I just don’t know.
I make my way downstairs, my emotions in overdrive with a mixture of anger and disappointment. Anger at finding out who is stealing my clients and disappointment because I’m losing confidence in myself.
I’m going to dinner with my parents at a restaurant in Totara Park, Upper Hutt. I’m looking forward to seeing them. Though my dad did mention he wanted me to bring Jake tonight, I don’t want them to meet him until I know what we are or at least know if we’re in a relationship or not. I know they’ll have to meet him regardless, but I feel as though we’re not ready for that step just yet.
I get to the restaurant and make my way inside. My parents are already seated in the room. I wave as my dad looks at me. I make my way over and pull out a chair to sit down.
“Hi sweetie, how are you?” my dad asks.
“Fine. Hungry mainly.” I laugh.
He looks at me, smiling. “Don’t panic, we’ll get you both something to eat soon enough. How did the scan go the other day?”
“Great.” I pull out a present for my parents. It’s a onesie we bought to reveal the gender to them. I hand it to my mum, who literally tears the package open.
“It’s a girl? Oh, Stephanie, I’m thrilled for you! A boy would’ve been nice, but a girl is just as great.” My mum gushes.
My dad swells with pride as he looks over the onesie. He places it onto the table and squeezes me in a huge bear hug.
Pulling back, he looks at me with a concerned face. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Not really. I lost the last client from my last wedding show today.”
“Hey, chin up my girl. You’re a great designer, and they’ll come crawling back.”
“Your dad is right, honey. They’re all fools to walk away from you,” my mum agrees.
“Thanks, guys.”
My dad picks up his beer and takes a sip. “So where is Jake tonight? Too afraid to come, was he?”
Before I can answer, however, the doors to the restaurant open and in walks Jake; alone and a look of determination on his face as he walks over to talk to Jessa, the owner of the place. I watch his interaction with her as he gives her one of his famous panty-dropping grins.
Is there something I should be worried about?
As if he knows I’m looking, he turns his head. His smile widens, showing off his pearly white teeth before he strides his way over to our table.
God help me!
Chapter Twenty-One
Jake
Crossing the room, I swear I see Stephanie shrink into her seat. I need to make sure she hasn’t heard anything of what I spoke to Jessa about since it’s about our date next week. I want it to be special and just for her.
She stands, and I wrap my arms around her.
“Fancy seeing you here.” I chuckle, kissing her on the lips in a kiss I never expected to be so heated.
She pulls back, looking up at me with her doe eyes. “Why are you here?”
I inhale. “I had hoped this might be a surprise, but I’m arranging our date for next week. I’d hoped you wouldn’t find out.”
“It’s okay. You didn’t know I was coming here to eat tonight.”
A man coughs behind her, and she spins around.
“Are you going to introduce us?” he asks Stephanie.
“Oh uh...yeah. Mum and Dad, this is Jake. Jake, this is my mum Patricia and dad Gareth.”
I hold out my hand to shake her dad’s. He takes it, seeming surprised by the strength in my grip. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
“Likewise, though I wish we’d met sooner,” her dad says, looking at Stephanie.
“Dad,” she hisses at him.
“Sorry, sir. I got back from being deployed a month ago, and I have been trying to navigate life back here after my absence.”
“Fair enough. You certainly don’t have an easy job. Are you dining here this evening?” he asks, motioning a hand at their table.
“Oh, umm... You look like you’re having a family dinner. I’d hate to intrude. I was just here organising our date for next week.” I squeeze Stephanie’s hand.
“Nonsense. You’re Stephanie’s boyfriend, and we would love the opportunity to get to know you,” her mum says.
I look at Stephanie and smile. “Boyfriend. I think I like that.”
She looks at me. “You get that title next week if you make a good impression tonight and next week.”
I grin. “You want me to stay tonight?”
“I do.” I step around her and pull out her chair for her. She sits down, and I sit down next to her, opposite her dad.
A waitress comes over and takes our drink order. I order a Sprite along with Stephanie. Her dad looks at me surprised that I haven’t ordered something stronger. I’ll have a drink with Toby tomorrow night.
“We’ve met you briefly before I think; when you’ve come to pick Aria up from our place over the years, but we want to get to know you. So Jake, tell us about yourself?” Patricia asks, kicking off the conversation.
“I’m in the Army. A medic. I love my job, and I get deployed regularly. My last deployment was in March for four months, but I’ll assume my next one will be longer. I love to eat, not that you can see it given how much I work out at the gym.”
“And what about the baby, how do you feel about it all?” her dad asks.
“Nervous and excited, but I’m sure glad I’m having my first child with Stephanie. She’s amazing, sweet and I’m only sorry that it took me so long to figure it out.”
I squeeze Stephanie’s hand. She looks at me, and I take the opportunity to kiss her.
“Thanks, babe,” she whispers.
Our drinks are brought over, and we place our orders for dinner. I order a chicken, mozzarella cheese, cranberry and avocado pizza.
“His words are good. I just hope the date goes as well.” Her dad laughs.
“It will Dad, even though I ruined half his surprise.”
“You didn’t ruin anything, sugar,” I whisper in her ear. “I have a few other ideas to surprise you with.”
She smiles, and I pick up my drink to take a sip. Stephanie squeezes the hand she’s still holding.
“Hey, how did it go with the dress you made the other week? Did the lady like it?” I ask.
“Yes, she brought it. It doesn’t even need any alterations, and she decided she wants bridesmaid dresses made in a brighter pink.”
I kiss her cheek. “See, beautiful, I told you that you’d get more clients. You don’t need the one who walked away to that other designer. You are awesome.”
“You didn’t say you sold a dress,” her dad says.
“Doesn’t change the fact that I lost my final client from the wedding show, Dad. I was looking forward to designing those dresses.” Sadness washes over her face, and I hate seeing it.
“Hey, it’ll be great. I say continue doing what you love and designing those dresses. Besides, you still have a client who hasn’t yet made her mind up about what she wants.”
She looks at me with an arched eyebrow. “Who?”
“Sasha.”