Page 9 of My Perfect Valentine

Addie does nothing. She’s obviously used to these comments. “Thank you, mother. You look lovely as always. Hello, father.”

Mother? Father? Seriously, this is how she addresses her parents, so cold and old-fashioned?

“And who do we have here?” Her mother asks as she looks me up and down with a calculating gaze. However, it does the opposite of what I think she’s hoping. It emboldens me to want to pull the stick out of her ass.

“This is Logan, my boyfriend. Logan, this is my mother Gretchen and my father Reginald.”

Not wanting to ruin Addie’s night, I lift my hand. “Hello, nice to meet you.”

Reginald takes my hand first and shakes it, while her mother is more hesitant.

“Nice to finally meet you. Addison’s been telling us there’s somebody special for a little while now. I’m sorry to say we know little about you,” Reginald says.

“Oh, yeah. We’re still getting to know each other. What would you like to know?”

Reginald opens his mouth, but his wife speaks first. “Why are you with somebody far too young for you? Are there no women who are more age appropriate?”

Addie gasps, “Mother.”

Reginald sighs as her brief outburst doesn’t surprise him. I take a calming breath and maintain the smile on my face. Reminding myself, I’m doing this for Addie, all for her. She’s worth it.

“I can see how our ages may cause some concern, but when you meet somebody who makes you question everything about life and what can truly bring you happiness, you learn that age is nothing but a number.” I glance at Addie and smile wider. “When you meet somebody as amazing as Addie, well, you let all your fears and perceptions go because you need to have her in your life.”

Our gaze locks and the surprise on her face has me wanting to drop my head and kiss her with every ounce of passion I possess, but, instead, I drop and give her a couple of soft pecks that wipes the surprise from her face and casts me with a love struck smile.

“That’s great to hear. I’m happy somebody embraces my Addison and everything she offers,” Reginald says.

Addie gets a blush that makes me fantasize how far down it goes, but I mentally slap myself to stop and bring me back to where I am, standing in front of her parents, who are sizing me up.

“Tell me, Logan, what do you do?” Gretchen asks as she remains distant.

“I own a bike shop, repairing and building custom bikes.”

Gretchen’s lips purse.

“Oh, how amazing is that? So you ride. I’ve always been fascinated by motorcycles. I just could never quite pull the trigger on getting one.” Addie’s dad grins.

“Well, if you come down to the shop, there are a few loners on hand. We can take them out sometime and see if you like riding. Let me tell you, nothing like it.”

“I might just take you up on that.”

“Reginald,” Gretchen says his name like it’s a curse word.

“Oh, relax, Gretchen. It’ll be fun. Riding is tens times better than golf.”

Addie laughs. “Only because you’re bad at it.”

Reginald points his finger at his daughter as he tries to hide a smile. “Watch yourself, little girl. I’m not the one who drove a ball into the back of Dr. Mathers' head.”

“You said you wouldn’t mention that again.”

Reginald shrugs and takes a sip of champagne. Addie laughs while her father joins her. I can’t help but enjoy the bond father and daughter have. The issue is mother and daughter.

Gretchen rolls her eyes, but lights up when she notices somebody over my shoulder and her demeanor changes. She looks more polite and approachable. “Mason, over here.”

Addie tenses and pushes in closer to my side, and I can tell it’s a muscle reaction, not intentional.

“Gretchen, Reginald, how wonderful to see you. What another smashing evening. Well done.”

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