His Shortcake

Chapter 1

**Dustyn Franco**

It's been almost a week since Alec dropped the bomb on me. I haven't visited the Ramirez family, except to see him. Torn between the choices before me, Alec's proposal haunts my thoughts. Imagining my shortcake walking down the aisle toward me is a dream—one I can turn into reality if I play my cards right. But the thought of deceiving Mara is daunting. She's not one to forgive easily.

These thoughts keep me up at night. Marrying her wouldn't be so bad. Hell, I've dreamed of it for years, and now Alec offers me my dream on a silver platter. A silver platter!

"Are you okay, son?" Dad's gruff voice snapped me back to reality. I reminded myself to stay focused and present at dinner with my parents. Mentally, I was miles away, fixated on Mara.

Clearing my throat, I nodded. "Of course, Dad. Just thinking."

After I told Dad about Alec's proposal and the partnership, he was surprised. It was a significant offer, and Alec knew our company needed the push to finally enter the world market. But Dad wasn't thrilled about Alec "selling" his sister to me.

"Alec's proposal. What do you think about that?" Dad asked, taking a bite of his steak.

I glanced at my mother. She seemed oblivious, but I wouldn't put it past her to have eavesdropped. "I don't know. I haven't decided yet."

Dad raised an eyebrow. "Son, you gain more from this. You love her!" Despite his reservations about the arrangement, Dad supported my feelings for Mara. He knew and understood even before I did.

I felt my mom's eyes on me. Meeting her blazing blue eyes, I saw the realization set in. "Is this about that Ramirez girl?" she asked. As I thought, she wasn't as oblivious as she seemed. She never liked my shortcake, especially since Mara took up most of my time when I lived in New York.

"Mom, please. Mara is very special to me," I said, exasperated. I'm tired of having this same conversation. I don't understand her hatred for Mara, but she does.

"Dustyn, she's a kid! What does she know about being an adult? She's a spoiled brat," she said, bad-mouthing Mara. My mother could be very insulting.

"I love her, okay? Besides, she's only six years younger than me," I said calmly, just to rile her up more.

"Love? Shakespeare died centuries ago, young man. You need someone who can help with the business," she insisted.

Meeting her gaze, I gave her the nastiest stare I could muster. "It's my decision, Mom, not yours."

Glaring, she wiped her mouth and stood up. "This is ridiculous," she said and left the table, drawing no reaction from Dad or me. She was spoiled by my grandparents, hence the attitude.

And there goes my over-dramatic mother.

Dad sighed. Like every other dinner, Mom and I couldn't get along enough to enjoy a meal. Not one meal. And Dad, he had to take responsibility for everything Mom did out of anger or bratty behavior, despite being fifty years old. "I'm sorry, son."

I shook my head. "Mom needs to accept that I can and will make my own decisions."

"I know. Say, invite Mara to dinner with us. I'll arrange everything. Your mother will be on her best behavior. What do you say?" he asked, smiling.

Dad has always been the negotiator. Mom and I, we're like water and oil. We never mix well.

I nodded. "I'll invite her when I see her this week."

Dad agreed and left to follow Mom, who was probably sitting in the car with no way home.

Since Alec's meeting last week, I haven't done anything to put the plan into motion. I haven't even seen my shortcake or talked to her. I'm mostly worried about her reaction. I'm scared she might see me as an enemy because of this, not just me but Alec too!