Page 91 of Naive in Love

She whispers in my ear, “I’m so glad he’s found you,” before letting me go. It brings a smile to my face. If she only knew I feel like the lucky one.

“Sophia, it is so good to finally meet you,” his mom begins. Ethan looks like his dad, but he gets his eye color from his mom. She has beautiful hazel eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” I reply as we all sit down.

“I feel like I know you already, but everything I know is from my son.”

“Mom, please. I don’t talk about her that much,” Ethan retorts.

She looks at him pointedly. “Are you being serious right now? All you’ve talked about is this pretty little thing.” She giggles, knowing she is annoying him.

He huffs in frustration. “Fine. I’ve been a bit obsessed. Is that better?” Her giggles turn into a full laugh that has me giggling. I am touched he has spoken about me to his mom.

“Better. So how are you liking school, Sophia?”

Dinner is nice and am glad I met her. Another stepping-stone in our relationship.

As we drive away from the restaurant, he surprises me again.

“We are heading to my dad’s house now.” He stares straight ahead, trying not to laugh at my discomfort.

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope. Dad would like to meet you before the party, away from all the hoopla.” Wow, I can’t believe he just tricked me into meeting both his parents without any notice.

“I’m considering jumping out of the car and running home. Just so you know.”

“Ah, baby. I’m sorry, but I didn’t want you getting yourself worked up unnecessarily. It’s going to be fine. Just know you have already passed test one.”

“Test one?” My brows furrow in confusion.

“Yes, test one. Fitting the Hayes mold? You fit perfectly. Me? Not so much. You are doing me the favor. Making me look good.” I remember back to earlier in the evening when he mentioned that I know his family. He doesn’t really think I am the one who is making him look good, does he? I am lucky to have him.

When he stops at a red light, I turn my body toward him, holding his arm draped over the middle console. “You, you are amazing. Patient, kind, loving, smart, dedicated. You are a Hayes. Just because you are finding your own way does not make you any less. I’d want to be with you even if you didn’t have that last name.” He continues to stare straight ahead, so I grab his chin, turning his head in my direction. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

The light turns, so he takes off, still quiet and not answering my question. He pulls into a parking lot and stops.

“I’m just uneasy about tomorrow. I’m still not conforming, even though my dad and I have made amends. He has never held the money from me, most likely out of guilt. But I don’t think the other family members feel the same way.”

“Why?” I ask.

He shrugs his shoulders.

“Then don’t worry about what you don’t know.”

He nods his head. “Let’s go before my dad starts wondering where we are.”

His dad lives in the same neighborhood as Preston’s parents, where the homes are mansions. He is a single man living in this huge home.

We walk up to the door, and Ethan rings the bell before opening it. We walk through the grand foyer with marble floors and a sweeping staircase to the rear of the house into the kitchen. It is modern with sleek lines, white granite counters contrasting the dark mahogany cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. A large island sits in the middle with bar stools. His dad is mixing drinks as a beautiful woman sits watching him.

"Hello. Welcome. You must be Sophia.” His dad says.

“Hi,” I respond smiling.

“Please call me Rick. And this is Evelyn, my girlfriend.”

I reach my hand out to her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

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