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“I mean it!”
She blushed hard but was grinning. I couldn’t believe how much she had grown up and was stepping into her own. Just yesterday, we were playing dress up.
“I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“So, Cara, sweetheart…” Mom shifted the conversation without much of a segue. She glanced at Dad and then back to me. “How’s work?”
“Mmm. It’s good.”
Dad raised an eyebrow. “Must be since your boss is giving you small investments in the form of wine…”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Daddy?”
He cleared his throat. “Just saying, most people would just apologize. Not buy you off with —”
“Oh, please, he wasn’t buying me off. He’s a nice guy. He’s generous. We have a rapport. Alright?”
I could hear the alarm bells going off in my dad’s head. “What kind of ‘rapport’?”
“Like a normal rapport! What is with you guys?”
Mom tried to be more delicate. “A hundred-fifty-dollar wine is not a normal rapport, pumpkin.”
I dropped my fork and sighed. “Look, I know you guys are just looking out for me, but Wesley’s a really nice guy. He knew I had plans, he was sorry, he gave me this wine as a peace offering. That’s not some psycho businessman machination.”
“He’s got money and he’s a man, Cara. And you’re a beautiful young woman. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for us to be worried about this man’s character.”
Katie stepped in to stand up for me. “This is ridiculous. If Wesley was a woman, you wouldn’t be worried about this. Besides, Cara’s a grown woman. If she wants to —”
“Katie! That isnot helping!” I ran my hands over my face. “Nothing’s going on. Nothingwillgo on. I promise you, we’re just friends. The only thing we care about is Lucy’s well-being. And if he wants to give me a bottle of wine, he can give me a bottle of wine.” The room went quiet. I was being awfully defensive…trying to cover up any cracks in my story. “I don’t even think you said thank you.”
Mom and Dad both went silent and looked at the unopen bottle of wine. Mom touched Dad’s wrist and smiled pleasantly at me. “You’re right. That was very generous of him.”
Dad huffed and grumbled something under his breath. Then he looked up at me. He was going to set aside this argument for now, for the sake of the family dinner. But I could tell he wasn’t done thinking about it. Not by a long shot. “Yes, very generous.”
“It seems like he’s a very respectful man. And if so, maybe you should focus some of your energy off all your work and put it onto…” Mom trailed off and shrugged plainly. “Dating.”
Both Katie and I groaned.Solidarity, sister. “These conversations are getting old and boring.” Katie started collecting finished plates from the table.
“Oh, Katie. I’m just saying. It’s been a while since you’ve brought a young man home, Cara. Maybe it’d be nice to find someone to be able to lean on…in that way. You know. And then none of us have to worry about anyone being inappropriate.”
I rubbed my eyes. “First of all, finding someone to date isn’t like going to the store, Mother.”
She laughed. “I know that.”
“Second, I’ve got too much on my plate.”
“Then let us do some of the work for you!” Dad now was excitedly taking the reins of the conversation. “We’ve been putting a good word in with the Mordens, you’ve been spending more time with Danny, and —”
“Okay, you know what, I’m done. Thanks for dinner. Keep the wine.” I pushed myself out from the table and started for the front door.
Both my parents jumped to their feet and followed me. “Honey, he’s a good boy!”
“It sounds like you’re talking about a dog, not a man, Mom.”
“He’s got a good job. He’s your age. He could support you. Why are you so averse to that?” Dad got to the front door before me so I couldn’t leave.
