I know seeing Isaac with me must be hitting her pretty hard, since I’ve never had an official boyfriend. She probably can’t believe I wound up in an actual relationship. But what I have with Isaac is anything but normal, and probably never will be.
“Mom,” I say, swallowing back a tide of emotion, “this is Isaac, my-“
A quick pinch on the ass from Isaac reminds me to be careful of what I say next, and my cheeks burn with fire, my heart pounding from the oh shit moment. I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to make a mistake, but Isaac steps in.
“Boyfriend.” It’s such a strange word, especially coming from his lips.
“Boyfriend,” I agree quickly, hoping my mom doesn’t notice my flub. “Isaac is my boyfriend.” Boyfriend. I can’t believe that word just came out of my mouth. It sounds alien, and it certainly doesn’t fit the description of what Isaac is to me. Nor the name I call him every night. And he sure as fuck isn’t a boy.
My mom can’t keep the shock from her face as she extends her hand in greeting. It’s like she thinks Isaac must be a hologram that’s going to vanish at any second. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Isaac. Kat told me that she had someone new in her life, but she didn’t tell me that you were so handsome.” She shakes her head and gives me a look.
Isaac takes her extended hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Herrington. I see who Kat inherited her beauty from.”
My mom turns a furious shade of crimson. A warm sensation flows through my chest at her expression. I haven’t seen her light up like that in… well, I don’t remember when. And I must say that I’m impressed by Isaac’s demeanor and charm in front of my mother; he’s nothing like he is when he’s at the club where everything revolves around sex. It’s a side of him that makes me curious. I like his charm, but it has me wondering how much of this is an act.
“Oh stop it,” Mom says when she can finally find words, waving away Isaac’s compliment and chuckling nervously, trying to hide her embarrassment. She turns and motions us toward the living room. “Please, come and meet the rest of the family.”
Isaac looks over at me and winks before we follow her into the living room. I’m really liking this side of him. He wraps his arm around my waist, and the display of affection catches me off guard. But In a good way though. It’s just something I wasn’t expecting.
The minute we step into the room, I’m greeted by the sight of my family huddled together and overwhelmed by everyone talking at once as they rush forward to greet me.
“Well, long time no see, Katia!” My father’s voice comes from across the room as my sister hugs me, saying softly in my ear, “It’s so good to see you!”
“It’s been too long.” The voices seem to blend as I imagine turning right around and leaving. Of course I don’t, and instead I plaster a smile on my face, hugging each person in turn.
“Why, you look like you’ve lost so much weight!”
And from my cousin Lyssa, “Who’s the hot guy?”
I’m surrounded by relatives, each one pulling me into one hug after another, telling me how much they love me and how happy they are to see me. I have to once again start chanting to myself, trying to keep my emotions in check. I try to answer every one the best as I can, almost becoming dizzy with confusion from all the questions, and not even knowing who’s talking to me. I think I count ten people in the room, several aunts, uncles and cousins who are around my age. But the last person to come to me is someone I’ve been avoiding just as much as my mother.
“Hello, pumpkin,” Dad says, holding his arms out to me. He’s dressed in grey slacks, matching tie and a white dress shirt. Like my mom, he’s aged quite a bit with his almost fully grey hair and a spider web of wrinkles around his eyes. He worried himself to death over my disappearance. “God, how I’ve missed you.”
Once again, it’s an effort not to just break down and I know if I let out one sob, one sigh even, it’s over for me. I have to keep reminding myself of Isaac’s words. You’re going to perfect for me, kitten. If I can get through this without turning into a complete mess, I know I’ll be rewarded. It’ll make him happy. It’s my job to please him. I cling to that fact, letting it be my strength to pull through, letting it be my armor.
“I’ve missed you too, Dad,” I say, my voice heavy with emotion, but not in danger of cracking as he pulls me into his arms for a fierce bear hug, kissing me multiple times on my cheek and telling me how much he loves me, much in the same way Mom did.
When he’s done showering me with affection, he pulls back and eyes Isaac with slight apprehension, his body language instantly changing and on edge.
He’s definitely not giving Isaac the warm welcome my mother gave, but I understand why. “Who’s this young man?”
I open my mouth to tell him, but Isaac steps forward, extending a hand. “Isaac Rocci, your daughter’s new boyfriend.” Just hearing the word boyfriend come from Isaac’s lips again nearly causes me to swoon. I just can’t get used to thinking about him in that context. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Herrington.” Isaac’s words are smooth and confident as he places a hand on my lower back, sending a subtle but powerful message to my father.
My body tingles with the wave of anxiety. This is something I hadn’t anticipated. I didn’t give any thought to it whatsoever.
My dad seems taken aback by Isaac’s boldness for a moment, his mouth opening and closing several times before he takes Isaac’s hand and shakes it. “It’s a pleasure.” I’m not sure, but I think Dad’s respect for Isaac has gone up several notches, which is surprising. I half expected him to challenge Isaac to a duel right then and there.
“Now,” says Lyssa as she steps forward and playfully pokes me in the arm, “Kat, can you please tell me where you found Isaac?” She shakes her head and pretends to wipe imaginary sweat from her brow. “Because Lord Jesus, please tell me there’s more where he came from.”
My mother snickers, and my aunts erupt with laughter in the corner of the room and even I have to chuckle a little, my face turning red and my mood slightly lifting. Somehow I know one of my crazy aunts put Lyssa up to it.
“So, how did you two meet?” Dad asks as everyone settles in their seats. He’s sitting across from us in a loveseat with Mom, leaning forward with intense interest, his elbows resting on his knees.
“At a business club,” Isaac says easily.
Dad furrows his brow and asks, “A what?”
Isaac nods. “It’s a business club, for young entrepreneurs. It’s a place where likeminded, business-driven individuals can come together and share tips and ideas to help drive sales and success.” Isaac sits back easily in the seat, and I watch him with interest. I’ve never seen him speak like this. It’s different. “I own my own security company, and Katia runs her own business with the dogs. We didn’t have much in common in terms of business needs but I gravitated toward her. She's strong, and smart. Independent.” Isaac smiles at me. “The first time I laid eyes on her, I knew she was something special. But when I heard her speak, the sound of her voice...” Isaac looks at me, rubbing my back and causing warmth to spread up and down my torso. I’m just sitting here awkwardly, blushing like a fiend, and with a stupid look on my face. “...She had me sold.” I almost choke on the irony of his words.