Taking them from me, she gives me a warm smile. “That was sweet, Kash. Thank you. Now, come on. Dinner is just about done.”
Walking toward their kitchen, I look around the home Mila grew up in. There’s comfortable, homey looking furniture, a large flat screen on the wall, and shelves with all sorts of photos lining them. I’ve never had dinner with a girlfriend’s family. I’ve never even had a girlfriend, and I think this is going well so far.
Walking into the kitchen, I find Mila’s dad at the stove, pulling a pan from the oven. His eyes light up when he turns around at her greeting, then they slightly narrow when he sees me.
My heart drops to the floor when her dad looks between her and her mom. “What’s he doing here?”
Chapter Forty-Two
Mila
“I’m here with your daughter,” Kash deadpans, looking at my dad. Mom stands off to the side, glancing between us.
“Stop it. Don’t act like you didn’t know he was coming tonight.” I roll my eyes.
She turns to my dad. “Kash brought flowers. Isn’t that sweet Daniel?”
I wince as Dad glances at Kash through narrowed eyes. “Sure. It’s amazing that some guy bought my wife flowers.”
“Oh, would you stop?” Mom pinches his side. “I can’t recall the last time you brought me flowers.”
Dad’s gaze flies to hers. “I bought you flowers last week.”
Laughing, Mom shakes her head. “Sweetheart, you brought homeflour, not flowers. Those are two totally different things. Now, let’s eat before the food gets cold.” She gestures toward the set table.
Kash follows behind me to the table, an unsure expression on his face. He’s quiet and it’s not like him. When I get to my usual seat, Kash grabs my chair and pulls it out. I thank him softly and swoon a little. The nice moment is ruined when I hear Dad huff. Kash sits beside me, pretending my dad isn’t behaving like one of the rudest human beings ever.
Mom hands Kash a plate of food, which he passes to me. Sitting it down on my placement, he smiles and puts the next one on his own. He looks from my parents to me, and once they start eating, he picks up his fork as well.
No one says anything for a few minutes, as we eat the pasta Mom made. I don’t know how she does it, but her homemade bolognese sauce is amazing.
“Nice haircut, Kash.” Dad’s voice breaks through the silence. Myfork freezes midair, and I steal a glance at Kash. He sits a bit taller in his seat and meets my dad’s gaze head-on.
“Thanks. I thought it was time for a change,” he offers, running his hand through it as if he forgot it was shorter until now.
“I liked it how it was. Remember our deal, Casanova.” I give him a pointed look.
“Casanova?” Mom quirks a brow.
“Yeah. It’s a funny little nickname Mila gave me after I took her on the best date ever.”
“Is that a fact?” Dad sits back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest.
I’m about to say something, but Kash rests a hand on my leg, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Yes, sir. I took Mila to some caverns about a half hour from here, then we went to do some... art at a place my friend owns. It was a great day,” he admits, looking at me like he knows exactly what I’m thinking of.Freaking color wheel.
“So, you took her to look at rocks and paint?”
“Daniel,” Mom says his name in warning. I truly don’t know the man sitting across from me right now.
Kash doesn’t miss a beat. “I did. I thought taking Mila on a date somewhere that was rich in local history, as well as supporting a local business, would be a great date, versus taking her to some chain restaurant and a movie. Mila’s special. She deserves only the best.”
“And that’s you?”
The entire table freezes.What the actual fuck?
“It is. No one will love her like I do.” Kash goes back to eating his food like he didn’t just drop a bomb on dinner. He just told my parents he loves me in the same casual way someone would give the time.
Precise and no room for debate.
