Page 107 of Between Us

Letting out a deep breath, I decide to just be honest because he’d know if I lied to spare his feelings. “Of course I’m nervous. My parents already liked you before we started to hang out because you’re their employee. They weren’t basing their judgement only on the fact that you’re my boyfriend.”

Stepping up to me, he reaches behind me and grabs the necklace. Just like on Christmas morning, he puts it on for me and gently cups the back of my neck. “I mean, the circumstances are different. I can’t deny that. But my parents know you’re a whole person outside of our relationship—and that’s who they’re excited to meet. The woman who cares so deeply for her entire community, who offers her free time to families in need without a second of doubt, who is one of the most resilient, and brilliant, people they’ll ever meet. The woman that their son is lucky enough to call his girl—and hopefully one day, so much more.”

“Adrian,” I murmur. “That’s just how you see me.”

“No, baby. That’s exactly who you are, and part of why I’m in love with you. And my parents already like you from everything I’ve told them about you.”

“Oh God, I forgot you talked about me with them,” I grumble.

He laughs and grabs my jaw, angling me for another kiss. “The only reason they don’t love you yet, is because they haven’t met you. So, let’s go.”

I’mnottotallysureif it’s a blessing or curse when we find my friends standing with my parents, Bonnie, and who I can only assume is Adrian’s parents and godmother. They’d never mean to embarrass me, but Margo really lacks a filter most days. And the last thing I need is Meera squealing through our introductions.

Adrian doesn’t seem deterred by my friends though. He interlaces our fingers and pulls me toward the group.

“Oh, there you two are,” my mom smiles when she notices us walking over.

When Adrian’s parents turn, I can’t help but notice the wide, genuine grin his mom is sporting compared to the smaller, though equally as warm, smile his dad is offering us. Right off the bat, it calms some of my nerves from how similar it is to my own parents. Glancing up at Adrian, I wonder if that’s why it’s been so easy for him to integrate himself into my family.

“Hi, doll,” Adrian’s mom, Camille, greets me first. She doesn’t look that much like Adrian, despite that, she’s as beautiful as you’d expect for the woman who gave him life. She’s a couple inches shorter than me with shoulder-length coils that frame her soft jaw. The warm gold of her modest jumpsuit complements her full curves and rich ebony skin. It’s the way in which she’s smiling that overtakes her entire being, making the resemblance between the two of them unmistakable. “You must be Blake.”

Swallowing nervously, I nod and try to smile in spite of the butterflies thrashing my stomach. “Hi, yes. It’s great to meet you.”

Sticking out my hand, I’m momentarily surprised when Camille uses that to pull me into a hug. Subtly I gather my wits and tentatively offer the gesture back.

“Please, call me Cami.”

“Cami—got it.” When we pull apart, she grabs her husband’s hand, and he steps forward. Thankfully offering me a hand rather than another embrace, I take it. “It’s nice to meet you,” I tell him.

“You as well, Blake. I’m Will. And thank you for inviting us over tonight.” On the other hand, Adrian looks almost exactly like his father. They have the same deep mahogany complexion and dimples, but Will’s hair is longer on the sides. Adrian’s mentioned that he’s a bit taller than his father, although it can’t be by much.

Smiling, my eyes move to the last woman I haven’t met. She’s a younger version of her mother with warm olive skin and dark green eyes. Her chestnut brown hair that’s styled in a short, messy bob and the black pants suit is the opposite of the eccentric older woman.

“Maria,” she confirms, as she grabs my hand in a more tender, warm grasp than the handshake I shared with Adrian’s dad. “My mom hasn’t stopped talking about you for weeks now.”

Laughing awkwardly, I shrug and admit, “I loved her. Adrian and I are planning on spending a whole day with them soon. I didn’t get to meet your dad yet.”

“Oh, I know. It was all she talked about on the plane to Florida last week.”

This time, the chuckle is genuine, and I feel the anxiety starting to drift from my body.

Throughout this whole conversation, my friends have been standing silently near my parents. As much as I appreciate it, I can’t help but glance suspiciously toward them.

Will pulls my attention back. “Adrian’s told us so much about you.”

“So I’ve heard,” I quietly mutter, not meaning to blurt out the words.

My eyes go wide, hoping I didn’t offend anyone, but Cami laughs easily. “He had no choice. I’d been hoping he’d run into the cute girl from the grocery store again.”

She winks as my cheeks grow warmer, realizing that night really was somehow monumental in the grand scheme of things.

“The grocery store?” my dad cuts in for the first time.

Ruefully, I turn toward my parents, not missing the chaotic smile starting to tug on Margo’s lips. Meera just looks like she needs a container of popcorn.

To his credit, my dad doesn’t look mad. More so confused. “Did you know each other before Adrian got the job?”

“No,” we say at the same time. Continuing, I tell my parents, “We ran into each other at the grocery store—literally.”

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