Foreman shook his head, getting more amused by the moment, at the light, petulant tone in Amber's voice. He didn't want to spend Christmas with the Volakises either, but the soft poutiness Amber was showing was incredibly alluring. He wanted to kiss her, change the subject for the moment, or at least reassure her that one major holiday a year spent with the family could stave off a lot of guilt. "You never gave me a chance," he protested in good humour. "You dropped the subject on me without any warning. I've had a week to think about it since then."
Well, it was good to hear that Amber's parents would be as pleased as anybody else by his MD. And...
Foreman laughed abruptly, jerking away from Amber slightly so that he could stare at her. That he hadn't counted on. He had absolutely no idea what to say to her. He pressed his lips together and looked away pointedly. "That's my problem, isn't it?" he said. There was nothing Amber could do about it. Kate Volakis wasn't about to rescind the invitation, not if it might make her look intolerant. More scandalous than a punk-rocker--oh, he hadn't forgotten Amber saying that. Foreman hadn't hesitated to point out that he'd be out of place, but that had been the end of the conversation. Amber hadn't wanted him to meet her family then, not when it might become clear exactly how unwelcome he was. He didn't give a shit about how kindly they pretended he was just another guest at their Thanksgiving dinner table. It was the idea that he was making off with their lily-pure daughter that made his stomach knot. Amber might be willing to take the bull by the horns when it was just the two of them sitting in her living room, but he doubted she'd be as blunt to her family, not if she preferred avoiding them. Christ, he didn't need her defending him, anyway. Foreman was more than happy with who he was. He'd sit through a family reunion for Amber's sake. She could show him off: that's what her mother so clearly wanted. As for the rest of the hypocritical bullshit, he'd keep it to himself, and he didn't need or expect Amber to share his burden. She'd said her share of ignorant things, but he could forgive those because they were ignorant. When she brought it up like this, it was that much more difficult to live like he didn't have to care.
"Yeah," he said shortly, all the warmth gone out of the recollection. "I've even been found worthy, once or twice."
no subject
Well, it was good to hear that Amber's parents would be as pleased as anybody else by his MD. And...
Foreman laughed abruptly, jerking away from Amber slightly so that he could stare at her. That he hadn't counted on. He had absolutely no idea what to say to her. He pressed his lips together and looked away pointedly. "That's my problem, isn't it?" he said. There was nothing Amber could do about it. Kate Volakis wasn't about to rescind the invitation, not if it might make her look intolerant. More scandalous than a punk-rocker--oh, he hadn't forgotten Amber saying that. Foreman hadn't hesitated to point out that he'd be out of place, but that had been the end of the conversation. Amber hadn't wanted him to meet her family then, not when it might become clear exactly how unwelcome he was. He didn't give a shit about how kindly they pretended he was just another guest at their Thanksgiving dinner table. It was the idea that he was making off with their lily-pure daughter that made his stomach knot. Amber might be willing to take the bull by the horns when it was just the two of them sitting in her living room, but he doubted she'd be as blunt to her family, not if she preferred avoiding them. Christ, he didn't need her defending him, anyway. Foreman was more than happy with who he was. He'd sit through a family reunion for Amber's sake. She could show him off: that's what her mother so clearly wanted. As for the rest of the hypocritical bullshit, he'd keep it to himself, and he didn't need or expect Amber to share his burden. She'd said her share of ignorant things, but he could forgive those because they were ignorant. When she brought it up like this, it was that much more difficult to live like he didn't have to care.
"Yeah," he said shortly, all the warmth gone out of the recollection. "I've even been found worthy, once or twice."