My father is talking animatedly to someone I don’t know, but that’s no surprise since the majority of this room are people I either haven’t seen in ages or never met—period.
“There,” I say, pointing across the floor to where they stand. Jacob squeezes my hand.
“You ready, baby?” he asks, his smooth voice somehow a balm to my nerves. I squeeze his hand back as I take two steps forward, then two more, then two more until my mother sees me. She waves and then her eyebrows widen as she darts them to Jacob.
“Aaron…” she says, reaching for me to hug me and kiss my cheek. “So good to see you.”
I politely hug her, then meet my father’s gaze. His friend looks at us.
“Johnson, this is my son, Aaron,” he grunts.
Johnson extends his hand, and I shake it politely, trying my hardest to keep my face from displaying my actual feelings. This guy can totally fuck off as far as I’m concerned.
“So nice to meet you,” I say as I take a breath, wrap my arm around Jacob, and pray.
Here goes nothing.
“This is my boyfriend, Jake,” I say with more pride than I actually have.
My mom appraises him with a gaze of her own before raising an eyebrow at me. My father extends his hand and Jacob takes it instantly, smiling that perfect smile that lights up his eyes so beautifully.
“Tony Everett,” he grunts, and I tense out of habit. I remind myself I don’t have to worry about Jacob knowing who I really am because he’s notreallymy boyfriend, and he’s not trying to date me or my wallet for real. It’s just an act. After tonight, I won’t see him again.
The thought makes my chest tighten, but I think it might be indigestion. There’s no reason I should be that upset over someone I just met who I barely know, right?
Right?
Except I do know Jacob a little. I’ve been discovering all the little pieces of him all night. I might not be able to write the man’s autobiography, but I’m starting to form a picture of who Jacob Riley is. The man, not the date.
And I like what I’m discovering. I want to see what more I can uncover…
If Jacob knows who my father is, he does a good job of hiding it.
“Jacob Riley,” he says, firmly shaking my dad’s hand.
“Betsy.” My mom reaches out to hug him and kiss his cheek and he leans in easily, as if he’s done it a million times.
Probably because he has. I doubt you’re the first person to bring this guy to meet the parents for one reason or another.
The thought makes me jealous for some reason. I don’t like thinking of Jacob with anyone else’s past or present.Maybe my nerves are getting to me more than I think…
“So lovely to meet you Betsy,” he says. “Aaron’s told me so much about both of you.”
I force a smile, hoping that’s not a dead giveaway. I’m not exactly my parents’ biggest fan, but since I don’t actually live here, there’s no way to prove anything. It’s his word against theirs, so…
“Yes, well, it’s always a pleasure to meet suchgood friendsof Aaron’s.”
My non-genuine smile turns to a scowl.
“You didn’t mention you were bringing a date,” my father grumbles. Johnson looks between us, and I purse my lips, worrying this is fraying far too fast.
I open my mouth to speak, but Jacob beats me to it.
“Oh, I know, it was so last minute,” he says, grabbing my arm tightly, pulling me towards him with an ease I can only assume comes from experience.
Jacob looks at me with big, blue eyes that are so sweet and hopeful, it’s hardnotto fall into them.
“But when Aaron told me how important this trip was, I couldn’t not come and support the man I love.” He gives me a genuine smile, and for a moment, I forget we’re playing pretend.
