Page 96 of Doctor I Do

Alex’s hand drops away from my back, and he strolls into the kitchen with Paul to grab drinks.

“I’ll have a small glass. They’re in the fridge,” Margaret calls out.

A moment later, Alex yells, “Mom, did you buy the whole store?”

I peer at her as I grab an olive to pop into my mouth. She smiles at me. “Maybe…”

I take a seat and nod, laughing lightly.

Alex and Paul arrive back with four glasses of wine. Alex lowers a glass in front of me, and Paul does the same with Margaret before they sit beside us.

We nibble on the food.

“Did you make the charcuterie board?”

“Yes, love. But wait until you eat dinner. It’s going to melt into your mouth. It’s Alex’s favorite dish.”

“Oh, is it?” I ask, getting my first piece of information out of her.

“What was Alex like as a kid?” I ask, just to be funny.

“Great, here we go. The next hour of mom spilling my secrets,” Alex says.

I can’t help but love it. I want all the details. I grab some bread and tear it apart as she speaks, her face lighting up with happiness.

“He was always so outgoing, but he’s also the softest, most gentle soul. He’d always take care of Mike and Stephanie. When he loves you, he will protect you with everything he can.” She meets my gaze before looking at Alex, who winks at her.

“We’re incredibly proud of the man he’s grown to be. We’re glad to have met someone who means so much to him,” Paul says.

“Yes, we’ve never met—”

Alex clears his throat beside me. “Mom, please. Now this is embarrassing.”

“Oh, is it? Sorry, my love,” his mom says, chuckling to herself.

“I don’t think so; it’s all the good stuff I came here for,” I say, elbowing his side playfully.

His hand grabs my thigh, and I suck in a sharp breath at the sudden unexpected contact. Leaning into my ear, he whispers so only I can hear. “You know everything about me…more than they do, trust me.”

His hidden meaning makes me close my thighs, but he slides his hand up farther. I excuse myself to the bathroom, needing a moment alone to take a cleansing breath as the dinner is brought out. Over dinner, we fall into more easy conversation. We talk about Mike, Alice, and baby Ethan, and I learn more about his sister Stephanie, her husband Chris, and their baby girl Ellie.

“Dinner was amazing. I wish I could cook this,” I say as I eat the chicken potpie.

“I could teach you sometime. I learned it at cooking school.”

Alex’s chuckle pulls me. I look at him, confused.

“She finds any way to discuss cooking school,” he answers me.

“What’s wrong with that?” Margaret asks, offended.

He shakes his head, looking at her. “Nothing, Mom. I love how passionate you are about it,” Alex replies, finishing his dinner.

I bring the wineglass to my mouth and enjoy the moment of being around his family. I think it was better just to meet the parents first. I don’t know how I would’ve gone meeting the huge family at once. It would’ve been too much. Now I know more about them, and I feel more comfortable about the next Sunday dinner with everyone here.

My phone rings with my mom’s name on it. “Sorry, I have to answer this. I won’t be long,” I say with a wince. I hope they don’t think I’m rude.

“Go ahead. I’ll get a start on dessert,” Margaret replies as Alex’s pager goes off.

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