He pulled out a handkerchief embroidered with Mickey Mouse and blew his nose.
“We brought the car.” Mom pointed to the VW bus that she had hand painted with scenes from her favorite Disney movies. It was parked a few paces from the runway, because that was how we rolled in Dudley Grove.
“Where’s the guest of honor?”
Grayson was still glad-handing. There was a line of residents waiting to shake his hand.
“I made trail mix,” my mother added, pulling out a large Ziploc bag.
“We ate on the plane.”
“They served food on your flight?” My father was amazed. “Real food?”
“It’s a private plane, Dad.”
“Grayson owns it?” He pulled off his sunglasses.
My mom popped the top of a tube of sunscreen, squirted some in her hand, and started rubbing it all over my face.
“Mom!” I cried.
“You’re a redhead, Lexi; it’s hot here. I haven’t seen a cloud in a month. You’ll burn.”
“I see a sunburn right here,” my father said tickling my side.
Grayson is going to climb right back in that plane and leave.
48
GRAYSON
See? You were overreacting for nothing, I told myself on the plane.Lexi wants you to meet her parents.
It could be a red flag. Maybe a relationship wasn’t supposed to move this fast. I didn’t have anyone to ask though.
Well …
Grayson:Is it bad if Lexi wants me to meet her parents already?
Marius:She quasi met your mom, so maybe she is trying to show you she’s as serious as you are.
Grayson:What if her parents don’t like me?
Marius:You are arriving in your own private jet, and you’re tall and handsome. What’s not to love?
Marius:I’ve seen you schmooze before. You’re good at it because you don’t talk incessantly about yourself.
Marius:Just pretend you’re impressing clients or investors.
Right. Keep it light, don’t venture into any deep conversations.
Unfortunately, here I would have no escape at the end of the night.
You can keep it together, I told myself as I stood up to button my jacket and smooth down my tie.
“We need to buy you some summer clothes,” Lexi teased.
“I’m fine.”
