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“Well, you are – but that’s okay,” Toby began, smiling and leaning forward, resting his head on his knuckles as he stared at her uncle perceptively. “We don’t mind because then the report to Samantha’s father will be a first-hand accounting, unscripted, completely innocent, and just maybe it will result in getting everyone off of our backs. Besides, the night is young, and our evening just started…”
“Oh?” Hunter goaded slyly – only to wince as her aunt kicked him audibly under the table. She heard the contact and Samantha looked at Glory, who was sitting there innocently and studying the menu… which was upside down in her hands. “Where are you two lovebirds headed off to next?”
“If you think I’m telling you? You’re dreaming,” Toby grinned. “But I will give you this tidbit to absorb and do with, however you please. I plan on driving Samantha home later, walking her to the front door, and saying goodnight. So, if her dad or you want to be lurking in the bushes to see if I will kiss her, go ahead.”
“And will you? Should we be lurking, as you put it?” Hunter grinned.
“Good question,” Samantha asked curiously, looking at Toby in surprise.
“And it’s time to order,” Toby smiled, looking up at the waitress.
Twenty minutes later, they were eating pizza silently at the table.
Samantha couldn’t believe how uncomfortable all of this was – and was ready to throw something. How was she ever supposed to talk to Toby, get to know him better, or just try to build a relationship, if there was always someone there, getting in the way?
“Oh my gosh,” she uttered aloud in awareness, looking at her uncle, as her mother’s words came back to haunt her. He’d done the very same thing when her dad was trying to date her mom. “You are all starting this all over again, aren’t you?”
“Hmm?” Hunter said innocently, taking a bite of the pizza.
“You’re uncomfortable with me dating Toby, aren’t you? It’s not my dad – it’s you,” she asked in disbelief and feeling a little taken aback.
She had always been so close to her aunt and uncle – and now she was feeling the sting of betrayal. In fact, it was Glory’s lap she’d cried upon all those years ago when she was so upset about that painful first kiss and not sure how to hide her torn lip from her parents.
“Oh, it’s your dad, too,” Hunter muttered. “It’s the one thing we actually agree on.”
“Why?” Toby asked before Samantha could get the question out.
“Because we’ve known you both your entire lives, and it’s just weird seeing you two developing more than a friendship. I mean, you are kids.”
“We’re twenty-nine, Uncle Hunter…”
“I’d like to volunteer that this was not my idea,” Glory muttered painfully – only to see her uncle look at her aunt in disbelief.
“Really, babe?” her uncle turned to look at his wife, frowning.
“Let’s just go… please?” Glory asked him – and she heard her uncle sigh heavily, as he got to his feet.
“It’s a good thing that your beautiful aunt is the romantic type,” Hunter began, and turned to Toby, leaning over the table and sticking his finger in his face. “No kissing, zero petting, and don’t you dare knock her up or I’ll break your face…”
Toby shot to his feet faster than Samantha could react to her uncle’s horrifically embarrassing words. His chair scraped audibly, and everyone got quiet in the restaurant as the two men stared at each other, glaring confrontationally.
“I will thank you to watch your mouth regarding Samantha, get your finger out of my face, and realize that you have no say in our relationship in the slightest. Am I clear, Mr. Petersen?”
Stunned, she flushed at the intense anger and protectiveness in Toby’s angry face that matched her uncle’s… only to see her uncle’s face soften as he smiled.
“I like you, kiddo,” Hunter began. “You’ll definitely do.”
“Excuse me?” Toby began, deflating visibly in confusion.
“You just passed,” Hunter informed Toby, clapping him on the back. “Chip off the ol’ block, apparently. Everyone will leave you two alone – I promise. Just try not to give her father a heart attack, okay, kiddo?”
“I’d like his approval towards me dating his daughter, not his anger,” Toby uttered, his cheeks flush with ruddy color.
“I’m pretty sure Thumper will be just fine,” Hunter laughed, shaking his head. “Gosh, this was the best entertainment I’ve had in a while. C’mon, Glory. Let’s get a blizzard from the D.Q. on the way home.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” her aunt whispered, bending over to hug her. “Boys will be boys… and remember that your family loves you very much.”
Samantha sat there, taken aback as her family left the restaurant, and Toby took his seat nervously. He cleared his throat, stared down at his plate, and hesitated for several minutes before speaking.
