“Oh, you know, working.” I shrug then cringe, willing myself to tell him about Wes.
“You need to take a break every once in awhile and come visit your old man.”
“Sorry,” I tell him, and he kisses my head again.
“Hey, honey.” My mom smiles then looks around, and I jerk my head side-to-side before she asks exactly what I know she’s going to.
“You didn’t bring a date?” she asks, and I take a breath and shake my head.
“You’re not dating, are you?” my dad asks.
“Do you need any help inside, Mom?” I ask ignoring my dad’s question. Not giving her a chance to answer, I take her elbow and lead her past the pool and into the house.
“Honey,” she laughs, looking at my dad, who is still in front of the grill, but his body is turned toward the house, “are you still seeing that nice guy Wes?”
“Mom, really?” I ask, going into the kitchen and pulling out platters from the fridge.
“What? I thought you would bring him, or that he would insist on coming today.”
“He wanted to, but I asked him to let me tell Dad about him first.”
“You didn’t tell your father about him, and right now, when you had the perfect opportunity to tell him, you pulled me away.”
“I know.” I cover my face in frustration.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, and I feel her hand on my back and uncover my face to look at her.
“I’m worried Dad won’t like him,” I whisper, and her face goes soft.
“Honey, what happens if he doesn’t like him?” she asks, searching my face.
“I don’t know,” I say, feeling my chest constrict.
“When I started dating your father, Grandpa was not exactly happy about it, but I knew your dad made me feel things I didn’t even think were possible, and I also knewmydad loved me enough to know I knew what I was doing.”
“I want Dad to like him,” I whisper.
“Then you need to give him a chance to get to know him.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready, if our relationship is ready.”
“My beautiful girl is falling in love,” she whispers, and I close my eyes, not wanting her to see how true that statement is. I’m falling in love with a guy I barely know.
“I think I just need a little more time,” I tell her, finally opening my eyes.
“Just don’t wait too long, honey.”
“Promise I won’t,” I say as my insides twist.
“He’s hot.” She smiles after a moment.
“What?!” I shriek, looking at her.
“He is, and that kiss he gave you when he walked into you house? Very nice.”
“Shut up.”
“What? I’m old, but I’m not dead.” She smiles.
