The Relationship Pact(43)

She chats easily with each person, asks questions about their business or child and even someone’s cat. Her attention to detail is awe-inspiring. Judging by their contented expressions, each person walks away feeling like the most important person in the room.

How the hell does she do that?

I spot her mother before we even get close. She has Larissa’s blond hair and curvy figure. She also wears a version of Larissa’s smile. It’s not as warm or quite as kind, and I can’t really imagine her throwing her head back and laughing like her daughter either. But the resemblance is close enough to pick her out of a room.

“Hi, Mom,” Larissa says as we approach them. “Hi, Jack.”

They smile as they see us coming.

Jack holds a glass tumbler of dark liquid, and Trista clutches a glass of pink-colored wine. They both do a quick assessment of me. I’m not sure what Jack thinks, but I can tell I pass Trista’s inspection.

Trista tears her eyes off me long enough to say hello to her daughter.

“Hi, Riss,” she coos, pulling my date into a hug that requires me to let go of her.

“Hey, Mom.”

As soon as she releases her mother, I take her hand again. I don’t think she minds.

“Glad you could make it, Larissa,” Jack says, smiling kindly. “And who is this strapping young fellow that you have with you?”

“Mom, Jack, this is Hollis,” she says.

I extend my free hand to Jack. “I’m Hollis Hudson. It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

He seems to appreciate the respect. His handshake is firm. “We’re glad you could join us.”

Trista’s wineglass sways in her hand as she takes a closer look at me. “Where did you meet Riss?”

“At Paddy’s,” Larissa says before I have a chance to answer. “We both reached for a chair at the same time.”

Jack taps on the side of his glass, drawing our attention his way.

“Your name is familiar to me,” he says, looking at me. “Are you from around here?”

“No, sir,” I say. “I’m from Indiana, but I do go to college at Braxton. It’s not that far from here.”

His eyes narrow. “You play football, don’t you?”

I grin. I love it when this happens. In the right audience and in the right year—which this is generally not—it’s pretty cool to be me. I hope, for Larissa’s sake, this is that audience.

“I do. Or, I did. I was the tight end,” I say, talking over the snort from Larissa. “This was my senior year.”

“I didn’t get to follow college football much this year. You had a hell of a season last year, though, didn’t you?”

Thank fuck he didn’t follow this year. He may not be quite as warm if he had.

Not that it really matters.

“Yeah. We won the National Championship. We had a great team and great coaches. It all worked out really well.”

He nods, still thinking. “Did you ever play any baseball?”

“No. No, I didn’t.” I laugh. “There are too many games a year and not enough opportunities to … express myself.”

He laughs, reading between the lines and understanding that I like to hit and get hit.

“I played football and baseball back in my day,” he says. “To be honest with you, I preferred football, but my body just wasn’t cut out to take the abuse, so I ended up focusing on baseball.”

“Well, by the looks of everything tonight, that choice has served you well.”

He smiles broadly. “I like this guy. Good job.” He tosses me a wink before excusing himself to get another drink.

Larissa gives my hand a gentle squeeze. I squeeze it back.

So far, so good.

Trista watches me over the rim of her wineglass. I wonder how many drinks she’s had because her eyes are just a touch glassy.

“Getting Jack’s endorsement is quite a feat,” she tells me. “I’m not sure he’s ever particularly liked someone who Larissa has been involved with.”

The idea of Larissa being involved with anyone sends a ripple of jealousy through me, which is crazy. I’ve never felt jealous over a girl before. Women are easy come, easy go.

Maybe I just ate too many cookies from Judy’s box this morning.

“Well,” I say, forcing a swallow. “I guess he has good taste. He chose you, didn’t he?”

She appreciates this. “That’s very true.”

“I’m sure he just wants what’s best for Larissa,” I say, upping the charm factor. “You have an amazing daughter, Mrs. Cunningham. I’m honored to be here with her tonight.”

Larissa lays her head against my arm. This doesn’t go unnoticed by her mother.

“Well, Hollis,” Trista says, impressed. “I’m delighted to know that you are here. Larissa looks positively smitten with you.”

“And I am with her, as well. But how could you not be? Just look at her.”

“That’s what I think too. She’s an incredible girl and I’m just …” She touches her chest. “Just thank you for coming tonight. I hope we can have dinner soon.”

“I would love that,” I lie. “But I’ll be going back to school soon. I need to finish my education so I can be worthy of your daughter.”