Love In Between(49)

“Why are you laughing?” Luke asked as he walked over to me.

“I look ridiculous like this.”

As he cupped my ass, he grinned. “I seriously want to f*ck you with that helmet on.”

I instantly removed the helmet, turned around, and smacked Luke on chest. “You’re crazy! I’m not having sex with that on!” I exclaimed.

Luke sighed. “Fine, leave it off then,” he said as he pushed me down on the bed and smiled.

***

I looked out the window of Luke’s Jeep as we drove down the street to his parent’s house. The streets were lined with trees and huge houses with well-manicured lawns. Luke reached over and took my hand.

“Please tell me you’re not nervous.”

“Why would I be nervous? I’m only meeting my boyfriend’s parents for the first time,” I said as I looked over at him.

“You’re a smart-ass.” Luke laughed as he brought my hand to his lips and gently kissed it.

As he pulled into the driveway, I admired the vast amount of palm trees that stood in front of the beige color, two-story home. I took in a deep breath before Luke got out of his Jeep and walked around to open the door for me.

“Close your eyes and breathe, Lily,” he said as he helped me from the Jeep. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. My family is as easygoing as they come, and they’re going to love you.”

I nodded my head and smiled as we walked up the driveway to the front door. As Luke put his hand on the handle and pushed the door open, Charley came running over to us.

“Uncle Luke, Lily!” she exclaimed as Luke scooped her up in his arms.

“Long time no see, peanut,” he said as he tapped her on the nose.

“Grandma, Grandpa, and Mommy are in the kitchen,” she said.



“Well, let’s go see them and introduce Lily.” Luke smiled.

We walked down the hallway, and I could hear the rapid beating of my heart. As we approached the kitchen, Luke put Charley down and walked over to his mom.

“Luke, you’re here!” she exclaimed as she hugged him tight. “Thank you for the beautiful flower arrangement.”

Maddie walked over to me and gave me a hug. “Don’t be nervous,” she whispered.

Luke broke his hug from his mom and turned to his dad who patted him on the back as the two of them hugged each other. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Lily Gilmore.” Luke smiled as he held out his hand for mine.

“Oh, Lily, It’s wonderful to meet you! You can call me Annie,” she said as she hugged me tight.

“It’s nice to meet you as well; I’ve heard so much about you.”

“It better be all good, or Luke will be in trouble,” Annie said as she shot Luke a look.

“Of course it’s all good.” I smiled.

Luke’s father held his arms out. “It’s nice to meet you, Lily. You can call me Tom.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Tom.” I smiled.

Luke walked over, smiled, and put his arm around me. “They love you already,” he whispered.

I stood in front of the island and admired the granite counter tops that sat amongst the cherry cabinets, which matched the cherry wood floors. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the kitchen in my childhood home. The resemblance was incredible.

“Come on everyone, let’s start cooking dinner!” Annie exclaimed.

“What are we having, Mom?” Luke asked.

“We’re making Chicken Marsala tonight, and I have everyone’s job assigned,” she said as she pulled a white piece of paper from her pocket. “Tom, you’re in charge of pounding out the chicken breasts. Luke, you’re in charge of making the coating for the chicken, and Lily, you’re in charge of slicing the mushrooms. Maddie, you’re in charge of making the salad, and I will make the potatoes.”

“Grandma, what about me?” Charley frowned.

“You, my dear grandbaby, are in charge of helping me with the potatoes. Once I slice them, I need you to place them in the dish.”

Luke and I took our place at the counter where all the ingredients were laid out. I took the mushrooms and started slicing them while Luke prepared the coating for the chicken. Being a part of this gave me an incredible feeling. Annie was a breath of fresh air. She stood about 5’2” with a petite stature. Her chestnut colored, mid-length hair, softly framed her face. Her eyes were a deep brown, and her smile reminded me of Luke’s. From what I could already tell, her personality was bubbly and full of life. She was a real family person, and I took comfort in the fact that, for this night, I could be a part of it.

“I really like how your mom does this with dinner,” I said to Luke.

“It’s ok now, but it was kind of annoying growing up. Imagine your friends calling you to hang out and you telling them you can’t because you have to cook dinner with your mom. I was teased a lot.”

“Aw, poor baby,” I said as I put a mushroom in his mouth.

Annie put the potatoes in the oven as Luke handed Tom the coated chicken and put it in the skillet. Tom was a handsome man who stood about 6’0” tall with a muscular build. His short, sandy brown hair and hazel eyes reminded me a great deal of Luke.

“Ok everyone, the potatoes are in the oven, the chicken is in the skillet, the salad is made, and now you can rest until it’s ready!” Annie exclaimed.