Page 52 of Damaged Professor

I keep looking back over my shoulder at Dylan. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s just because we’ve never done anything like this before. The closest thing to a date we’ve ever had is food at his house, delicious food. This is a totally different situation though. And I feel nervous because I just want it to go well.

When it’s finally my turn, I order myself a latte with honey, and for him a double espresso. I also get two doughnuts, one for each of us. Before long, both doughnuts and drinks are in my hand, and I’m hurrying back over to the table, excitement making my steps seem that much lighter.

I sit down in the armchair across Dylan, sliding one of the doughnuts and his coffee towards him. “Is there a reason why you think going to this party is going to be such an issue?”

I take a sip of my coffee.

I have yet to meet a human whose coffee brewing skills rival a small, local shop like this one. And being the coffee lover I am, I would know.

The idea of getting a good cup of coffee on what could be considered our first official date is something really lovely. It makes the shop seem much more special than it might have been otherwise.

“I just don’t think that you understand exactly how over the top my parents are,” says Dylan, gazing at his doughnut. The top of it has a thick peanut butter creme on it, paired with both a chocolate drizzle and a thick caramel syrup. It’s got a rich peanut butter and chocolate ganache filling, which is visible when Dylan breaks the doughnut in half and takes a bite.

“Over the top,” I say, amused. “After everything that we’ve been through, you think that over-the-top parents are going to scare me off?”

Dylan says, “I don’t think that they’re going to scare you off. I just think that you need to know what you’re walking into. There are going to be at least fifty other people there, and they’re all going to notice that I’ve brought a date, because I haven't done that in a very long time.” He stares at his coffee for long before taking a sip.

“The last time I had someone with me, it was another girlfriend. And that relationship did not end well.”

I sit straight. “I was—We were together for a very long time. And she cheated on me.”

This is why he’s been alone for so long. I don’t know how that feels but I know how much loss stings. That sting coupled with betrayal seems unbearable.

“I found out and let’s just say I did not take it well. I haven’t had a steady partner after that so my family will be extra interested in us—you. And my mom is a little bit—”

“I want to go,” I tell him, reaching across the table and putting my hand on top of his wrist. The touch is meant to be reassuring. I want to be there for him when the questions start. This is not the moment to talk about his past love. He’ll do that when he’s ready, not forced by circumstances.

And I feel special—he wants to introduce me to his family. “You have no idea how in awe I am, that you would be willing to invite me to a family event. You could tell me that I had to spend the whole night with a bunny costume on, and I would still be willing, and happy, to go.”

Dylan twists our hands around, so that he can hold mine. His thumb sweeps over my knuckles. “I think you’re underestimating the amount of enthusiasm that my mom is going to greet you with.”

“I can handle an enthusiastic parent,” I tell him, honestly. I really can’t believe that he wants me to come with him to this. Being introduced to his family, that’s a really big deal. And this isn’t just meeting his brother or meeting his parents. This is meeting everyone that his parents care about, from family friends to the extended family.

This is like—a major step in a relationship. And it’s so early on! This just proves that he’s actually serious about me. And I’m thrilled because I’m truly just as serious about him. I want him to know that I’ve got nothing to keep hidden from him. I’ve got my whole heart laid out.

I mean, he must know that by now—and it’s pretty obvious that he feels the same way about me.

My gaze goes soft as I look at him. I lean forward across the top of the table, so that the edge of it bites into the curve of my belly. And then I kiss him. There’s nothing lewd about it, the kiss is perfectly chaste and soft and sweet, and yet in it, are all of my feelings for him, everything that I want him to know. I want to make sure that Dylan understands exactly how important he is to me.

“I would be honored,” I tell him, as I slide back down into my seat, still holding tightly to his hand. “If you would let me come to your parents' anniversary party.”

“Really?” He asks, one more time, as though he just needs to be sure about it. And with what little he’s told me about his family, I understand why he’s apprehensive. Dylan looks hesitant, as if he’s just hoping that throwing me to the wolves isn’t a bad decision, and I hope that I’m going to be able to prove to him that there’s nothing anyone in his family could say that would ever deter me from wanting to be with him at this party.

“Really,” I tell him. “I’ve just got one request.”

He nods, but he pulls in a deep breath too, clearly expecting that this is going to be some kind of a big request. It’s not, but it means a lot to me anyway. “Shoot your shot. I’m sure that the answer is going to be yes.”

“Don’t say that before you hear the details,” I tease him, a mockery of what he said to me on the phone just an hour ago. And then, with a smile on my face, I tell him, “I want you to pick me up and take me out to the party. I want to walk into the party holding your hand.”

Dylan stares at me in awe for a moment, and then he lets out a heavy sigh of relief, chased by a laugh of relief. “I’ll do that for you any day, baby.”

“Then it’s a date,” I tell him.

Dylan says, “You’re right. It IS a date.”

And I don’t think that I’ve ever smiled so brightly before.

Dylan

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