“I thought so.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “Come on,” she started, taking his free hand. “My dad’s in the kitchen.” Eri led him into the mentioned area, and her dad turned to look at them when they entered.
“Dad, this is my boyfriend, Elias. Elias, this is my dad, Tony.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr.—”
“No, no, no,” her dad cut Elias off. “That makes me feel too old. Tony is fine. It’s nice to meet you too, Elias.”
Eri retook her place at the stove. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Why don’t the two of you sit at the table and talk?”
Sure, they could have gone into the living room, but she’d be able to hear them if they sat at the dining room table, and Eri would admit that she was being nosy. She was sure the two would hit it off, but she wouldn’t take any chances.
“Eri told me you’re a tattoo artist and you build custom motorcycles. How did you get into that?”
For the next several minutes, Eri listened to a story she’d already heard before, but still couldn’t help but smile at Eliasfollowing in his cousin’s footsteps. Something that Eri would never have been able to do, even if she wanted to. Several of her cousins, who were older than her, still carried on like they were pre-teens.
“Which one do you enjoy more?” her dad asked.
“That’s tough,” Elias responded. “I do them both for different reasons. But if I had to choose, building motorcycles. While I enjoy helping other people express themselves through the tattoo pieces they get. They still hold 100 percent of the creative direction unless they’ve told me to freestyle something for them. With motorcycles, I build what the client wants, but I’m typically in charge of the design from beginning to end. It’s 100 percent my creation.”
They continued their conversation as Eri finished dinner. It was a typical conversation one would expect when someone was introduced to a parent. There were no threats so far, as it had been the last time, and there were even a few chuckles. So far, so good in Eri’s book.
“You need help, Amate?”
Eri looked over her shoulder as she took plates out of the cabinet. “I got it, babe. Don’t get up,” she told him because she knew him well enough to know he’d still try to help.
“Bossy brat,” he responded.
“I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks so,” her dad agreed.
“You know I don’t have to feed the two of you if you’re going to pick on me,” Eri countered as she made the plates.
“Don’t be mean,” Elias replied.
“You can’t send me home on an empty stomach,” her dad said.
“No one said you had to leave tonight,” Eri countered.
“I’ve got a plane to catch tomorrow morning. It’s the annual company retreat.”
She took two of the plates over and put them in front of her dad and boyfriend. Eri then took them drinks before taking herown plate and drink to the table. She took the seat beside Elias, her dad sitting across from them. Both men reached for her plate and paused to look at one another.
“I see you’ve been put on steak-cutting duty when I’m not around,” her dad said, pulling his hand back and allowing Elias to take the plate. “So you know. She knows how to cut them. She’s just spoiled.”
“Which is your fault. Name one time I’ve gotten a steak when we’ve been together and you let me cut it,” Eri challenged.
“Hush, Bean. My enabling you isn’t what we’re discussing.”
Eri snorted while Elias chuckled. “I’m aware she can, but I don’t mind doing it.” He finished cutting her steak and passed the plate back to her.
“Why would you? You enjoy spoiling me,” Eri teased.
“I didn’t say all that, Amate.”
“Lie to me and tell me you don’t.”
“Eat your food,” Elias countered, and Eri and her dad laughed.
