“Well, I left to live in London with Joseph, but we came here almost every weekend,” I answer, feeling awkward talking about my ex. He suddenly clears his throat, and his jaw ticks when I look at him.
Yep, I’m not the only one feeling like that was a subject best not discussed. Whoops!
Daddy’s favorite classical music is playing in the garden, and I can’t help but be excited to see my parents. At the same time, I’m completely terrified to introduce them to Colt.
“Okay, you ready?” I whisper as we approach the archway for the rose garden.
He smirks and dips his chin. “Lead the way, Miss Norman,” he says, waving his hand for me to go through first.
“Why, ever the gentleman, Mr. Slade,” I reply in the poshest voice I can muster, and he chuckles.
Taking his hand, I guide us through, squeezing his hand tightly when my parents come into view.
“Hi, Daddy,” I call out.
Both my parents turn and look at me. They smile brightly as we walk up the stairs into the gazebo to greet them.
Daddy walks over and hugs me close. “Let me look at you,” he says, then holds me at arm’s length. “You look skinny. Are you eating? Is he feeding you properly?” Daddy looks Colt up and down.
“Oh, come now, Ford. She looks exactly the same as when we saw her four months ago. Come here, darling,” Mummy says, pulling me toward her in her motherly embrace, and then she kisses each of my cheeks. She looks over to Colt, and her eyebrow rises as she tries to hide a smile.
“Mrs. Norman, these are for you.” Colt hands Mummy the bouquet of irises. She accepts them with a soft smile, lifting the delicate petals to her nose and inhaling their fresh, floral scent.“Thank you so much. Irises are my favorite,” Mummy says, gushing over Colt.
“Oh, Liz, don’t be ridiculous. Your favorite flowers are roses. That’s why we have a rose garden that takes a small fortune to maintain,” Daddy states.
My mummy frowns and places the flowers on the table.
“Andyou… you must be the rocker from Croydon,” Daddy states in such a way that it sounds degrading.
Colt smiles and puts out his hand for Daddy to shake.
“Daddy, meet my boyfriend, Colter Slade. Colt, meet Rutherford Norman, but everyone calls him Ford.”
Daddy looks at Colt’s hand and scoffs. “You can call me Mr. Norman, thank you. And put your hand away. I don’t know where it’s been.”
“Daddy, stop it, or we’ll leave,” I threaten, irritated with his behavior.
He grunts and walks over to sit at the table. I look at Colt and mouth,Sorry, but he’s still smiling and acting like he’s doing fine.God only knows what he’s really thinking.
“C’mon, darlings, let’s have tea.” Mummy links her arm in Colt’s and moves with him to the table. Colt pulls out the chair next to Daddy for Mummy to sit down, and she blushes, giggling as she sits while he pushes her seat in.
“I could have done that,” Daddy mumbles.
“Oh, Ford, when have you ever pulled my chair out for me?”
Colt walks around, pulls my chair out for me, and then sits beside me. I can’t help but notice that the table has five place settings, with the fifth at the end, next to me.
I wonder who will be joining us?
“So, Colter…ifthat’s even your real name… what are your intentions with my only child?” Daddy asks.
“Ford!” Mummy asserts loudly while I sit, stunned and shocked.
“Straight to the tough questions. Okay, Mr. Norman, sir. As I’ve told you twice, I care deeply for Dee. She means everything to me. Honestly, she makes me a better person. I live to please and to make her as happy as I can. She’s my everything,” Colt replies, never taking his eyes off mine.
Daddy scoffs. “Right, I bet you say that to all your groupies.”
“No, sir. Dee is not a groupie. Your daughter is the only woman I am, and will ever be, interested in. No one else will compare to her, so I don’t need to stray. I know my career makes you uneasy, but two of my bandmates are married and have no problems in their relationships. I can’t imagine it being any different for—”
