“Yep, she's very protective.” The server comes with our food, and she pauses what she's saying. Once they leave, she continues. “When I told her we were on a date. She asked when you were coming for dinner so she can meet you.”
I almost spit out my drink. I didn't think about the part where I'd actually have to meet her family. Suddenly, this whole idea feels like a bad one. Are we screwing everything up? I hope not.
“Um, whenever you want me to. Your family is more involved, so I'll leave it up to you.” I'm doing everything in my power to hide how freaked out I am with the thought. High school may have been the last time I met someone's parents. It's not one of my strengths.
“She suggested tomorrow, but I told her that was too short notice. Is there any way we can do next Thursday?” She must see my panic, because she rushes on. “If not, it's okay. But I was thinking, the sooner we get it over with, the better. Then she'll stop thinking I made you up to get her off my back.”
Wait, what? “You're saying she doesn't think I exist at all. Surely, your sister has confirmed I'm an actual person.”
“Daniela has tried telling her, but she swears my sister's covering for me. She's not even listening to Jacob because he pretty much falls in line with whatever Daniela says.”
Wow, that's wild to me. From the little I know about Jasmin, she has no problem being direct. I don’t know why her mom gets under her skin like this.
“I’ll double-check the schedule tomorrow. We can't have her thinking I'm a figment of your imagination. I know we’ll start prepping for the festival soon, but we have time. And I have to double check I don’t have any meetings for events.”
She bites her bottom lip, worrying it back and forth. “You don't have to do it if you don't want to. I know I didn't mention anything like this when I suggested this arrangement to you.”
“You didn’t, but if we want this to be believable it only makes sense for me to meet your family. Well, the ones I haven’t met yet.”
Jasmin’s shoulders relax and I can see the relief wash over her. I didn’t realize this was causing that much stress for her. The last thing I want is for this situation to feel like a job.
“Thank you.” She reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “It means a lot that you’ll do it.”
“I guess most of your past boyfriends didn’t meet the qualifications to meet the family.” Foot meet mouth. One of these days I’ll learn to think before I speak.
“Hell no.” She laughs, and it’s becoming my favorite thing about her. It doesn’t seem like she does it much, and I’m happy I’m the person who brings it out of her. “There’s no way anyone I’ve casually dated would go to my house. My mom would read too much into it, and it’s never a good thing.”
“I get that.” She lets go of my hand and begins eating. “It’s been a long time since I’ve introduced anyone to my parents. Mostly for the same reason. They had this whole love at first sight thing, and think everyone else does the same.”
“Sounds like our parents would get along.” She finishes her bite. “Except my dad. He’s never been one to pressure me into anything. He’s the one person in our house that lets me be myself without getting upset about it.”
“My family is way too involved with each other. If you tell one sibling something, they whisper about it and make snap decisions about you without getting the full story.” It doesn’t take me long to finish my food. I’ve learned to eat fast in our household. “Though, I may have participated in that behavior myself.”
“I bet you have.” Jasmin giggles. It may be weird watching her eat after I’ve finished, but she has her guard down and I like this version of her. “I can’t imagine being one of six. I only have two siblings and I want to hide from them most of the time.”
“It’s interesting, I can tell you that. But I was never lonely growing up.”
“Or any other day in your life.” Her hand covers her mouth. “Sorry, I don’t know why I said that.”
“It’s all good.” She’s not wrong. I’ve never had a problem finding a date or someone to blow off steam with.
She sets her fork down, and leans back in her chair. “I don’t think I can eat anything else.”
“Not even desert?”
“Nope. We’ll have to come back when there’s more time. I have to get up early in the morning.”
When the server comes by, I hand him my card without waiting on the bill.
“Let me pay for my half.” She reaches for her bag.
“This is a date, and I’m paying.” It’s cute she thinks I’d even accept her money. The server brings back my card and the receipt. I sign it and put my card back in my wallet. “You ready to get out of here?”
“Last time you asked that I ended up in your bed.” Another laugh. Yep, that’s definitely my favorite thing about her.
“Yeah, except this time you have to get up for work.” I reach for her hand to see if she’s going to take mine. She does and we walk side by side to the door.
Once we’re at her car, I wait for her to unlock it and open the door. “Thank you for dinner tonight. Aside from the call with my mom, I had a great time.”
