Page 28 of Cold Feet
"Mom! Dad!" I managed, forcing brightness into my voice as I hugged my mother. "I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow."
"Change of plans," my father said, hugging me. His eyes moved from me to Cam with thoughtful assessment. "ESPN called, and we didn't want to miss Zayne's big night, so here we are. Cam, nice to see you. Congratulations. Great night for the Slashers."
"Thank you, sir." Cam replied. "It's good to see you both again."
My mother barely seemed to hear, her attention entirely captured by the ring on my finger. "Lana Elizabeth Decker," she breathed, taking my hand in hers to examine the sapphire more closely. "Is this what I think it is?"
I opened my mouth, prepared to launch into our carefully crafted non-explanation that would imply without confirming, but Cam stepped forward before I could speak.
"Mrs. Decker," he said, kissing her cheek in an old-world gesture that made my mother actually blush. "It's so lovely to see you again. You look radiant tonight."
My mother, typically composed and articulate, actually giggled. "Please, call me Diana, Cam. You and Zayne aren't in college anymore. And this – " she gestured to the ring, " – is breathtaking. Almost as breathtaking as the fact that my daughter hasn't mentioned a single word about your relationship until those photos appeared last week." She glared at me teasingly.
Cam's smile was apologetic but not overly so. "That's my fault, I'm afraid. Given my position on the team and Lana's role as the team's publicity director, we thought it best to keep things private until we were...certain."
The way he said "certain" – with just the right gentle emphasis – left no doubt as to what he meant. My mother's eyes softened, and even my father's stern expression relaxed slightly.
"And now you're certain?" my father asked, the question directed at me rather than Cam.
I felt three pairs of eyes on me, awaiting my response. Cam's hand found the small of my back, a warm, steadying presence.
"Yes," I said, surprised by the conviction in my voice. "We're certain."
My mother beamed, pulling me into a tight hug that smelled of her signature perfume and years of unconditional love. "Oh, darling. I'm so happy for you."
Over her shoulder, I caught Cam's eye. He was watching us with an expression I couldn't quite decode – something warm but wistful and complicated.
"Thank you," I murmured, guilt twisting in my stomach at the genuine joy in my mother's voice.
When she released me, my father stepped forward, offering his hand to Cam. "Congratulations on your award tonight, Cam. And on..." he gestured vaguely between us, "...this development."
"Thank you, sir," Cam replied, his handshake firm and respectful. "I know how important your family is to Lana. I hope you know I'm the guy lucky enough to be in her life right now, and I don't take that lightly."
My father studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded once, a gesture that conveyed both acknowledgment and warning. "See that you don't."
An awkward silence threatened to descend, but my mother, ever the social butterfly, clapped her hands together. "Well! This calls for a proper celebration. You must come with Lana to Siesta Key this weekend. The whole family will be there for our annual end-of-summer gathering. Zayne will be there of course. And Drake."
Panic flared in my chest. A weekend with my entire family? Pretending to be engaged to Cam? It was one thing to maintain the façade for a night, quite another to sustain it for an entire weekend under the watchful eyes of the people who knew me best.
"Mom, I don't think – " I began.
"We'd love to," Cam interjected smoothly, his smile dazzling. "Wouldn't we, Lana?"
I could only stare at him, words failing me as I processed the enormity of what he'd just committed us to.
"Wonderful!" my mother exclaimed, clearly delighted. "We'll expect you Friday afternoon. The good bedroom is already made up. She leaned in close to Cam for a stage whisper, “We've been hoping Lana would finally bring someone special home."
“Mom!”
With promises to call with details and congratulations on the "engagement," my parents moved on to greet other acquaintances, leaving me standing in stunned silence beside Cam.
"The good bedroom?" he murmured, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Should I be honored?"
I found my voice at last, turning to face him fully, whispering, "Are you out of your mind? A weekend with my family playing happy couple? This wasnotpart of the deal, Cam. We're having a serious discussion about this later. Stick to the plan. It's showtime."
His expression sobered, but there was still a warmth in his eyes that made my heart beat faster. "Would it really be so terrible? Think about it – if we can convince your family, we can convince anyone. Including those Redline executives over there who have been watching us all night."
I followed his subtle nod to where two sharp-suited men stood near the bar, their attention indeed fixed in our direction. Well, at least the scene with my parents was probably convincing from afar.
