Page 144 of The Fake Out Flex

"Also great."

Mom's still under the impression we've really been dating this whole time, and I have to say, she seems to be on board. I guess that's because Fraser ticks off all her potential husband requirements. Plus he's a hockey player, and I suspect that since she married one, that might sweeten the deal even more.

"Excellent. In that case, can you please extend an invitation to him to join us for a family dinner next week?"

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I know he feels like part of the family already because of Levi, but if he's an important part of your life, I'd like to make more of an effort to get to know him better. Bring it up with him next time you see him, and let me know what he says."

"I will. Bye, Mom."

"Goodbye, Evelyn."

I sigh into the speaker of my phone during my chat date with Fraser that night. "Do you think we'll ever get to a point where we don't feel like we're a major disappointment to our parents?"

"Maybe once they're dead?" Fraser offers.

"Normally I'd agree with you, but I think it's unlikely in my case."

"Why is that?"

"Well, knowing Mom, and with the way AI is advancing, I'm sure she'll find some way to express her displeasure at my life choices from beyond the grave."

"So I take it that your time with her today didn't go well?"

"It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We talked about some…interesting stuff. But still, I hate having to ask her for anything, much less something I don't really want."

I've told Fraser about how Mom is going to set up a meeting for me with her Washington contact, who happens to be the husband of one of the women she used to be on the Winter Carnival Planning Committee with until they left Comfort Bay and moved to D.C.

I may have also grumbled, for possibly not the first time, about how much I do not want to be pursuing this option.

"Oh. That reminds me," I say.

"Yeah?"

"You're invited to a family dinner next week."

The line goes quiet.

"What is it? What's wrong?" I ask when the silence stretches for too long.

"Nothing. It's great. I'd love to go."

"But?"

"But will there be chilis?"

I laugh. "Probably. But don't worry, I'll get Mom to ask the cook to go easy on you."

"Thank you." He lets out an audible sigh of relief. "So, in what capacity exactly have I been invited to the family dinner?"

Before I can answer, he says, "Actually. Can I call you back in literally one second?"

"Uh, sure."

We end the call and a second later, my phone buzzes, but this time it's not a voice call from Fraser.

It's a video call.

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