I shake my head no. “It’s fine. I don’t mind leaving it parked outside if you don’t mind.”
She smiles. “Okay, let’s go eat.”
She picks a small sidewalk café about ten minutes from her house. I grew up in this general area, and my parents still live here, but I’ve never eaten at this place. She chooses an outdoor table, even though it’s early spring inthe South, which typically means it’s hot as hell and 120% humidity. But it’s a beautiful day, and a slight breeze makes it bearable. We order our food, and the waitress leaves our drinks.
We’re talking and laughing, just getting to know each other, and it’s great. I’ve never felt more relaxed with a woman than I do with her. After I tell her a funny high school story about myself, she wipes away tears of laughter. I feel someone stop beside us. When I look up, I see my parents standing beside us, eyeing Andi suspiciously.
I already know what they see when they look at her. The pink horizontal stripes in her hair, the tattoo sleeve on her arm and shoulder, her casual dress, and the fact that we’re having breakfast together. They think she’s one of my sleazy one-night stands, and I’m instantly defensive. My father clears his throat lightly to draw our full attention to him.
Andi looks at my parents with a genuine smile, and they both return it with fake smiles that never quite reach their eyes. Andi looks at me and raises her eyebrows as if to ask, “Well?”
“Hi, Mom. Dad. Small world, huh?”
Mom laughs nervously, but neither of them answers. They just look back and forth between Andi and me.
“Mom, Dad, this is Andi Morgan. Andi, these are my parents, Linda and Sam Woods.”
Andi extends her hand to my mom first, then to my dad, and tells them both that she is glad to meet them.
Their reply is simply “Likewise.”
Mom tells me about Gran’s birthday party at my parents’ house at the end of next month. When she pauses and leaves an opening for someone else to speak, Andi offers each of them a seat and asks whether they want to eat with us.
I didn’t think they would accept her invitation. The way they look at her, as if she is beneath them, their snobbery makes my blood boil. But when they not only accept her invitation but also thank her, I notice a bit of thawing in their usually icy demeanor. By the end of breakfast, Andi has them both eating out of her hand. They are both ready to adopt her and take her home. Before my mom leaves, she makes Andi promise to come to Gran’s birthday party with me.
I look at Andi without trying to hide my amazement and fascination. She really does not know how wonderful she is, because she simply asks me, “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You are amazing, Andi. Seriously. How did you do that?”
“Do what, Luke?”
“They love you! They don’t like anyone, not even me!”
“Are you crazy? They love you! You hung the moon and stars in their eyes. You’d have to be blind not to see it.”
I just shake my head at her. I must be blind not to see what she sees.
Then my phone buzzes, vibrating and causing a scene at our table. When I see Mack’s name on the display, my heart skips a beat.
His text message is blunt and direct, exactly like Mack.
We’re talking matchmakers tomorrow. Be ready.
My stomach drops.
“Everything okay?” Andi, perceptive as always, senses the shift in the air as I read and reread the handful of words.
I take a moment to catch my breath and keep my anxiety from creeping into my voice. When I turn the screen so she can read the message, understanding lights up her face.
“Yeah. Just… real now.”
“Prepare yourself mentally. Your training is about to get real, too. We should head to the gym. I know how to interpretPop’s code.” She signals the waitress so we can pay and get to the gym as quickly as possible.
When we arrive, Mack is already there, so we approach him first. His deadpan expression gives nothing away, but his keen eyes see everything.
“You have six weeks until your bout. Nothing glamorous. I booked you for a small undercard match. Let’s see what you've got.” Mack holds my gaze, gauging my reaction.
“Six weeks?” I repeat, keeping my tone steady.
