The lady takes Buddy's information and starts a whirlwind of activity behind the counter. Other people come and go behind the counter as well, but she's hyper-focused on our paperwork. In about thirty minutes she's got everything ready for us.
"Okay, you are all set. It'll be at least two weeks before you can adopt him, if that's what you want."
"That's what we want." I say.
Finally we walk out with our paperwork and a smile on our faces. Buddy is ours to foster and later to adopt. I look at Emma and she's practically glowing. She's startled by the buzzing of herphone and takes it out of her purse to check it. After she reads it she gets a strange look on her face.
"Problems?"
"Um, not really. My parents invited us for lunch."
"Us, as in you and me, us?"
"Yeah. You don't have to go. Besides you're working."
"I can have lunch with your parents."
"Are you sure? You're not weirded out?"
"I'm sure. Let's go. They'll be happy to meet Buddy."
"My father has never met a dog he hasn't liked."
Emma gives me her parents address and I put it in my GPS. Meeting the parents after having sex twice seems about right. I'm very interested in her family, so this will be a treat. Maybe there'll be some baby pictures in my future.
We get there and are greeted by Emma's parents. They are welcoming and warm to me and love Buddy at first sight. I tell them how I found him and the way his ex-owner is making a fuss to get him back. After only a few minutes waiting, the front door opens and several women come in.
All of them resemble Emma, and I realize her sisters are here. Was this some sort of trap? I better be on my best behavior. The house becomes so small with all the people in it I almost start to panic. Almost because Emma takes my hand in hers and squeezes it gently.
Knowing she's here with me makes all the difference, and once the food is served things start to settle down.
"So, Tristan, what are your intentions with my daughter?"
I almost choke on the tortellini I was eating at the moment. I pat my mouth with a cloth napkin and look him straight in the eyes.
"Emma is an amazing person, Sir. I will confess to being a bit enamored of her even after such a short time. My intentions, however, are pure."
"Well, the sheriff had good things to say about you, and I myself have seen you helping the community out even after hours."
"You checked up on me?"
"This is my little girl we're talking about."
"Right. Right."
At this point is where I look weak, and Emma's sisters take advantage.
"Pure intentions, huh, officer?" Felicia says.
"Y-yes."
"So we haven't seen you come down from her apartment in the morning twice in two days?" Luna says.
Emma's eyes go wide, and I barely manage to swallow the food I'm eating. I avoid looking at Mr. Matthews because I don't want to see the disappointment in his eyes.
"Now girls, stop messing with officer Carlton. Emma is an adult and she can take care of herself."
"Thanks, mom."
