I open the front door and hear laughter coming from the kitchen. Ben still holds my hand as we walk in. My mom, dad, brother, and two of my aunts are crowded around the kitchen table, all with drinks in hand.
Great, Aunt Tilly is here. She’s hilariously obnoxious when she’s drunk, with emphasis on the obnoxious part.
“Felicity,” Mom says, looking almost startled. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon. And your hair is back to brown. I like it better this way!” She sets down her wine glass and comes over to hug me.
“I got off work early,” I say and give her a one-armed hug back.
“And this is—”
“Ben,” I interrupt before she can question our relationship. I hate being awkward like this, and I hate that I feel like I’m lying to Ben or something. Like if he doesn’t consider me his girlfriend, then I feel like a real loser for calling him my boyfriend. I’m a fucking adult. I need to get over this. I roll my eyes at myself.
“Nice to meet you,” Ben says and shakes my mother’s hand. She’s looking him up and down like he’s a mirage and might not be real … which is better than the way Aunt Tilly is looking at him. She has one eyebrow raised and runs her finger along the lip of her wine glass, fucking Ben with her eyes.
Ben, please don’t notice. Or notice but don’t care. I go around with introductions and open the fridge. I get a beer for Ben and a wine cooler for myself.
“Did you get a new car?” Jake asks me, looking outside. “You can afford a brand-new Audi?”
“I can,” I say, “if I don’t want to eat or pay my bills. But no, it’s Ben’s car.”
Jake turns to Ben and compliments the car, exchanging a few words about engines or something I know nothing about.
“So, Ben,” my other aunt asks. My mom has two sisters, Matilda—Tilly—and Miranda, and they all look alike. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m an artist,” he says.
“Oh, interesting!” Mom comes around the table and sits next to Dad. “What kind of artist?”
Ben smiles; he’s used to the questions. “I primarily paint, but I’ve gotten into sculpting more lately.”
“He has a gallery in Grand Rapids,” I say. “That’s how we met. I did some computer work for him.”
“If you ever need models,” Aunt Tilly says and dramatically flips her hair. “I can sacrifice my time for you.”
Mom and Aunt Miranda laugh, then watch us, waiting for more details.
“So, what’s the plan?” I ask, jumping right in and breaking up the stunned silence I’m still getting from my family. Way to make me feel good. Act like me bringing home a decent-looking guy with an expensive car is as rare as Loki handing over his scepter.
“The same as always,” Dad says, finally speaking for the first time. “BBQ chicken on the grill tonight, bonfire, and watch the early fireworks over the lake. Then it’s boat and booze time tomorrow with a little fishing thrown in!”
My aunts cheer. What does Ben think of us?
“The water’s a little choppy for water skiing,” Dad goes on. “But it’s perfect for tubing.”
“Tubing,” I inform Ben, “is Dad’s version of whipping you around the lake on an inflatable raft, laughing as you go flying off and declaring himself the winner.”
“Sounds fun,” Ben says with a smile.
“No one can beat me,” Dad boasts proudly.
“Dad,” I say, rolling my eyes yet smiling. “You can’t be beaten when you don’t get on the tube yourself.”
“Exactly,” he shoots back. “Though Felicity does hold the record for staying on the longest. Want to try and break the record this year?”
“You’re on.” Ben and I sit at the island counter. “Where’s Danielle?” I ask Jake.
“She went with her friend to see her sister. I guess she’s going through a divorce and is having a hard time. She’ll be here in the morning.”
“Bummer for Danielle’s sister.”
“It’s her friend’s sister,” Jake corrects. “You met the friend, Zoey, at the shower.”
“Oh, yeah,” I say, not recalling the girl at all. “Well, that’s nice of her to help her out.”
Jake nods, getting that love-struck look in his eyes again. “That’s just how she is. She’s bringing them with her tomorrow to help cheer her friend up.”
Dad stands. “Ben, do you know how to drive a boat?”
“I don’t,” Ben replies.
Dad flicks his eyes to me and I know exactly why he’s asking. He wants to talk to Ben, make sure he’s treating me well. I silently plead with my father to be nice. He gives me a wink then looks back at Ben. “Want to learn?”