Todd does a twirl. He’s wearing jeans, a white short-sleeved shirt, and black loafers. With his tan and his hair, he looks perfect.
“You look good, but we’re late. Mom abhors tardiness.”
“You only gave me twenty minutes! It takes time to look this good,” snaps Todd theatrically.
I close my front door and put my hands on his chest. “I need Deputy Todd tonight, not normal Todd.”
“Too gay?”
“A little. Could you rein it in a touch?”
With a flick of his head, Todd agrees. “Just because it’s you.”
I kiss him on the cheek, and he takes my hand as we traverse the pathway down to his car.
“One day, you’re going to break your neck on this.”
“Nah, I used to visit the lady who owned this before me. I’m used to it.”
Todd gives me a disapproving look and shakes his head.
“What do I need to know about tonight?”
“Nothing. Be the attentive boyfriend, just for tonight, and that’s it. I told Mom you were coming, and she said she always cooks too much, so it’s fine.”
“I like your mom and dad.”
“They like you, too.”
“Have you told them?”
“About you?” Todd nods. “No, it’s no one’s business but yours.”
We get to the end of the path, and Todd opens the door to his cruiser.
“You brought your work car?”
His face goes a nice shade of red. “Yes, I’m on duty.”
“You’re always on duty. Why didn’t you bring Betty?”
Betty is his 1972 light blue Citroen.
“This is more manly.”
Laughter bubbles up out of me. “There’s nothing wrong with Betty.”
“I know, but this makes a statement.”
“You sure it wasn’t just so you could remind Kris he’d met you earlier?”
Todd’s face goes a deeper red. “Just get in the car, woman.”
I giggle and slide in. “Yes, officer.”
***
It’s a short drive to my parents’ house. When we arrive, Todd gets out and runs around the cruiser to open my door, then he links his arm through mine.
“Stop grinning like a kid,” I chastise him. “Remember, you’re my date.”
“Right! Right!” he replies, trying to look serious.
“You’re hopeless. Come on, Romeo, let’s go have dinner.”
Dad opens the door to the house. “You’re late!”
“Sorry, Dad. My hair took longer to dry than I thought. We’re only fifteen minutes late.”
Dad shakes his head at Todd. “Women, hey?”
“Yes, sir, they take forever.”
I scowl at Todd grinning at me, and we go inside. I lead the way into my parents’ dining room. Sitting at the table are TB, Ashlea, Mom, Kris, and Sophia. Mom has all the women on one side of the table and the men on the other. Todd is sitting next to Kris and looks like he’s about to explode with excitement.
I sit and smile at Kris. “Hey, Kris, you look good.”
“Hello, Athena.” He smiles then gestures to Sophia. “Athena, this is Sophia.”
“Hello,” I say cheerfully. “Kris, Sophia, this is Todd.”
“Ahh, deputy, we met earlier today at the café, yes?” purrs Sophia.
“Yes, ma’am. I was there for crowd control.”
Sophia’s laugh tinkles through the dining room. “Ma’am? Please call me, Sophia.”
“Sophia,” repeats Todd. “Did you have a nice drive down? Was it comfortable in that car? It’s a Spyder, yes?”
Kris turns slightly to talk to Todd. “We flew into Portland. It’s just a rental. The studio arranged it. And yes, it’s comfortable. So, you’re the town’s deputy? How many do we have these days?”
“It’s just the Sheriff and me. Not much happens in Boothbay, but you know that.”
“Indeed,” replies Kris as he locks eyes with me. “TB says you’re an international best-selling author?”
“That’s right, our girl is a best seller,” booms Dad.
I nod as words fail me under Kris’ scrutiny.
“Now that everyone is here…” Mom looks at me. “Let’s dig in.”
“Sorry, Mom.”
Mom smiles at me.
“Sophia, I do hope you like seafood?” asks Mom.
Sophia’s head snaps in her direction then back to Kris. “Kris!”
“Oh, shit.” Kris looks at my dad. “Ah, sorry, Mr. Boswell.”
“It’s okay, Kris, you’re not fifteen anymore, you can say shit. I’m sure you all say worse,” responds Dad as he ladles Mom’s paella onto his plate.
“Kris,” hisses Sophia.
“Is there a problem?” I ask.
“I’m allergic to shellfish.”
Kris stands. “I’m so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Boswell, I forgot.”
“Nonsense, don’t worry. There’s plenty of vegetables, corn, peas, potatoes, and carrots,” says Mom.
Sophia stands. “No, I’m sorry, Kris should have told you. They’re all carbs. We’re starting a new movie in a few weeks, and I need to stay in shape.”
“So, you’re both going?” asks Todd.
“I can cook something else?” says Mom.
“Mom, you spent most of today on this. No one expects you to go back into the kitchen,” interjects TB with attitude.
Kris glances down at him and nods. “TB’s right. Sophia, I’ll drop you back to the motel, you can order room service, and I’ll come back here to discuss the wedding. How does that sound?”
The room goes quiet.
Dad is frozen mid-air putting another cob of corn on his plate as we all stare at Sophia.
Her lips turn down at the corners, but she soon smiles at my mother. “I’m so sorry to be a bother, Mrs. Boswell. Perhaps we could do this another time? Kris, of course, you can drive me back, and yes, you should definitely catch up and get all of the wedding stuff out of the way. It’s going to be a big week. Ashlea, it’s so good seeing you again and you, Todd.”
Sophia heads for the front door, and we all look at Kris. “I’ll be back. Don’t wait.”
“Kris, I’m pretty sure the motel doesn’t have a restaurant attached. What are you going to do?” I ask.
Kris scrubs a hand over his face and through his blond locks, and suddenly, he looks like the boy I fell in love with.
“I’ll figure something out.”
Kris walks out of the house, and we wait until we hear the car drive away before any of us speak.
“What a bitch,” says TB.
“Ares! You will not talk that way at your mother’s table,” says Dad.
“You told Kris he could say shit.”
“I was trying to be cool, but I am not that cool.”
I can’t help it, I burst out laughing as does everyone else.
“Wow, she’s a piece of work, isn’t she?” asks Ashlea.
“You can’t blame her. Poor dear, she does look like she hasn’t had a decent meal in a while. Kris should have told us.” That’s my mom, always the peacekeeper.