‘Yeah, a few weeks ago. We went down to Chicago where our cousins live. We all went out. Had a great time.’
‘Hopefully not too great,’ Dad says, looking at Nick.
Nick glances at me. ‘We were all on our best behavior, weren’t we, Jason?’
‘Of course. You know how we are, Dad. We never get into trouble.’
He shakes his head. ‘I don’t even want to know.’
Mia quietly laughs.
‘You guys going to sit down?’ I say, thinking Mia probably feels awkward having them all stand there, staring at her.
Mom takes the seat beside me. Dad sits across from her, next to Mia.
‘Sawyer looks swamped,’ Nick says, watching Sawyer race around behind the bar. ‘I’ll go grab our drinks. Mom, Dad, the usual?’
‘That’ll do,’ Dad says, glancing at Mom who gives Nick a nod.
‘What about you, Mia?’ Nick asks.
‘I’m not having anything, but thank you for asking.’
Nick leaves and I take a swig of my beer, preparing myself for whatever my parents are going to say. They knew Mia was coming to town and I made it clear she’s just a friend. But that won’t stop them from trying to set us up.
‘So Jason said you’re in graduate school?’ Mom says to Mia.
‘Yes.’ She smiles at me. ‘What else did you tell them about me?’
‘I mentioned you were a teacher,’ I say, ‘and that you’re going into school counseling.’
‘Actually I haven’t decided that yet.’
‘I thought that’s why you were getting the degree. To counsel teens.’
‘I can do that without working at a school. I’m considering working at a community center for teens.’
‘Are you already applying for jobs?’ Dad asks.
She nods. ‘I’m starting to, but I have all summer to look so I’m not in a rush.’
‘She’s staying in Madison this summer,’ I tell my parents. ‘Helping a professor with some research.’
‘Madison isn’t that far from here,’ Mom says, giving me a smile.
She’s so obvious. I’m sure Mia has already picked up on my mom’s attempt at matchmaking. I hope it’s not making her uncomfortable. I don’t think it is. As my parents continue to fire questions at her, Mia’s smiling and answering in a calm and relaxed manner.
I’m watching her, completely fascinated by her. She goes from being studious and sophisticated as she talks about her classes, to laughing and making jokes. I love that about her. I love that just when I think I’ve figured her out, she surprises me. Like that night of the wedding. I thought she was all prim and proper, then we got to my room and I saw a whole different side of her. A wild, sexy, seductive side.
Shit, now I’m thinking about that, about what we did, which is the absolute last thing I should be thinking about when we’re sitting here with my parents.
Nick returns with the beers and takes a seat at the end of the table. ‘So where are you staying tonight?’ he asks Mia.
‘With me,’ I blurt out, saving Mia from having to explain. ‘I offered her my room to save her some money.’
‘She could’ve stayed in the Carson house,’ Dad says before taking a drink of his beer.
‘What’s the Carson house?’ Mia asks.
