Erin’s cheeks turned pink. “That’s … fine.”
They walked through the parking lot to the grocery store entrance.
“Did I do it right?” Andy worried that he’d said something wrong.
“You should probably keep practicing.”
“Then let me tell you about your eyes—”
“Maybe not right now.”
“Oh,” Andy said. “Right.” He retrieved a cart.
They were halfway through the grocery store when a familiar voice trilled through the air.
“Erin, darling! What are you doing here?”
Erin’s mother, Joyce, stood behind them in the wine aisle.
Andy put down a bottle before he dropped it out of pure panic.
“Hi, Mom,” said Erin, moving to intercept her mother before she reached Andy. “This isn’t your usual grocery store.”
Joyce dodged Erin easily and confronted Andy. “And who’s this?”
Should he turn invisible on the spot? No, it would probably just make things worse.
“I’m Andy,” he said brightly.
“Andy?” Joyce looked to Erin for confirmation or explanation.
“Andy is my—” Erin stepped to Andy’s side and threaded her arm through his. “Boyfriend. Yes. Andy is my boyfriend, Mom.”
“Your boyfriend?” Joyce looked back and forth between Erin and Andy. “You never mentioned a boyfriend.” Her eyes narrowed at Andy.
Andy bared his teeth in what he hoped was a friendly, open smile. “That’s right. Erin is myinamorata.”
Erin closed her eyes. It looked like she, too, wanted to turn invisible.
“Isn’t that right, my love?” said Andy. He elbowed Erin discreetly.
“Are you from America?” asked Joyce.
“Yes,” said Erin.
“No,” said Andy, at the same time.
“I mean, yes, he’s American, but he grew up overseas,” said Erin.
“Really? Where?” said Joyce.
Andy felt Erin staring at him. “France,” he said. In a fit of inspiration, he took Joyce’s hand and bowed over it. “Enchantée, madame.”
Joyce slowly pulled back her hand. “I see. Well, this is certainly exciting. Will you be coming to church this Sunday, Erin? You could bring your new”—she paused to look Andy up and down—“boyfriend.”
“I think we might go to his church this weekend,” said Erin.
Andy’s eyes widened at Erin’s audacity.
