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That is a big question. Does Mom have something up her sleeve or is it just dinner? Do I bring Laina and try to ease that situation?
“I probably could. What are you thinking?” I ask carefully, as Laina frowns at me.
“There’s a new place that opened last weekend and your father can get reservations. He says it’s a steak place.” Mom replies, and I wait. “Tomorrow night? Early?”
“That could work,” I agree, staring at Laina as she shifts in her chair. “Can you make it for four people?”
“The reservation?” Mom asks.
“Yes. I am good with any time for dinner.” There’s a pause at the other end of the line and I wait for her to say something.
“Are you planning to bring Laina with you? That’s still going on?” Mom asks, disappointment in her voice.
“It hasn’t been that long, and yes. We’re still together.”
“I suppose that will be fine. I’ll send you a message with the time and restaurant when we know more.” Mom sounds tired and I want to laugh at her.
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll look for it.” I end the call and Laina stares at me with wide eyes. “We’re having dinner tomorrow night.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she squeaks, leaning back in the chair.
“If we’re moving towards an engagement, they must get used to this. What better way to prove that we’re real to them?” I ask her as she stills. I want my parents to accept Laina, and we need to push for that.
“Fine. I’ll need to be home for something to wear, so maybe we should go there soon.” She tells me, reaching for her coffee to take a sip.
There’s a cloud that hangs over the weekend, but we leave to go to her house and give her time to get ready. Laina dresses in jeans and a sweater to ward off the chilly breeze before we head out to explore the city for the day.
This time, I take her to a little Greek place for dinner after we’ve explored some fresh places. She asks me if I want to spend the night with her on the way to the car and I stop walking, looking at her as she turns around.
“Of course,” I assure her as our eyes meet. “Don’t you?”
“I do. I thought you might need a break.” I crush my mouth to hers as I press her against the wall of the restaurant, needing Laina to stop this thought process. I missed her all week and while it’s hard to form words to explain that to her, she needs to have a hint.
The next night, we go to get Laina’s car so she can get ready for dinner with my parents. I’m wearing black slacks and a green button-up since this is supposed to be a nice place and Laina comes into the living room in a long pale pink dress and black heels. It’s dressy without being stuffy and looks amazing on her curves.
We leave and she’s quiet on the way as I take her hand.
“It’s going to be fine. If it isn’t, we leave.” I tell her and she nods, staring forward at the city.
It’s crowded when we arrive, and I look around for my parents as Laina clings to my hand. Dad is across the lobby and waves at me, and I make my way through the crowd.
“I guess business is good?” I ask him, shaking his hand with my free one.
“Looks that way.” He smiles at me and then looks past me at Laina. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“It is.” Laina smiles, but it’s fake and I consider just leaving. Mom appears beside Dad, pulling me into a hug as I’m forced to let go of Laina’s hand. This is aggressive for her, and I pull away, frowning at her.
“Kyle. I ran into the Lawsons. I thought we could enjoy dinner together.” She smiles and my heart drops. Sarah Lawson was my high school girlfriend and while both families hoped for a wedding, things fizzled out in the middle of senior year. I had no desire to play catch up with them and I glanced at Laina.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mom,” I say, looking into her eyes with a firm gaze. “Let’s just keep it to the four of us.”
“You and Sarah were glued to the hip in school. It’ll be lovely to all catch up.” Mom says as I turn to look at Laina, seeing her face fall. “She graduated from Harvard recently and she’s doing so well.”
I have a feeling that Mom set this up on purpose, hoping I wouldn’t bring Laina. She probably wants me and Sarah to go back to what she thinks we were, but there wasn’t a strong connection. We were kids that dated for a couple of years and broke up.
“You can bring any woman to dinner, but nothing will change the fact I’m with Laina. I’d get used to that if I were you and next time you make dinner plans with us, stick to them.” I turn to Laina, taking her hand as I lead the way to the door, hearing my parents calling my name. “Fuck.” As we walk out front, cameras flash.
I duck my head and pull her to the car, speeding out of the parking lot once we’re inside.
