Page 35 of Floored By Love

Luke: You sure?

Orion: Of course, she’s already asking about you.

Well, this was good timing. Orion’s mom, Cecilia, felt like more of a parent to me than mine ever did. And his sister, Nia, was hilarious. She was still in high school, but wanted to be an actress. Cecilia had some talented kids. Obviously, O was an Olympic gymnast, but he was also pre-law. He wanted to be an immigration lawyer and was probably the smartest guy on the team. He just wasn’t very confident, unless he was around his family or me.

Luke: Sounds good. Send me the details.

Other than some awkward questions about the video and my supposed rivalry with Cam, dinner with Cecilia, Nia and O was just what I needed after my dad’s voicemail.

“So, now that you’ve graduated, what do you think you’re going to do?” Cecilia asked.

“Uh, well...with a degree in biology, I was still hoping to work with animals somehow. Though with training, I’ve had no time for internships or volunteering, so without experience, I’m not sure what’s out there for me.”

“I’m sure you’ll find something, honey. You have a way about you,” she said, pointing one of her long, manicured nails at me.

“You always know the right thing to say, Mrs. Ellis.”

“I told you to call me Cecilia.”

“Okay, Cecilia, are you trying to rival Halle Berry with that new haircut of yours? Short works wonders for you. It lets those cheekbones come to life.”

“Now, you’re just asking me to marry you.” She winked.

“Oh, my god.” Nia banged her head against the table.

“How come some cute young man hasn’t scooped you up yet?” she asked me. Turning to O, she asked, “What’s wrong with you? Have you asked him out yet? Did he say ‘no’?”

“Mom, you’re embarrassing me. Luke and I are just friends.”

She turned back to me. “So, there’s no one else, Luke? I find that hard to believe.”

I shrugged. “It’s complicated, uh...my parents don’t really want me dating right now.”

“You’re a grown-ass man. What the hell do your parents have to do with it?”

She had me there. They had nothing to do with it.

Oh, fuck it.

“They didn’t approve of my last choice.”

“Mm-hmm. And what happened to him?”

“He’s...still around.”

“And do you still like him?”

I nodded.

“And does he like you?”

I bit my lip and tilted my head.

“Jeez, Ma, leave the poor guy alone. He’s dealing with enough right now.”

“Oh Nia! I’m only trying to help him, baby.”

I was done thinking. “I think he does. Still like me, that is.”