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My eyes go wide. “How did you know?”
“I’ve been expecting it since she brought her first boyfriend home.” Eugene admits, crossing his arms. “Mostly because I went through it with Nora’s father as well.”
He chuckles softly, but I know I am not out of the red yet.
“I plan on doing right by her, Eugene,” I assure him solemnly.
“I believe you.” His eyes meet mine, and for a moment I think I see them tearing up. “And I’m glad it’s you, and not your brother. We’ve had more of a conversation in these fifteen minutes I’ve known you, than Ryan and I had during all the years he was with Mia.”
I chuckle, feeling a bit sorry for my brother.
“Just promise me you won’t let Mia get hurt, will you?” Eugene goes on, and I step forward, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“That you don’t have to worry about,” I assure him firmly.
“Just don’t go calling me dad, okay?” he brushes my hand away from him. “I have one kid, and that’s enough for me.”
I start to laugh. Nora pokes her head inside the garage, calling us for dinner, and everything seems to be going well.
Until it’s time to meet my parents, that is.
Chapter Thirty-Three
MIA
We had a good time with my parents and I’m grateful things went smoothly, but facing Ethan’s parents won’t be easy.
It will be the first time I’ve seen them since I broke up with Ryan, and I can already imagine the can of worms that will open when they see me dating their oldest son instead.
Tonight marks our last evening in Detroit, and Glenda insists on cooking the meal herself. However, she didn’t graciously open her own kitchen to us. Instead, she took over Ethan’s kitchen, commandeering control from his cook as well.
After enduring her tenth critique about my onion chopping technique, I leave Delilah, the cook, to fend for herself and retreat to the master bedroom for a much-needed break.
Soon after, footsteps follow me. For a moment, I’m terrified it’s Glenda, but soon realize those steps are not in high heels and relax a little.
I have my head in between my knees when Ethan walks in.
“Oh… It’s you,” I say with relief, lifting my head and fanning myself.
“Is she giving you a hard time?” he asks, sitting by my side and gently rubbing my shoulders.
“She gives everyone a hard time, Ethan!” I say, as wary of Glenda Matthews as I’ve ever been. “Poor Delilah confessed that she’s on the verge of quitting, right here and right now.”
Ethan kisses my cheek then murmurs softly, “I’ll go talk to her.”
“Wait, no.” I hold him back, both hands on his wrists. “You are going to talk to her about me?”
“Um, yeah…” Ethan says, looking confused. “It’s you she’s tormenting, isn’t it?”
“No!” I hold onto his waist now. “Ethan, seriously… All that’s missing is for this woman to make me walk across hot coals just to prove I'm worthy of bearing her grandchild.”
Ethan doesn’t laugh, nor should he. I’m dead serious. Instead, he strokes my hair, standing by me and being supportive.
“Let’s both go talk to her,” he suggests. His boldness and the wink he gives me seems cheesy, but it does give me the courage to face Glenda with him.
We walk into the kitchen to find her berating Delilah. “Where do you think you’re going? You’re my only help in here!”
“I’m going to the bathroom, Mrs. Matthews,” Delilah says, removing her apron and tossing it aside.
