“Hey, sweetheart!Guess what!Your father and I decided to make an impromptu visit.We’re about an hour away from Columbus.”
I froze.“Wait, what?You’re coming here?Today?”
“Yep!Our plans were canceled so, since we had a free Saturday, we figured ‘what the heck!’We can’t wait to see you and catch up on everything!”
“Um, wow, okay.This is...unexpected.Where are you staying?Do you need me to book a hotel or something?”My mind reeled.Thoughts ricocheted from my empty fridge to the clothes piled on my bedroom chair.
“No need, dear.We’ve already made reservations at The Westin downtown.I’ve booked us a table at Gianni’s for five o’clock, but Dad wants to see your apartment, so I figured we’d head there first.”
I glanced at the wall clock.3:17 p.m.Shit.
“I mean, it’s notmyapartment.It’s Marco’s.”
“We know, sweetie, but you’re living there!And Dad hasn’t seen it.Oh, shoot.Mary is calling.We’ll see you in an hour!”
The line clicked off, and I stood motionless, rag dangling from my hand and a strange dread brewing in my stomach.Spending an evening wining and dining with my parents was not how I envisioned this Saturday.Then a jolt of realization hit me.
“Shit, Emmett!”I quickly unlocked my phone and pulled up our text thread.
CALLIE
Hey, change of plans.My parents sprung a surprise visit on me.Rain check on tonight?So sorry!
As I hit send, a pang of disappointment mingled with the anxiety churning in my gut.An evening with Emmett was infinitely more appealing than fielding Mom’s loaded questions and tolerating Dad’s awkward silence.
I tossed the phone on the couch with a sigh and surveyed the cramped apartment.Time to shift into damage control mode.I began furiously dusting every surface in sight.
As I removed recyclables and random piles of clothes, resentment simmered under my skin.I knew how these visits went.Mom, impeccably groomed and sporting designer labels, would cast a critical eye over my outfit and cluck disapprovingly at my hair.Then she would casually pivot to my newly single status and lament the fact that I hadn’t found a suitable replacement for Hugh.
I pictured the look on her botox-smooth face if I announced I was dating my boss.I snorted out loud at the thought.
But was I dating Emmett?Sure, we were sleeping together, and he told me he loved me, and we spent nearly every evening together.But that was all behind closed doors.The only people who knew were me, Emmett, and Marco.
My phone buzzed with Emmett’s reply.
EMMETT
No worries, baby.What are you guys getting up to?
CALLIE
My mom made reservations at Gianni’s.They’re picking me up in an hour, so I must make myself presentable enough for Lydia Winters’ high standards.
EMMETT
You could walk into that restaurant wearing a trash bag and you’d still be the most beautiful woman there.
Warmth spread through my chest.The man was too sweet for his own good, but he also had a filthy mouth when he was buried inside me.The perfect combination.
CALLIE
I don’t know about all that, but I appreciate the sentiment.
EMMETT
Have fun at dinner.
CALLIE
