He grins as he goes back to getting some seasoning ready to put on the potatoes he has cut and in a baking dish. “Everything is pretty much ready to go.”
“What did you decide on?”
“I have a tri-trip on the smoker with some roasted potatoes, asparagus, and a salad.”
I grab the packages of cranberries and sliced almonds on the counter. “Are these for the salad?”
He kisses my cheek as he walks by me. “Yep. I have blue cheese crumbles in the fridge too.”
“Boy … you went all out, didn’t you? Are you trying to impress them or something?”
“You only get one first impression, so, hell yes, I am. I need them to approve of me dating their daughter, don’t I?”
He’s measuring out the spices into a small bowl, so I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around him.
“I know they’re going to like you. I’m not worried one bit.”
He holds my hand to his stomach. “Glad I have your vote.”
I laugh as I release my grip and grab a glass from his cupboard, then fill it from the receptacle in the fridge. As I take a sip, I sit back and take in the man in front of me. Not only is he super good-looking, but he cooks, and he’s been nothing but supportive of my music. Now, I’m about to introduce him to my parents. This feels like such a big life event, but not one part of me is questioning if this is the right move. Everything about us being together has felt natural since the day we met.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks.
I grin. “Just thinking how lucky I am to have met you.”
He heads toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist and bringing me toward him. “I’m the lucky one.” He kisses me, then turns to leave. “But I don’t want to ruin the meat either.”
I playfully smack his arm as he gives me a sexy grin in response.
Before I know it, I get a text from my mom, saying they are ten minutes out.
I show Silas the text. “You ready for this?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” He chuckles.
We do any extra cleanup that is required from cooking and step outside to meet them out front when they arrive.
When they pull up, anticipation gets the best of me, and I run to the car, excited to hug my mom. I haven’t seen themsince I moved to Tennessee, and knowing they are coming here to watch me perform causes so much emotion to flow out of me that I can’t help but cry in her arms.
“Hey, sweetie,” Mom says as she hugs me back.
“I’m so glad you guys are here,” I say through my tears.
My dad walks to the passenger side, where we are hugging. “Come over here, baby girl.”
With his words, I cry harder as I hug him as well. “Thank you both for coming.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Now, introduce us to this lovely gentleman,” Mom says.
“Sorry.” I step back from them and walk to Silas as I wipe my eyes dry. I hold his hand and say, “Mom, Dad, this is Silas.”
He holds his hand out to my dad first. “Mr. Parsons, it’s great to meet you.”
They shake as my dad replies, “Please, call me John.”
Mom opens her arms wide to Silas. “And I’m Cindy. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
Silas isn’t shy at all and hugs my mom back as if she were his own.
