mother's eyes. "But we won't be coming to Texas anytime soon."

No one says anything for a solid minute after my proclamation. Evelyn finally clears her throat. "Let's get back to the hotel and get this over with."

I suddenly get a crazy idea. "Sarah, come with me."

All four of the women gawk at me like I just asked her to marry me. Sarah demands an explanation. "What? Why?"

"I don't want Evelyn under stress while she drives." I explain simply.

"And you don't think Mom or Jenny will stress her out?" Sarah gripes.

"Nope. They both want reconciliation. Come on, I'll let you beat me up all you want." I offer.

"Raf..." Evelyn is going to try and dissuade me, I can tell.

"It'll be fine, love. What do you say, Sarah?" I press for her answer.

"Yeah, yeah. Fine." Sarah huffs.

"We'll see you back at the hotel." I give Evelyn a kiss on the forehead and start dragging Sarah away.

"I'm good. Don't manhandle me." She hisses. I give her a goofy grin and she rolls her eyes. Once we we're out of earshot of Evelyn, Abigail, and Jenny, she glances over at me. "You can tell you're a dentist."