“I never said I’d stopped loving you, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still mad at you for the elaborate blind date disaster.” I unlock the door and tell Landen to start on his homework since we’re going out to dinner later.
“Who are you having dinner with?” Her eyes are wide open, and her jaw goes slack, so I crook my finger under her chin and close her mouth.
“The fifth-grade science teacher.” I purposely keep my voice as neutral as possible, not giving anything away. She still deserves to be punished for her deception.
“Can I dare to hope this is something akin to a date? Not just a girls’ dinner date?”
“Mommy’s going on a date with Mr. Brooks. I heard my teacher talking about it with the other second grade teachers. Miss Germann said she’s so happy Mr. Brooks is finally dating again.”
Tracy and I both stare at Landen for a full minute while he concentrates on his homework at the kitchen table. He’s oblivious to our stunned silence. My peers are discussing my personal life at work, and that makes me very uncomfortable. This is even more reason I should cancel our plans and quell the rumors before they even get started.
“Don’t you dare even think about it. You’re going to dinner with him if I have to drive you there myself.” She crosses her arms over her chest and quirks one brow.
“Fine. But only because I don’t want to hurt his feelings and I’m too tired to fight with you today.” After making a quick snack for Landen, I walk toward my bedroom to rifle through my closet for something to wear tonight. Tracy follows me, leaning against the doorframe while I rant about a lack of suitable clothing.
“Wear your black leggings with the shimmery silver top. You look extra sexy in that outfit.”
I cut my eyes toward her and decide she has a point. “What are you doing here, anyway? You’re usually still in meetings at this time of day.”
“What? I can’t stop by and see my best friend in the world whenever I want?”
Now it’s my turn to fold my arms across my chest and arch my brow at her.
“Okay, so there is something I need to talk to you about, but it can wait. Why don’t I stay here with Landen while you go meet Mr. Chemistry?”
“Seriously. What is wrong with you? Are you dying? What’s going on?”
She sighs heavily, then blurts it out all at once. “Kevin insists on meeting my family, including my parents.”
“That is the worst idea I’ve ever heard. Have you not told him about how they are yet?”
“Well, I’ve told him a little about them, but not everything. He thinks he can change their minds, make them like him even though he’s white. They’re causing problems between us and he hasn’t even met them yet. The more I resist, the more he thinks it’s because I’m ashamed of him, or that I don’t have enough faith in him, or that maybe I’m more like them than I’ll admit.” She wipes the stray tears from the corners of her eyes, holding on to the belief she has to be strong and independent at all times. “I just need some space to think, and I need you to help me talk this through. I’ll stay with Landen while you go out, then we can talk when you get home.”
“Okay, but only because I know you’re not ready to talk right now. If I push the issue, you’ll just clam up and say you’ll handle it on your own. But I will make one point I want you to think about while I’m out.
“He doesn’t think you’re like your parents or he wouldn’t be with you. The bottom line is the two of you will have to face others like them at some point. Is it possible he’s pushing this meeting because he’s insecure about your feelings? If you’ll stand by him or walk away? Maybe facing this together is what he needs to feel confident with you.”
The more I think about it, the more I’m concerned his meeting her parents will hurt Tracy as much as it will Kevin, even if the reasons differ. I’ll leave her to sort out her thoughts while I have dinner with Cam, but I already know how this scene will play out. All I can do is offer to go with them, to act as the moral support they’ll both need afterward.
Tracy and Kevin stay on my mind the entire way over to meet Cam. He’s already waiting inside the restaurant when I arrive, patiently waiting at our table with two glasses of wine. His eyes skim over me appreciatively, but not too suggestively. He stands and pulls my chair out for me. His warm and welcoming smile instantly puts me at ease.
“You take my breath away, Daisy.”
“Thank you, Cam. That’s so sweet of you to say.”
We order our food and chat while we wait, getting to know each other better. He asks about the camp programs, why I started it, and where I see it going in the future. His interest in helping seems genuine, and his enthusiasm about being part of the program brings back the initial excitement I felt when I first started it.
“You know, almost all the parents are independently wealthy. They own lucrative companies, they inherited large estates, or they work for corporations who would donate. You operate as a nonprofit, so their donations are tax deductible. I think we could share the vision with them and pick up several sponsors, maybe even enough to cover the costs for several years out.”
We’re so engrossed in conversation about the possibilities and various approaches we could use, I don’t realize we have company standing beside our table.
Then I look up into those mesmerizing blue eyes, strikingly handsome face, and chiseled body covered by a custom-tailored suit that fits his frame exquisitely.
“How are you, Daisy?” Rod is not pleased to find me
