Just before I could detach myself from the main event, Mom wrapped me up in a big hug, largely crumpling my jacket, but at least most of the photos were taken now. “Darling, you look so handsome!”
“Thanks, Mom. You look really lovely, too.”
“The girl who did my makeup made my eyebrows too dark, but I like how she did my hair.” Considering how short it was, I wasn’t aware that she’d done anything different to it, but I wasn’t about to say that to her.
“Jackson.” My dad’s voice came up behind me as he joined us.
“Dad.” My greeting was lost in his shoulder as he wrapped me in a tight hug.
A few claps on my back and he pulled back. “How is work?”
“Great. We’re in the middle of filming right now. It’s going well.” He looked good; hair a little greyer than it had been the last time I saw him, but bright with pride.
Mom brushed at whatever fluff she could find on my jacket. “Sarah said your girlfriend is lovely.” Of course, she had.
“I think so.”
“When do we get to meet her?”
“Tonight, hopefully. If I can find her among everyone.”
“I’m just checking! You haven’t introduced us to anyone in years. I was starting to think you were ashamed of us.”
“Never.” I gave her another hug, tighter than before. “I just never met anyone good enough before.”
Mom looked gleeful. Uh oh. “Oh, now, I can’t wait to meet her!”
26
Jackson
Iwas itching to see Audrey, to touch her, even though it had only been a few hours.
Making my way into the ballroom where the reception was being held, I found Audrey sitting at our assigned table, chatting away to Lucas’ date, who was seated next to her.
Audrey, Lucas, and his date were in deep conversation. Lucas was gesturing passionately, and Audrey’s head tilted back to laugh the way she always did when she found something really funny. Her back was to me as I entered the ballroom, so it wasn’t until I was pulling my chair out from the table that she noticed me.
“Oh, hello, stranger.” She stood to hug me, and now that I could see her in full, I was struck by how incredibly gorgeous she looked tonight.
“Wow,” I said, realizing I’d always be floored by this woman. “You look especially beautiful tonight.”
She blushed from the compliment. “You don’t look so bad yourself, but you already knew that.”
I smiled against her lips as I kissed her. “Do I? It’s always nice to hear it again.”
“Aren’t you two adorable!” Lucas’ girlfriend Marie said. She introduced herself as we sat down. She was lively and never short of interesting conversation, and it turned out she was the sous chef at one of the restaurants Audrey sold to. “I knew she looked familiar; I just assumed she was famous because of who she’s dating,” Marie said, gesturing to me.
Lucas, now ecstatic that he could post as many photos as he liked, took a few selfies of us and promised to tag me in them.
We chatted idly throughout the meal and listened in earnest during the speeches. It wasn’t until after dinner that Mom and Dad made a beeline to our table as I knew they would. Far be it from me to date someone that my mother hadn’t met—sorry, interrogated.
“Mom, Dad, this is Audrey.”
Mom reached out first, crushing Audrey in a tight hug. “Lovely to meet you. Jackson’s told us absolutely nothing.” Cue the disappointed look in my direction.
And here I had been worried about them ganging up on Audrey.
“Actually, that’s my fault. I’ve been a little nervous about meeting everyone,” Audrey offered.
