Page 58 of Five Alarm Love
“Um, not exactly.We’re both adults.But we wanted you to know.”There was a pause punctuated by the clinks of stainless steel against Corelle plates.He backpedaled.“Also, I couldn’t turn down an excellent meal.”
At least the chuckles cut the tension.Some.
“You guys have been friends since you were kids.”Melinda reached over to help Gordy manage a piece of potato.
“Why mess that up by dating?”Steve muttered.
“Steve!”Melinda said.“Be nice.”
Louise cleared her throat.“You and Mom were friends before you started dating.”
“But you’re such good friends for so long,” Steve said.
Tuli put down his fork and rested his palms on the edge of the table.Calmly.Rationally.“I’m sorry.What is that supposed to mean?”
Melinda nodded toward the other end of the table.“I think what Dad is trying to say, but not very well, is that it’s hard to go back to being friends if the dating part doesn’t work out.”
Louise blurted out, “Why would you think this won’t work out?”
Steve raised his hands.“Whoa, it was just a discussion and a reminder to take things slowly.”
“This is a super weird conversation.”Leave it to Lou, stating the obvious in a gentle, but forthright, manner.
Tuli briefly patted the back of her hand, then turned to her parents.“You’re right.Lou and I have been friends forever.We are dipping our toe into a different kind of relationship.No one’s rushing anything.”Not that he didn’t want to.He consciously relaxed his clenched jaw.“This isn’t permission.More like a heads-up on our status change.”
“Is that what they call it on those social media sites?”Steve said.
Melinda nodded.“I think that’s a Facebook thing.”
Tuli laughed.“Oh no.We’re not talking about social media.”
“I’m surprised about that, Tuli,” Steve said, like a hawk eying his prey.“Given how much you live on social media.”
Tuli replied, “Tonight is not about social media or my internet presence.Tonight is hanging out with a friend and her family and having a nice meal together with nice people.And with one wild guy.”He flashed a grin at Gordy across the table, who immediately smiled with a bit of food on his lower lip that Melinda swiped away.
“Lou, are you good with all the stuff that he does?”Steve asked.
“Steve, come on now,” Melinda cut in.
“What?I’m only making sure that our daughter has the best prospects available to her.”
“As opposed to what?”Melinda said.
“It’s my job as her dad.”He rested his button-sleeved arms on the table edge.“What are your plans for a job, Tuli?”
“Dad,” Lou said, “seriously.We’re adults.”
Steve’s curt nod was the only acknowledgement.
Tuli sat up straight.“I have a job.Two, actually.Three, if you count being an influencer.”
“What was your college degree, again?”
Tuli bit back a frustrated laugh.“I completed summer fire academy in Fairbanks and trained with the Chena Fire Department before starting here six years ago.”
“Huh.What are your plans?”
My plans are to kiss your daughter senseless, Steve.
