Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,14

we’re in love?”

“Whatever. This is the best we can do.”

We approached the table where my parents sat. “Yo, what’s up?”

Mom ignored my greeting. Usually she had something smart ass to say about my choice of words but tonight she didn’t. “Hey, honey. Did you not have time to change after work?” She eyed my t-shirt.

“No, I did.” What was wrong with what I was wearing?

“Oh…this is a nice place, Ash.” Mom lowered her voice to a whisper.

She didn’t waste any time, did she? “Mom, meet my girlfriend, Alessandra.”

Mom took her in, and judging the smile on her lips and the way her eyes shined like the sun, she loved her. “Oh my goodness, you’re so beautiful.”

“I know how to pick em’, huh?” I said with a grin.

Mom shook her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

“You too,” Alessandra said. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”

“Oh, you’re so polite.” Mom hugged her like she’d known her for years.

I guess my mom was expecting me to bring Marilyn Manson.

I gave Dad a quick hug. “Hey, old man. What’s up?”

His eyes were glued to Alessandra. “Nice job, Son.”

“Yeah, I know,” I said with a shrug. “Supermodels have always been my thing.” I walked around the table then pulled out a chair for Alessandra. I was never a gentleman like this but the night was going well and I was in a good mood.

Alessandra gave me a quick smile before she sat down.

I took the place beside her. “Do you want wine or anything?”

“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” she said.

I flipped the menu over. “Do they have beer?”

“No,” Mom said in an annoyed voice. “This is an Italian place.”

“Do Italians not drink beer?” I blurted.

Alessandra leaned toward me and looked at the wine list. Her smell came into my nose, and her soft hair slightly tickled my forearm. “Let’s do the merlot. It’s bitter, but not too bitter.”

“I don’t drink wine.”

“I know,” she said. “I think you’ll like it.”

“Whatever you say, sweetheart.” I set the wine menu down. I remembered that I was supposed to be affectionate with Alessandra. I wasn’t totally clueless when it came to women, but I was only touchy behind closed doors. I never went out to dinner or took a stroll around the park. I put my arm over the back of her chair and tried to act natural.

Mom looked thrilled. “So, you two met in a coffee shop?”

“Yep,” I said. “I saw her across the room and knew I had to have her. The rest is history.”

“He was very charming,” Alessandra said. “He knows how to make me laugh.”

“That’s wonderful,” Mom said. “What do you do, Alessandra?”

Now that the boring part of the conversation came, I moved to the breadbasket and ate all the slices inside. My parents didn’t seem to notice because they were so absorbed with my date.

“I run a flower shop in Manhattan,” she said. “Gardening has always been a hobby and I really enjoy it.”

“That’s great,” Dad said.

“Adorable,” Mom said.

“I like to take flowers home and put them in my apartment. The place always smells like summer.”

I discreetly eyed the front of her dress. Her cleavage line could be seen from this angle, and I couldn’t stop myself from taking a peek. Damn, her tits were nice.

“How long has this been going on for, Ash?” Mom asked.

“Uh…” I pulled my eyes away from the beautiful sight. “Three weeks now. I was reluctant for a relationship but Alessandra is special.” My fingers gently rubbed her shoulder. “I didn’t want to let her go.”

“Awe…” Mom leaned toward Dad and grabbed his arm.

I couldn’t believe they were buying this crap.

“Your son is a wonderful man,” Alessandra said. “He’s so sweet and thoughtful. You raised him well.”

“Well…we did our best.” Dad sipped his wine.

Could we go now? How long did I have to keep up this act for? I just wanted my money and I felt like a dog jumping through hoops to get what was rightfully mine. At least Alessandra was cool.

We spent the rest of the evening making small talk. My parents were far more interested in Alessandra than they were in me. They hardly spoke to me. If I weren’t there, they wouldn’t have even noticed. I didn’t mind because I didn’t like talking to them anyway, but I’d rather be at home or anywhere but there.

At the end of the night, I paid our tab then released a sigh of relief now that the evening was over. I could probably go two weeks without