Page 40 of Cat's Outta the Bag

He smiles and pinches my chin back. "I love you too."

When I turn to follow the host, I find my mother staring at us, tears flowing down her cheeks. What have I done?

Surprisingly, she passes the dinner in a more normal state once she calms down. Asking Jason basic, non-invasive questions and actually giving him time to answer. I almost feel out of sorts, she's acting so level. Under the table, Jason keeps periodically squeezing my knee, comforting me.

As we’re waiting for dessert, the topic of my birthday comes up.

“So, Jason, do you have any plans for Alexis’ 30th this weekend? Bill and I had a few ideas, but I don't want to step on your toes if you have something already planned." I can't tell from the glint in my mom's eye if she wants him to have something planned or not. Before I can interject that we do not, in fact, have plans, Jason jumps in.

"Actually, Cheryl, I do." He just smiles when I look at him, surprised. "My parents have a place on Catalina Island and invited us to stay. I spoke with Lex's friends from the hospital, and they're all able to come as well. We'll have to get up pretty early Saturday morning to catch the ferry out of San Pedro to reach Two Harbors, but my parents said they'd have a big breakfast waiting for us when we arrive."

My jaw is on the floor. I had no clue he'd done any of this, let alone talked to the girls about their schedules. Hell, I only told him my birthday was coming up two weeks ago. Was he planning this while he was away filming?

He catches my awed look and gives me the smuggest smile I’ve ever seen. Oh, he’s good. I pinch his arm, but without any force. After the initial shock rolls off, I find myself incandescently happy.

"Oh, did you hear that, Bill? That sounds wonderful! And we get to meet your parents?" My mom whacks my dad as if he wasn't already paying attention. He just nods and grunts like none of this was a big deal to him. But I know he'll pull me aside later and want to say something to me privately.

I pull out my phone and send a quick text to the group chat I have with Allison, Nique, and Tristan. Only slightly annoyed that they were able to keep this a secret.

Alexis: You hoes, how could you not tell me you were planning a party for me with Jason? You all made me think you were too busy to do something!

It takes less than ten seconds for their replies to roll in.

Kiki: Dammit! He was supposed to keep his lips sealed until you were on the ferry, and we jumped out of nowhere!

Allison: I'm sorry, sweety pie, but it was too good of a surprise to pass up. The look on your face when we told you we were all busy? [crying laughing emoji]

Tristan: I’d like the record to show that I was originally opposed, but was forced to comply.

Alexis: You’re all lucky I love you guys, or I’d be dis-inviting you from this whole trip.

Allison: Noooooo! Don’t do that! Phil has the kids this weekend AND I’m off. Don’t take this me time away from me!!!!!! [sobbing GIF]

Kiki: I’ll cut you if you leave me behind.

Tristan: Again, let the record show that I was always opposed to lying.

Alexis: [repeating eye-roll emojis]

Alexis: I’m getting dirty looks from my mother, so I gotta go. I guess I’ll see you three on Saturday…….

Thankfully, before my mother can complain, our desserts arrive, and she's distracted by sugar.

***

Later in the evening, we're back at the apartment for one last glass of wine. My mom has kidnapped Jason to the kitchen, where she needs help opening a rather pesky bottle. Which is code for, I want to talk to you without my disapproving daughter around.

But it's ok because a little heart-to-heart in the kitchen is nothing after everything else she's pulled tonight. At least, I hope it's nothing.

Maybe I should go in there.

Before I can move, my father uses this as an opportunity to talk to me privately. He pulls me fully into the living room so we're out of earshot from the kitchen. I find myself frowning, it's not often that my father feels the need to exclude my mother from things. And now I'm a little concerned he doesn't want Jason to hear either.

"Sweetheart, you know I love and trust you, right?" He looks down at me from over his glasses, a slight crease in his brow. I feel like there's a big “but” coming.

“Yes?” it comes out more like a question, I have no idea where he’s going with this.

"And I want you to know that I am so happy that you are happy with Jason. But I just want to make sure you don't get swept up in his glamorous life. New love can make you see everything through rose-colored glasses, and it's great, but it doesn't always last. You are nearing the end of residency; this is a crucial point in your career. I don't want you to lose sight of that because of a man."

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