Chapter 13 #2
“You’re welcome.” I open the back door and grab the bouquet I bought for her mother. “Let’s do this.”
Before we reach the front door, a middle-aged woman with brown hair and a bright smile walks out of it, clutching her hands to her chest. “You were amazing in Accidentally in Matrimony. I can’t believe a movie star is dating my daughter.”
Mallory gestures to her. “This is my mom, Angela.”
“Please, call me Angie.” She extends her hand, shaking mine before pulling me in for a tight hug. “I’m just so happy Mallory is finally bringing a boy home.”
“Mom, what did we talk about?” A blush covers Mallory’s cheeks.
“Sorry.” Angie swipes under her eyes. “I can’t help it.”
Mallory’s father joins us outside and rubs gentle circles on Angie’s back. “You can tell how excited she is by what she cooks for dinner.” He extends a hand toward me. “I’m Todd.”
I give his hand a firm shake. “Griffin. Nice to meet you.”
“Did you make my favorite meal?” Mallory perks up, looking expectantly at her mom.
Angie’s smile falls. “No. Sorry, sweetie. I’ll make chicken and dumplings next time you come for dinner.”
“She made a meal fit for royalty.” Todd laughs, giving Angie’s shoulder a squeeze.
I wrap my arm around Mallory’s waist. “You didn’t have to make anything special for me.”
“Well, I hope you like filet mignon and lobster mac and cheese.” Todd claps me on the shoulder before leading me inside.
Mallory groans. “I told you not to go all out.”
“I wasn’t about to serve a celebrity food like chicken. A rich person on a reality show I watch called it ‘peasant food.’”
“Chicken wings are actually his favorite.”
My eyes fly to Mallory, surprised that she remembers. She blushes and looks at the ground, avoiding my gaze. But even that can’t stifle the glimmer of hope rising in me.
“Oh, no.” Angie grimaces. “I guess I shouldn’t trust those reality shows. I can run to the store and grab some wings.” She moves toward the front door.
I place my hand on her arm. “What you made sounds wonderful. Please never feel like you need to go out of your way for me, though. I’m just a boy from Tennessee.”
She smiles warmly at me before turning to her daughter. “You found yourself a keeper.”
“I know.” Mallory’s words come out strained. It’s a lie, but her parents don’t know that.
Even if nothing about our relationship is fake to me, I know it still is to Mallory. So, partaking in being dishonest to her family makes me feel awful.
“The filets should be done resting now.” Angie walks into the kitchen. “Let’s eat before dinner gets cold.”
Despite our protests, she sends us to the table and makes our plates. Angie brings them to the table, setting a plate in front of each of us. The cheesy notes mixed with the perfectly seared scent of the meat hit my nose.
“This smells delicious,” I say. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, dear.” She shoots me a thankful smile as she takes her seat.
Todd says a quick blessing, and we all dive in. The meat is seasoned to perfection and melts in my mouth.
“I cook a lot of meat, but this is the best filet I’ve ever had.”
“You don’t have to say that.” Angie flourishes her napkin.
“It’s the truth.” I take a bite of macaroni and cheese. It’s decadent with the lobster, and the combination of all the cheeses is delicious. “Mmm, I’ll eat your food any day, Angie.”
Angie blushes. “You’re always welcome here.” She wipes her mouth with her napkin. “Speaking of, do you have plans for Christmas?”
Mallory sputters mid-chew. She coughs, and I reach over, patting her back. “You good?”
She nods and takes a sip of her Dr. Pepper.
I clear my throat. “My parents are going on a cruise for Christmas, so I’ll just be here with my granny since she can’t travel far right now.
I’m not sure if Mallory told you, but she had a hip replacement.
That’s why I’m here, and how I got back in touch with your daughter.
” I smile at Mallory, who looks like she’d like the earth to open up and swallow her whole.
“I want to hear your story in a minute, but as for Christmas…” Angie pouts. “That won’t do. You and your grandmother will come spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with us.”
I study Mallory, trying to gauge her reaction. From her deer-in-the-headlights look, I’d say she doesn’t want me at her family’s holiday. “I don’t want to impose.”
Angie shakes her head with a tone of finality. “It’s a huge ordeal with all the extended cousins, and there’s always room for more.”
“Griffin, let me teach you something.” Todd sets down his utensils and steeples his hands. “Once my wife has her mind set on something, no one can change it.”
“Heard, sir.” I turn to Angie. “My granny and I would be honored to join your family for Christmas.”
“Wonderful.” She smiles and digs into her food.
I place my hand on Mallory’s knee and tap it, wondering how she feels about all of this. Her knee twitches against my touch, but she doesn’t have time to respond before her mother asks another question.
“I’ve been dying to hear the story of how you two met. I read about it in the tabloids, but they never get things right. And since Mallory hasn’t told me anything”—Angie shoots her daughter a look—“I was hoping you’d tell me the full story.”
“Gladly.” I finish my steak and lean back, clasping my hands in my lap. “It all started on a snowy winter night…”