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“I have extra toothbrushes I get from the dentist. I never use them. Mine is electric.”
I nod. “Those are the best, but we’re not about to be passing those out for free.” I laugh. “What should I expect today? Do you think they’ll buy that we’re really together?”
He nods and wipes his mouth before answering, “Yeah. I’ve never brought anyone home to them. I’m sure the timing might be a little suspect, but I can just tell them that’s part of why I was so pissed about the inheritance. That I was sure I’d found someone, and I hated the rules, and the deadlines that it put over our heads for money. It’s not a lie. I hated it and I made sure my parents knew that.”
“So, when they ask if we’re going to get married?”
“We tell them we’re taking it one day at a time. They’re already going to know you’re important to me by me bringing you home. They know we all spend a lot of time together, so I don’t foresee an issue.”
“We’ve totally got this.” I raise my hand for a high five, and he smiles, slapping his palm against mine.
I clean up the kitchen while he showers and we head to my parents' place so I can get ready. They left early this morning for their flight, so it’s just the two of us. Legend stays in the living room with the remote as I rush upstairs to pack a bag to leave at his place and get ready to meet the parents.
“Yo! Mom, Pops, we’re here!” Legend calls out, pushing open the front door to his parents' house. He has his hand clasped in mine as he leads us inside.
“In the kitchen!” his mom calls back.
Legend smiles at me and continues on until we reach the kitchen. His mom is stirring something on the stove while his dad is sitting at the large island. He looks up as soon as we walk in. His eyes go to our joined hands, and when he sees me, his face breaks out into a huge grin.
“Monroe. It’s good to see you.” He stands and pulls me into a hug. Well, he tries to. Legend still has a tight grip on my hand. “Son, I’m not stealing her away,” his dad jokes.
“I’m watching you, Pops,” Legend replies but finally releases me. He moves around the island to give his mother a one-armed hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Hey, Mom.”
“You’re just in time.”
“It smells delicious. What are we having?”
“I know it’s warm out, but I was craving some chicken tortilla soup.”
“You know that’s one of my favorites,” Legend tells her.
“Monroe, sweetheart, it's good to see you. How have you been?” his mom asks.
“Doing well. This one is taking good care of me.” I loop my arm through Legend’s and smile up at him. He drops a kiss to my temple, and it’s easy to pretend like I’m swooning because I am.
“What about you, Monroe? I should have checked to make sure you like chicken tortilla soup. I can make something else if you’d like.”
“I’ve never had it, but I’m not a picky eater.” I wave her off. “It smells incredible. I can’t wait to try it.”
“No, she’s not picky. She just can’t decide, so we end up sharing when we go out.” Legend looks at me with a fondness in his eyes, and I have to remind myself that he’s putting on a show for his family. The look he’s giving me is an act, and damn if he’s not nailing his role.
“Well, grab a bowl and let’s eat.” His mother smiles at us fondly, and it warms my heart to know we have their approval. I hate deceiving them, but I keep reminding myself, in the end, it will all be worth it.
“So, how long has this been a thing?” Legend’s dad asks. We’re still sitting at the dining room table, bellies full from a delicious lunch.
“A few months,” Legend answers. “It’s complicated, or at least we were trying to keep it uncomplicated, if that makes sense. Our friends are all friends with each other, and now two are married, so we wanted to make sure this was something more before we brought anyone else into it.”
“So, you’ve been sneaking around?” his mom asks, a furrow in her brow.
“Yep,” Legend answers.
“Legend!” she scolds him. “I raised you better than that. You need to treat this girl with more respect than that.”
“It’s fine. We made the decision together.” I smile at her. “Legend and I were also friends. It was all unfamiliar territory and boundaries for us, and we just wanted to learn how to navigate that before adding in pressure from friends and family.”
“And now?” his mom asks.
“And now she’s mine.” Legend reaches over and places his hand over mine that’s resting on the table.
