“You better tell ol’ Grayson to bring some shorts; he can’t wear a fancy business suit here,” Dad said.
“We should buy him some clothes,” my mom said. “Barry, let’s go find him one of those Dudley Grove T-shirts.”
“That’s not Grayson’s style,” I said desperately. Grayson was going to step off that plane, take one look at my parents, and head right back to Manhattan.
“I need to go.” My eye was twitching. “I have to make cupcakes apparently.”
Maybe Grayson would let me make them in his penthouse, or maybe he would think that I was like Sam and it was a not-so-subtle hint for him to swoop in and throw money at one of my many problems.
Better not.
“Okay, we love you so much! We love you to the moon and back, Squeak—sorry, Lexi.” My dad started crying. “My grown-up wonderful daughter. She’s a woman now.”
“You told them I lost my virginity?” I shrieked at McKenna.
Her mouth dropped open, and she shook her head.
“Alexandra!” My mother was shocked.
Kill me.
There are no silver linings. Let’s just blow this whole place up and start over.
My dad was bawling now. “I’m going to be a grandfather.”
“Are you using protection?” My mother’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“I need to lie down,” Dad sobbed. “I love you, Lexi, but I need some tea.”
“I have to go take care of your father,” my mom said in a rush. “We love you, Lexi!”
“McKenna!” I shrieked when the call ended. “Why do they know I’m going to Florida?”
“I’m so sorry, Lexi,” McKenna begged. “Your mom called when you were with Grayson, and you know how she is. She knew I was hiding something, and she started singing that song fromThe Little Mermaid, and she’s so good. She sounds just like Ariel. Then your dad did the Flounder voice, and I thought, well, since you already met his parents, now he was going to meet your parents.”
She held up a hand. “But I swear I did not tell them you lost your virginity.”
“No, you did that all on your own, Lexi,” Grenadine cackled.
“Oh my gosh.” I tangled my fingers in my hair. “Grayson is going to freak out.”
The next dayI was antsy and frazzled. I was trying to watch Grayson but not make it look like I was watching him so Anthym didn’t realize that we were banging.
“I can’t take the stress of a workplace romance.”
“Are you sure it’s not just residual anxiety from yesterday because you’re about to introduce a guy to your parents?” McKenna asked out of the side of her mouth.
“I definitely had nightmares yesterday about my parents meeting Grayson. They’re going to sing at him. My mom willforce-feed him casserole. My dad will ask him invasive questions and pepper him with embarrassing stories about me. We are going to have to sleep in my room.”
“With all your stuffed animals and princess posters?” McKenna made a face.
“That’s it,” I said, standing up. “I’m pulling the plug on this trip.”
“Maybe it will be fun. You have to think positive,” McKenna reminded me.
“Or maybe Grayson is right, and I’m veering into toxic positivity territory.”
I waited until I saw him head to the bathroom. Then I quickly followed once he had disappeared around the corner.
