“Duly noted,” he promises her, flashing her an authentic smile. When his attention lands on me it becomes even brighter. He always looks at me like I’m a prize, when I consider myself the winner.
“Tell him Megan, these people around here can strip a car faster than the clothes off a whore.”
We both laugh but she isn’t kidding.
“We’re about to head out anyway,” I remind her.
“Have fun and don’t be nervous—they’re going to love you,” she whispers in my ear with a quick hug. Once we’re outside Kam pulls me to him and kisses me. It’s quick but greedy, then he rests his forehead on mine like the two days we’ve been apart have been two weeks, but two days has been the longest time we’ve been apart since we met. We both had projects due and Kam had to help his dad with some project at one of his dad’s companies.
“I missed you,” he whispers huskily. I squeeze him tighter, letting him know I feel the same. Once we’re in the car he hands me a cream soda and strawberry shortcake. My face lights up. They’re my absolute two favorite things in the world. When I was twelve there was a candy store that was only a block away from where I lived at the time. I’d save up all the money I could find from loose change on the street, or doing other kids’ chores, and buy myself that exact combination. I told Kam about it on our second date, and he hid it away for the perfect moment. I tear into it greedily, making sure not to spill any on my light-colored dress.
“My mom is so excited to see you. I told you how obsessed you are with sweets so don’t be surprised if she has a table full for you.”
“For me? She didn’t have to do that, I didn’t want her to go out of her way,” I tell him, embarrassed. He reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“She didn’t. My mom’s been looking forward to this brunch since you agreed to come,” He promises me, and from the way he’s beaming he has been too. My skin flushes.
The clock is ticking.
His parents’ house isn’t a house, it’s a mansion. Beautiful brown brick at least three stories and it causes my heart to catch in my throat. I should have been warned when we had to go through a large black gate just to get there, this is real life; it isn’t the movies and my boyfriend’s parents live here. I don’t know what I expected but not this. Not this at all. Kam’s parents aren’t just rich, they’re wealthy.
“You grew up here?” I ask, my voice sounding wobbly as we walk towards the house.
“This is home,” he says easily. I feel my lips press tightly together. Gosh, I’m not ready for this.
“Wow!” I can’t help but let it escape my mouth. Kam gives me a sheepish smile, squeezes my hand, and kisses it as we pull in. I don’t know why I expected him to ring the bell and I’d have time to prepare myself as his parents greeted us at the door. Kam has a key but he doesn’t need it since the door is open. The moment I step in I’m more impressed than I was when we pulled up to it. The house is breathtaking—the foyer larger and grand, with two staircases leading to the top. I remind myself to not allow my mouth to hang open like a dog, but I’m in awe. It’s all creams and soft whites and a majestic chandelier right at the top in the middle. I bet the tile on the floor is worth more money than I’ve seen in my lifetime.
“Kameron. So good to see you.” A small older woman with dark blonde hair and grey streaks swept into a ponytail appears from one of the large doorways.
“Ellie. You look beautiful,” he says, enveloping her in a big hug. She turns to me, her smile bright and friendly.
“Ellie this is my girlfriend Megan,” he says, beaming proudly.
“Hi Ellie.” I extend my hand but she pulls me into a hug.
“You are gorgeous!”
“Thank you so much.” I smile, not sure how to follow that up.
“I’ve been taking care of this little prince since before his first tooth fell out. I was his nanny and now the housekeeper, and hopefully one day I’ll be changing his little one’s diapers.” She laughs, nudging him.
“Ellie,” he says in a playful warning tone.
“Everyone is in the back. Katie and Joshua are already here.”
I breathe a sigh of relief that Blue’s in attendance.
“Do you want a quick tour or to be led out to the slaughter?” he says playfully, and my face goes pale.
“Oh honey, don’t let him scare you. No slaughter, just brunch!” she says warmly.
“I’m sort of hungry now,” I say as easily as I can.
Blue.
Orange.
Grey.
The yard is sprawling and decked with white lawn furniture. There’s a buffet table of food already laid out. At a large table already sits an older couple across from Katie and Blue.
“Cinderella’s finally made it to the party,” Katie enthuses. My nerves flinch until I realize she’s talking to Kam.
“What can I say? The pumpkin broke down,” he counters. The couple turns towards us and if I didn’t know they were Kam’s parents before, I do when I see them. They’re beautifully elegant, mid-fifties, casually relaxed, and wearing welcoming smiles. They stand to greet us followed by Katie and Blue. I notice he’s dressed, understandably a little more conservatively, in a white polo and khakis draped over his tall lean frame. But he’s still unapologetically edgy with the mohawk still there and the tats…of course, still the star of his own show.
“We have been dying to meet you!” his mom says as she reaches out to hug me, an authentic smile on her face. It’s warm and genuinely welcoming.
“Mom and Dad, this is Megan. Megan, this is my mother Carolyn and my dad Richard,” Kam says proudly.
“Its so great to meet you,” his dad says, giving me a hug as well. It can’t be this easy. The smiles and warm gestures are all directed at me. No condescending tones or scrutinizing glares? They greet Kam with hugs and smiles just as they do me, like they haven’t seen their son in years. Kam and I sit in the two seats between the two couples. Ellie is beside us in a flash pouring us glasses of what looks like iced tea. Kam’s mom tells her not to fuss and join us, which she does. I take in the large landscape. To call it a yard would be an understatement. Kam takes my hand in his and I can’t help but beam at him. I’m here. A huge step made and I don’t feel like it will end in disaster.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Carolyn says warmly, and I see where Kam got his eyes from. She’s all elegance and warmth, long dark brown hair the same color as Kam’s, and soft features.
“You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you dear. You are just stunning!” she says in response, and my cheeks heat up.
“You’re embarrassing the girl, sweetheart.” Richard joins in and I’m looking at the image of what Kam will look like in twenty years. The same strong jaw, thick brows, great smile. The only difference is that he shares Katie’s light blonde hair.
“Thank you. I see where Kam got his good looks from,” I tell them both and they laugh graciously.
“So you’re graduating in Katie’s class Megan?” Carolyn asks.
“Yes, a year behind Kam.”