"And I know you and I, we have tried to one-up each other and we've got the sass back and forth, and I love our banter, but I do want more. And I don't know if this was a game to you. I don't know if you just wanted to try and fuck with your dad's best friend and see where it went or if you truly have feelings for me." He stared at me for a couple of seconds and I felt my heart racing.
"So do you have anything to say, Shelby?"
"I really like you, Sam. Yeah, at first I just thought you were super hot and I wanted to bang you." I heard my mom gasp and I made a face. "Sorry, mom. I guess I should watch my language in front of you, but it's true. He's hot."
"I know he's hot," she said, glaring.
"But anyway, sorry, Mom. But yeah, at first I was just thinking to myself, I'd like to date an old man. The college guys I've dated are idiots and I thought I'd shoot my shot. And you turned out to be really funny and really fun and just a really good time in more ways than one." I heard my mom gasp again and I giggled. Sam rolled his eyes at me and I shrugged.
"What? Aren't I supposed to be honest?"
"Yes, Shelby," he said in a soft voice. I could see his blue eyes were laughing at me and it made me feel good inside.
"And then as we spent more and more time together, I realized that this was more than just a physical thing, and I wanted it to be a real relationship. You know I wanted to go on dates in public and to dinners and just to have fun."
"And I want that as well," he said, grabbing my hand and nodding.
"So we're going to do this for real then?"
"I would like to, but..." He paused and looked at my parents. "I can't do it without your parents' blessing."
I stared at my mom and my dad. I could tell that my dad was okay with it, but he was looking at my mom.
"It's really up to your mom, Shelby. Sam's my best friend. I love him. You're my daughter. I love you. I just want you both to be happy, but this is really up to your mom."
My heart sank. I had a feeling I knew exactly what my mom was going to say. She would say, "Hell no." I knew she didn't want to see me happy. Especially with a man like Sam. She sighed and I watched as she thought for a couple of minutes.
"This is really, really a difficult situation that you've all put me in. And to say I'm shocked is an understatement. And to say I'm saddened and slightly..." My dad squeezed her hand and she paused.
"Well, let's just say that this is not the situation I would have liked to have seen myself in. And Sam is not the man I would've liked to have seen you with, Shelby. However, given that you are my daughter and I love you, and this is the most honest and open I've ever seen you when talking about a relationship, and I see the way you look at Sam and I see the way Sam looks at you and, well, Sam's a good man. Yes. I know he's been a bit of a player." She stared at him. "And I know you're not going to treat my daughter the way you treat those other women."
"Cross my heart. Hope to die," Sam said, putting his fingers up in a Boy Scout salute.
"Yes. Well," my mom said, shaking her head, "if you two think this is real, I'm not going to stop you. I'm not going to come in the way of true love." She side. "I mean, there was a time when I..." She paused and looked at my dad. My dad frowned.
"There was a time when you what, dear?"
"Nothing," she said quickly. "Anyway, Shelby, Sam, I give you my permission. However..."
"Yes, Mom," I said.
"Please do not be physical in the same house as us. If I have to see my daughter in bed with a man again, I just don't think I could cope. I don't think I could not have a nervous breakdown."
"I'm sorry, Mom," I said, "but thank you. It means a lot that you support us. And Dad, well, you know I love Sam and I love you as well."
"I guess I'll have to deal with it if my kids' kids end up being my best friend's kids too. It would be kind of nice to have Sam in the family."
"Dad," I said, laughing. “Stop trying to pressure us into getting married already. We haven't even been on an official first date.
"Well, I don't know about that," Sam said with a smile. "Remember when I took you to..." I glared at him and he just started laughing.
"Okay. Maybe I won't have that conversation here."
"Yeah. Maybe not."
"Well, I think that your mom and I should go," my dad said, pulling his chair back. "I think you and Sam have things you need to talk about."
"Actually, I think Shelby should come with us," my mom said, folding her arms. "I think it's time for you to go home and..."
"I want to stay here tonight, Mom. And I am an adult and I'm not actually asking your permission." She pressed her lips together and looked at my dad and he shrugged.
"Well, fine. I don't have to like it, but I guess I can deal with it."
"Thanks, Mom." I walked over and gave her a hug. She smiled at me for a couple of seconds.
"I will say, you do have good taste though."
"Thanks, mom," I said. I walked over and gave my dad a hug and he gave me a kiss on the forehead.
"You have a good evening, sweet pea."
"You too, Dad," I said. My dad walked over to Sam and shook his hand.
"Now, Sam, you might be my best friend, but I will blow your fucking brains out if you hurt my daughter." My eyes widened as I stared at my dad. He wasn't joking. His expression was extremely serious and I just couldn't believe it. Sam nodded.
"I understand. And trust me, I will never hurt Shelby."
My mom and Sam hugged and then they exited the apartment. I stood there for a couple of seconds and looked at Sam.
"So Shelby," he said, walking over to me.
"Yes, Sam?"
"Did you or did you not plan for us to get caught fucking?"
"No," I said with a small smile. "I mean, I invited you into the bedroom so you could watch me playing with myself. I had no idea that you..." He growled and pulled me into his arms and kissed me hard.
"I fucking love you, Shelby. I will always love you, forever and a day. You're perfect for me."
Chapter Thirty-One
Six months later.
"I can't believe I'm a college graduate and I'm moving into a new house with my boyfriend." I stared at Sam who was packing up a box in the corner of his bedroom.
"Yeah, I guess things really do change quickly." He looked up at me and I smiled indulgently at him.
"You're okay with everything going this fast, aren't you?” I walked over to him, swaying my hips from side to side. He took a step towards me and reached his arms out and grabbed me. He pulled me in towards him and kissed me on the lips lightly.
"I'm more than happy that things are going so quickly. In fact, I would marry you tomorrow if you didn't want to have such a big wedding."
"Yeah. Well, I'm only getting married once," I said with a smile. "I need the venue of my choice, the wedding dress of my choice."