She closed her eyes. For the first time, the thought of bringing someone home didn’t feel like an ambush. It felt like building a new table, right next to the old one.
“He’s an engineer, Dad. He just likes motorcycles.”
The family dinner table had always been a battlefield, but tonight, Lena sat in the eye of the storm. Her mother, Margaret, passed the mashed potatoes with the same rigid smile she used to announce life-changing news.
“I’m asking if you’ll hold my hand under the table while it happens.”
Lena felt her phone buzz in her lap. A text from Theo: “How bad is it? Scale of 1 to ‘I should fake my own death’?”
Her younger brother, Jamie, snorted. “Last month she brought a guy who thought ‘gluten’ was a yoga pose.”
Theo laughed—a low, steady sound. “Are you asking me to walk into a war zone for you?”
“They want to meet you,” she said, leaning against her car. “Full interrogation. Dad will ask about your ‘intentions.’ Mom will ask about your salary. Jamie will ask if you own a suit.”
A pause. Then, softly: “Lena, I’d learn to cook gluten-free casseroles for you. A dinner with your family? That’s the easy part.”
“We’re finalizing the guest list for your cousin’s engagement party,” Margaret said. “You’ll be bringing… someone?”
She bit back a smile. “Yes. His name is Theo.”
Her father, David, lowered his fork. “The one who fixes motorcycles?”
She closed her eyes. For the first time, the thought of bringing someone home didn’t feel like an ambush. It felt like building a new table, right next to the old one.
“He’s an engineer, Dad. He just likes motorcycles.”
The family dinner table had always been a battlefield, but tonight, Lena sat in the eye of the storm. Her mother, Margaret, passed the mashed potatoes with the same rigid smile she used to announce life-changing news.
“I’m asking if you’ll hold my hand under the table while it happens.” Family sexy video
Lena felt her phone buzz in her lap. A text from Theo: “How bad is it? Scale of 1 to ‘I should fake my own death’?”
Her younger brother, Jamie, snorted. “Last month she brought a guy who thought ‘gluten’ was a yoga pose.”
Theo laughed—a low, steady sound. “Are you asking me to walk into a war zone for you?” She closed her eyes
“They want to meet you,” she said, leaning against her car. “Full interrogation. Dad will ask about your ‘intentions.’ Mom will ask about your salary. Jamie will ask if you own a suit.”
A pause. Then, softly: “Lena, I’d learn to cook gluten-free casseroles for you. A dinner with your family? That’s the easy part.”
“We’re finalizing the guest list for your cousin’s engagement party,” Margaret said. “You’ll be bringing… someone?” “He’s an engineer, Dad
She bit back a smile. “Yes. His name is Theo.”
Her father, David, lowered his fork. “The one who fixes motorcycles?”
