Method(73)

“Stop worrying, Dame, I’ve got this,” Lucas says confidently.

“I’m fine,” I reply with a squeak, my nerves giving me away. His laughter fills the Land Rover while a warm hand squeezes my thigh with reassurance. He looks glorious in loose-fitting dark jeans, a T-shirt, and a blazer. His hair is brushed back in thick waves making him look the part of a posh sophisticate. We’ve been dating for seven months, and it’s been utter bliss. At the moment we’re on our way toward another milestone, meet the parents, well my parents. He’s filmed another movie since we began dating, but the role was a minor, no stress part with an all-star cast. Lucas had only been on set for three weeks before he got home and we’d more than made up for lost time. We’d gone to a few more outings as a couple and so far, so good. I’ve been diligent about not paying attention to the tabloids or reading online comments from his fans about the status of his new relationship. Ignorance is indeed bliss as far as I’m concerned.

Life is good. He practically lives at my house at this point. When he isn’t filming, he admitted he mostly lived in a hotel, so most of our time together is spent at my cottage. Currently, he has two of his own drawers at my house which means we are on the cusp of more commitment. Everything inside me tells me he is my forever man and our exchanged words have started to deepen to an extent. Inside, I feel a glow I’d never known was possible.

Lucas is my best friend and remains the most spectacular of lovers. He is still guarded about some parts of his life and doesn’t want to talk much about the past, but I’ve always known eventually he will come clean to me. We are in the best place we could be, so at my mother’s insistence and with a brief window in his schedule, we agree to finally take her invite for dinner. My mother and I have been on a rare out of sorts since the party, but I refuse to let her influence my relationship. It’s her own brand of dramatic flair that has me worried about this meet.

When we pull up to the house, I can see the surprise on Lucas’s face.

“You lied.” Disappointment covers his features when he turns to me in front of the two-story house.

“I didn’t lie. I told you they obtained their wealth later in life. It’s just a house. I’ve never lived in it.”

“I’ve never asked what your father does.”

“He was a psychiatrist and a college professor, retired now.”

His smile is nonexistent at this point.

“I…I didn’t think to tell you, well, because he’s retired.”

Unease seeps from him and I place my hand on his stone jaw turning him to face me. “He is the kindest man you will ever meet, and he will love you like I do.”

His eyes soften, but the light in them is weak.

“Come on, Hollywood, come have some French meatloaf.”

He nods as if my shitty pep talk worked and grips my hand as I lead him toward the house.

Within the first thirty seconds of opening the door, I’m almost positive my mother has seared off more of his confidence with her lava gaze and ice-cold greeting. It’s clear to both of us she’s holding a grudge due to our secret relationship.

We’re in the seventh circle of hell now in her sitting room waiting for my father to get home and completely at her mercy. It’s taking every bit of strength I have not to glare at her and poke the bear.

Lucas studies old pictures of me situated over the mantle and on the side tables as my mother brags about my past accomplishments like I’m a prize pig.

“She was an amazing pianist. I don’t know why she quit.”

“It got boring,” I say simply as the sides of Lucas’s mouth lift up. “Just like horse riding and everything else you wanted me to love.”

“Thank God for that,” Lucas adds. “No horse riding.”

We share a laugh, and my mother lifts a brow.

“What’s wrong with horse riding, Mr. Walker?”

“Lucas,” he corrects for the second time. “I’m just not a fan of animals. Well, actually I think it’s the other way around.”

“Why is that?”

“Just, well, the first time I pet a dog it bit me, I have the scar to prove it. And then I went to the zoo with my class when I was ten, and a monkey threw…waste at me.”

She shrugs. “That’s common.”

“I thought so too until it kept happening. The first time I swam in the ocean, I got welcomed by a school of jellyfish.”

“Ouch,” I say. “You never told me that. Those little faded scars on your back?”

He nods.

“Well, you can’t know everything about the man,” my mother pipes in, “you’ve only been sleeping with him for ten minutes.”

“Mom,” I scold, before narrowing my eyes. She shrugs sitting as pretty as she pleases with her teacup in hand.

I can’t resist. I poke the bear. “Actually, mother dearest, ten minutes isn’t accurate. Lucas is far more generous,” I suck my bottom lip through my teeth, “the last round went well over an hour and a half.”

Lucas mutters an “oh shit,’ as she chokes on a sip of tea.

“Hello all,” my father interjects as he comes into the room, his warmth casting off her dark cloud. Relief washes over me as I hug him tightly in greeting.

“Hey, Dad,” I turn to see Lucas standing, and don’t miss my mother’s eyes rolling down his form. I decide then it’s going to be a dine and dash. I can’t subject him to this. Once we’re seated at the table, I swear I hear the bell ring, and it isn’t the dinner bell.