Her First by Diamond Mckenzie Read Free Book Online

you should try to find something wrong with mine.” Madison tried to control her anger, but failed.
    They were both giving each other the “evil eye” when Ethan walked into the kitchen.
    “I hope you ladies aren’t talking about me with that look on your faces,” he joked.
    Adrienne reached out and hugged him. “Now don’t worry about what we were talking about, brother-in-law. Just make sure you don’t remain a stranger.” She then turned and walked out of the kitchen.
    Ethan looked at Madison. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”
    “It’s a family affair.” Madison looped her arm around his and they walked out the kitchen.
     

Chapter 8
     
    Napoleon Allen sat proudly at the head of the table.  He hadn’t said much since Madison and Ethan had arrived. His only concern was his daughter’s happiness.  Once everyone was seated around the table, he spoke out.  “I have to admit I was a little skeptical about meeting my new son-in-law, especially since he didn’t ask me for my daughter’s hand in marriage.”
    Everybody remained quiet. All eyes were on Madison and Ethan. Ethan squeezed Madison’s hand under the table.
    Napoleon continued, “Son, after seeing how happy you’ve made my daughter, I want to officially welcome you into the Allen family.”
    Sighs of relief could be heard around the table. Madison’s stomach turned. She felt bad because she knew it was all a charade. She faked a smile and almost squeezed the life out of Ethan’s hand.
    The rest of the dinner went by uneventful. Small talk was made. Most of the questions were directed at Ethan. Ethan, not sure of what Madison had already told them about him, was forced to ad-lib on some of the facts they had just discussed in the car on the way over. Madison remained quiet.
    Madison noticed Adrienne’s quizzical look. Each time she caught Adrienne staring, Adrienne flashed that same wicked smile, the same one she‘d flash across the dinner table when they were children and she was holding something over one of her brother‘s or sister‘s head that would be sure to land them at least a week of punishment.
    After dinner, the men took on the job of clearing away the table. Gerald chimed, “ Ethan, in this house, since the women do most of the cooking, the men wash the dishes. Well, only if there’s not a major game on. Then Mom allows us to get by without kitchen duty.”
    Ethan was concerned about Madison since she hadn’t said more than a few sentences. “I’ll be in there in a minute, Gerald. I need to talk to Madison for a minute.”
    Gerald winked. “I understand. I was like that when April and I first got married.” He then vanished into the kitchen.
    Ethan pulled Madison to the side and embraced her. He lowered his voice and said, “I can tell something’s wrong. You can either tell me now or later, but either way, we’re going to talk about it.”
    Madison felt uneasy about lying and even more so with her nosy sister Adrienne snooping around. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Don’t worry about it.”
    “If it affects you, it affects me.”
    She pulled away and began walking off. “You’re taking this a little too far aren’t you?”
    “Excuse me.” Ethan reached out and grabbed her arm.
    “This whole thing was a mistake. I’m going to tell them the truth and that’s it.”
    Ethan was confused about the sudden change of events. “It’s your choice, but do you think your family will forgive you after you’ve made a fool of them?”
    Madison ’s eyes filled with tears. Ethan picked up a napkin off the table and wiped the tears as they began falling from her eyes.
    “ Madison, please don’t cry. It’s going to be alright,” he comforted her.
    “ Madison’s what’s wrong?” Adrienne asked when she walked in the room.
    Madison straightened herself up and responded, “Nothing.” As she looked into Ethan’s eyes, she said, “Ethan informed me he’s leaving out of town tonight for a two-week