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“Uh, what are you guys doing for dinner?”
“Oh, the O’Malleys invited us for dinner,” she said, smiling. “We leave in thirty minutes. It’s nothing formal.”
“Actually, I’ll be staying in. I’ve invited Emilie over for dinner.”
Her eyes lit up. “That was fast.”
“Please tell me you did a grocery order?” I quietly begged.
“As a matter of fact, I did,” she said, smiling. “Do you plan on ordering something in?”
“I was thinking about grilling,” I said. “She’s never had barbecue—likeourbarbecue.”
“Oh, I knew your father would want to grill, so I had the housekeeper pick up some T-bones along with the usual seasonings and sides.”
“So, it’s cool if I stay and cook for her?” I asked eagerly.
“Theo, of course,” she said, smiling.
I kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mom. You’re my hero.”
I wasn’t sorry I practically pushed them out of the house. Victoria fussed but we both knew she was going to go. I had decided to make a classic barbecue dinner on the wood grill. My dad preferred wood over charcoal or gas.
By the time Emilie arrived, the grill was already fired up, and the scent of sizzling steak filled the air. I greeted her with a warm smile and a bottle of red wine, a gesture to complement our meal.
“Welcome,” I said, stepping aside to let her enter. “I hope you’re hungry. You’re about to eat like an American.”
Emilie’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the grill and the spread I had prepared. “This looks amazing, Theo. You’ve outdone yourself.”
I felt a sense of pride at her appreciation. It was my way of showing her how much she meant to me. It was all about giving her a glimpse into my world.
We found ourselves seated at the small, candlelit table on the patio. The sounds of nature serenaded us from all sides.
We began our meal with a toast, clinking our glasses together. “To your first grilled steak,” I said.
“I’ve had grilled steak,” she said, laughing.
“Not like this,” I said. “Not on an actual grill. There’s just something different when you cook in the backyard.”
The first bite of steak melted in our mouths. I watched as she chewed.
“Well?” I asked.
“It’s delicious, but I’m sure you know that.”
“My dad is a grill master,” I said. “In the States, it’s a very competitive sport.”
Emilie chuckled. “I had no idea grilling was such a big deal in the States.”
“Oh, it’s huge,” I said. “There are even competitions where people travel from all over the country to compete.”
As we continued to eat, the conversation flowed easily between us. We talked about everything from our favorite foods to our hopes and dreams for the future. It was easy to be with Emilie, and I found myself feeling more and more comfortable in her company.
After we finished our meal, we went to sit by the small pond on the property.
“Where is your family?” she asked.
“They had a dinner invitation,” I answered. “And I’m sure you know where Jack is.”
