"No, thank you."
"So tell me, how are things at the club?"
"Good. We're ready for opening night. It's exciting to see it all come together and be a part of that. Crew's meticulous." I laugh. "I don't think failure is in his vocabulary."
She laughs too. "He's always been that way. Once he decides, that's how it's going to be. Stubborn child, so much like his father."
"Trust me, I know all too well."
"Oh honey, they're all bossy and possessive, but what you need to understand is that you are truly the one in control," she says, lowering her voice.
"You've met your son, right?"
She chuckles. "Oh yes, and like I said, he's just like his father. You're the first girl he's brought home, so I know you're the one to share this wisdom with." She looks around me at the door, making sure the coast is clear, I assume, before she bestows her wisdom up on me. "Let me guess. He's demanding, jealous, pushy. Am I getting close?" She smirks.
"Nail on the head."
"Figured as much. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. He likes to act as though he's the one in charge, but that's not the case. Trust me, if and when the time comes for you to put your foot down, he will bend to your will. It's almost comical." She laughs under her breath. "Dating his father was the same way. I got fed up one day and took a stand. He started to see things my way."
"Interesting," I tell her. "Although, we're still pretty new, so I don't think I hold that kind of power yet, but it's good to file away for a later date."
Before she can answer, Crew and Dan join us. I watch as Dan rests his hands on his wife's hips. "Can I help with anything?" he asks, kissing her cheek.
I look away, not wanting to be a voyeur, and feel strong hands wrap around my waist. "You good, baby?" Crew asks. He doesn't bother to lower his voice.
Sarah looks over at me and winks. "You have more than you realize."
"That's cryptic," Crew says, humor in his voice.
"Grab some plates," Sarah tells Dan. "Honey, drinks, please," she tells Crew. It's amazing how she commands them and they jump to it.
"Well done." I hold my hand out to her for a high five.
Once everyone has plates and we're all seated, we start to dig in. "Mmm, this is amazing," I tell Sarah.
"Thanks, I'll have to give you the recipe. It's one of Crew's favorites."
"You ready for the opening?" Dan asks.
"Yeah, we've got everything under control."
"Behind every man is a good woman." Dan chuckles.
Crew grabs my hand, places it on the table and laces his fingers through mine. "I couldn't agree more."
"You all go sit where it's more comfortable. We'll get the dishes." Dan stands and starts grabbing plates. Crew kisses my temple and joins him.
"More girl talk," Sarah says as I follow her to the living room.
"Thank you so much for dinner." I started to say, "for having me" but she really didn't get much choice in that part.
"You're welcome here anytime. So, how was your day?"
"Good. We, uh, we had lunch with my parents at their place, and now we're here."
"Crew, my son, went to your parents' for lunch?"
I nod. "He did."
"Oh, Berklee, sweetheart, you have no idea how excited that makes me."
"What's making my wife excited that I don't know about?" Dan asks as he and Crew join us.
"Well, Berklee was just telling me how they had lunch with her parents today."
I chance a look at Crew from where he now sits beside me to gauge his reaction. Is he going to be pissed that I told her?
He smiles at Sarah. "We did, and they're great. I'm sure you'll meet them soon enough."
Dan's the one to speak up this time. "Ah," he says, like he finally gets it. He glances over at me and must see the question in my eyes. "My boy here once declared that meeting the parents was something he would never do. We've tried for years to get him to bring his dates over. He assured us that if and when that happened, we would know he was in it for the long haul."
I can feel the heat coat my cheeks as embarrassment floods me. Crew leans in front of me, blocking me from his parents' view. "Mine." One word. That's all it takes for the embarrassment to fade.
He and Dan talk about the club, Sarah and I chiming in here and there. I mostly just sit back and watch his interaction with his parents. It's an all new side of Crew Ledger, one I'm glad I'm getting to see.
"We better get going." He stands and offers me his hand. Always the gentleman. My bossy gentleman. I know now where he gets it.
"If we don't see you before the opening, best of luck. And you"-Sarah walks toward me-"come back any time. We'd love to have you."