Page 97 of Only You

The server approached their table with trepidation. “Is now a good time to take your orders?”

Jack, Sue, and Tim chuckled, and Kayla gave the server a wobbly smile.

After they ordered, Sue eyed her daughter closely. “Kayla, are you okay?”

Her palms had stopped sweating, but she was still shaken by Jack’s unexpected announcement. “I’m fine, Mom. It’s just that I was planning on telling you and Dad alone first.” She turned and pinned her gaze on Jack.

“Uh-oh. I’m in trouble!” Jack joked.

Tim and Sue laughed. “She’s a spitfire, always has been,” Tim stated.

“Dad!”

“It’s true,” Sue added. “She’ll keep you on your toes.”

“I think I can handle it,” Jack said. Then he dropped a kiss on the top of Kayla’s head.

Before, she would have thought it was part of the ruse to make people believe they were a couple. Now, she knew it was a true sign of affection, and she reveled in it. The rest of their lunch date went smoothly, and Jack was his usual charming self. However, if he thought all was forgiven, he was sorely mistaken.

After lunch, the four of them walked out of the restaurant together and paused in the parking lot.

“It was nice meeting you, Jack. I hope we’ll see you again soon,” Sue said.

“You’re welcome to join us on Christmas Eve,” Tim added.

“That’s the day our family gets together,” Sue explained.

“I’ll let you know,” Kayla answered for Jack.

A few minutes later, they climbed into Jack’s car and drove away.

“That went well!” Jack proclaimed.

“Mmm-hmm,” Kayla said.

“I think they really like me.”

“Mmm-hmm,” she repeated.

At a stoplight, Jack cast her a confused glance. “Is something wrong?”

“Well, let’s see. I specifically asked you not to tell my parents about our new relationship status, but you proceeded to tell them everything.”

“Not everything. I left out the passionate details.”

“Thank you for that,” she said sarcastically.

“I’m sorry, but you have to admit, things went a lot smoother after I told them.”

Kayla sighed, knowing she couldn’t argue with that.

“I didn’t want to leave your parents with a bad impression of me,” Jack continued.

“The fact that they invited you to Christmas Eve dinner says a lot,” Kayla remarked.

“Then why aren’t you happy?” Jack asked.

It was almost impossible to stay mad at him. “I am happy. I just wasn’t prepared to share everything all at once,” Kayla said.