Page 46 of Destiny

Marco finally stands still and runs his fingers through his abundance of hair. It’s gotten a little longer than it was when we first started dating, and he wants to cut it. But I keep pushing back because I think it’s sexy. But he thinks it makes him look like he’s trying too hard to be young. However, so far, I’m still winning this battle.

“Are you ready?” I ask after spraying some dry shampoo on my hair.

“I think so.” He checks his phone one more time and then offers me his arm. I happily accept it.

“Let’s do this.”

He has offered to drive, so I get into the passenger’s seat and buckle my seat belt.

“Oh! Did you bring that nice bottle of brandy?”

“I did. It’s in the back seat.”

I look back and spot it. “Good. My dad will love that.”

“That’s the plan.” He looks over and smiles. Then, he anxiously taps at the steering wheel.

It didn’t take long for us to arrive at the pub, and my parents were already there waiting.

I gave them both a hug, and my mom opened her arms to receive Marco.

“Sorry, I’m a hugger. I’m not sure if you remember . . .”

“That’s okay. I am too.”

When they part, I reintroduce him to my father.

As he usually did, he remained stoic and stone-faced, but he did shake Marco’s hand.

“Marco got this for you, Daddy.” I take the bag off the table and hand it to him.

“Remy Martin. Very nice. Thanks.”

“No problem, sir.”

“Well? Should we sit?” I suggest.

“Yeah, yeah. We already ordered some appetizers,” my mother says.

“Great. Thanks.”

Then, she puts her elbows on the table and scoots closer to the table. “So, I assume you’re still a lawyer, Marco?”

He takes a sip of his water before answering, “Yes, I am.”

“Any interesting cases recently?”

“Uh . . .”

“He can’t really talk about those, Mom.”

“Oh, that’s right. I’m sorry.”

“No worries. Mr. Carter, I understand that you’re a retired carpenter.”

“I am.”

“You know, I’ve always wanted to get into wood working.”

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