He should not have called her by her last name. She’s weird about it. Anytime my friends called her that, she’d ask if she looked that old. I have to say it’s one of my favorite things about my mom. She isn’t stuffy, and even though she knows it’s a form of respect, she has no problem with people calling her by her first name. Unless, of course, she doesn’t like you. She’s petty like that.
“Please, call me Ofilia.” She pulls back and I swear I’ve never seen a smile that big on her face. Well, except maybe when Jacob proposed to Daniela. But an engagement is a valid reason for the expression.
I already know she’s marching me and Parker down the aisle in her head. This is why I never bring people home to meet her. She goes right off the deep end to happily ever after.
“Oh, okay.” I wish I could be in his head right now. His first impression of my mother is important. Mostly, I want to know if he thinks she’s as over the top as I think she is.
“Hey Parker,” Daniela waves at him on her way to the kitchen.
“Hi Daniela.” He steps away from my mom and waves back. He’s so out of his element. I can tell by the way he’s carrying himself. He’s not comfortable and I feel horrible for making him endure this.
“This is my son, Adam. He just started college this year. I don’t know what I’ll do when everyone is off doing their own thing and it’s just me and Abraham.”
“Um, hello.” I wave my hand in the air. “I still live here.”
“Yes, I know, but you usually stay in your room when you get home from work.”
“Because it’s the only peace I get.” I mutter the words and hope like hell nobody heard it.
“What was that?” My mom stares at me as if I’ve affronted her. Which, okay, I did. But she doesn’t know that.
“Nothing, Mom.” I glance around the entry way. “Where is dad?”
“In the backyard finishing up the corn. He’ll be in soon.” She motions for Parker to follow her into the dining room. “Do you want anything to drink? We have water, beer, and maybe a few sodas. I don’t buy those very often.”
“Water is fine.” As she walks ahead of him, he reaches over and grabs my hand. “Is it just me, or is this awkward?”
“It’s definitely awkward.” I laugh. “You thought your family was a lot, but they’ve got nothing on mine.”
“You haven’t seen all of us in one room.” He squeezes my hand and shoots me a playful grin.
“I’m sure I will soon enough.” His family doesn’t scare me. Well, maybe Piper does. She seems…intense. But I know it’s because she’s passionate about the winery. You can tell in the way she carries herself.
“Yes, you will.”
Dad comes in as we all take a seat around the table. “The corn is ready.”
Mom sets the dishes on the counter with plates at one end and silverware at the other. Parker takes it in stride. I’m not sure how they do family dinner at their house, but here it’s kind of a free for all.
My brother doesn’t hesitate to get up from his seat and grab a plate. I swear all he does is eat, and I have no idea where it goes.
Parker stands and pulls out my chair, waiting for me to join him. He really is taking this chivalry thing to heart. I would say it’s an act, but he’s gone out of his way since the day I’ve met him to make sure I’m put first. It’s such an odd feeling, and I don’t know that I’ll ever get used to it.
Not that I’ll need to. This thing between us has an expiration date. After the wedding, we’ll never see each other again.
“Hello, Mr. Campos, I’m Parker.” He’s already by the counter making his introduction with his hand out. Dad does the same thing as Mom and pulls him into a hug. There’s one thing Parker will learn about us, we don’t do formal anything.
“It’s good to meet you, Parker. Jasmin never brings anyone home for dinner.”
I don’t miss the way he doesn’t correct him about his name. It seems someone in my family is going to make him work for their respect. Dad only wants to make sure he’s good enough for me. I try to remember that even if I hate the machismo of it all, which is so unlike him.
“I’m glad I can be the first.”
“I’m sure you are.” Dad gives him a once over and moves to serve himself a plate. But I can see the smile he’s trying to hold off. As much as he’s trying to be stoic and a hard-ass, his playfulness is peeking through. I’m glad I didn’t misjudge my father all these years.
I pull Parker to my side and lead him toward the plates. “I guess you’ll have to win him over.” Parker is staring at me, but I’m looking over his shoulder at my dad who is trying his best to wink when he knows he can’t.
“Oh, it’s on.” His voice is a soft whisper against my ear as he moves me in front of him to get my plate first.
