She looked down at the notes in front of her. “Oh, yes. They’ve already been seated in our private room. Please follow me, and I’ll take you back.”
We walked behind her, our hands still joined as she led us through the busy dining room. She stopped at the open doorway of the reserved space and peeked inside.
“It looks like you need another chair, I’ll have someone bring one over. Enjoy your dinner.”
When my parents were making reservations for my celebratory dinner, they’d asked if I was bringing anyone with me. I was pretty sure they’d been hinting to meet my boyfriend since I’d promised them they could meet him at graduation. But at the time, Hayden and I were broken up so I told them I’d be on my own. Thankfully, they hadn’t pushed for more information.
“Let’s do this.” I squeezed Hayden’s fingers gently, and he smiled in return.
We stepped inside to a chorus of cheers and shouts of congratulations, but as quickly as it started, it came to an abrupt halt as everyone’s eyes fell to where I held onto Hayden.
“Tyler.” My dad narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on?”
I swallowed hard. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Hayden.”
The room stayed quiet as they continued to stare. Cammie was the first to break the silence. “You’re dating your professor?”
“He’s not my professor anymore,” I pointed out.
The busser came in and placed another chair next to the only open one. I led Hayden over and we took the seats across from my dads.
“Well, Hayden, let me introduce you to several people you haven’t officially met yet.” Chase went around the table and introduced everyone.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Hayden said to the group and then turned to my father. “I’m sure this comes as a huge surprise.”
“You can say that again,” Dylan whispered with a chuckle, and I elbowed him in the ribs.
“Is this some sort of joke?” my dad asked. “Because I gotta say I don’t find it funny at all.”
“Gage,” Chase muttered. “I’m sure Tyler can explain.”
I gave Chase a small smile before answering. “It’s not a joke. Hayden and I are together.”
Dad glared at Hayden. “So, you don’t think it’s a problem to be dating a student? Is this something you do often?”
“Dad, stop.”
“It’s okay.” Hayden squeezed my leg under the table and responded to my father, “I’m sure I’d be asking the same thing if I was in your position. I understand this looks bad.” I huffed, but he continued. “I’ve never dated a student before. In fact, I didn’t know Tyler was in my class when we first met. After we found out I was his teacher, we tried to keep our distance, but we couldn’t deny our feelings for each other.”
“I think it’s great,” Jamie piped up, causing both of my dads to gape at her.
“You think it’s great that he took advantage of his position and pursued our son?” Dad countered.
I threw my hands in the air. “He didn’t take advantage of anything. I love him.”
“You do?” Chase asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. He’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“I love him too,” Hayden acknowledged to everyone, but his gaze never left mine.
“That’s so sweet,” my grandmother gushed at Hayden. “Tyler’s grandfather and I met in college too.”
“Mom, that’s not the same thing. Hayden isn’t a student,” Dad argued.
Grandma shrugged. “Semantics.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. I loved my grandmother.
