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Chapter Seven
~Thomas~
“Dinner was wonderful Mrs. Banks,” Coco told my mother as she helped clear the table. “Thank you so much for having me over.”
“Oh, don’t be silly,” my mother insisted. “We were thrilled you could make it.”
They walked into the kitchen together, leaving my father and I alone at the table.
“Does Bill know you’re dating his daughter?” Dad asked bluntly the minute the women seemed to be out of earshot.
“Not yet,” I admitted. “And we aren’t dating. It’s dinner. Chaperoned even.”
“Right.” Dad blew out a sigh.
“I like her,” I told him seriously, holding his gaze. “A lot.”
“You’ve known her for three days,” he pointed out. “Is she really worth losing your education over?”
“Maybe. If it comes to that.” I stared at him. “How do you know about that?”
“About what?” he asked, but I noticed he shifted his gaze from mine immediately.
“About the fact that Bill warned me he’d fire me over Coco?”
“Bill has always been very protective of her,” Dad explained. “I’m sure he warned you what would happen if you ever laid a hand on her.”
“My hands have been nowhere near her,” I lied. I was pretty sure kisses didn’t really count. At least, that’s what I’d decided to tell myself. Besides, she started it.
“You brought her here to meet us,” Dad argued.
“I did,” I agreed. “Because if I do get fired, I wanted you to understand why.”
“She’s pretty special,” Dad said softly.
“She’s amazing,” I said, unable to keep from smiling. “I think I could spend the rest of my life with her.”
Dad chuffed out a laugh and shook his head.
“What?” I asked.
“You,” he said, shrugging. “You spent your whole life up in your room, playing video games and letting the world pass you by. Never once had a girlfriend that I know of. You know this girl for five minutes and you think she’s it.”
“Carl dear,” Mom said as she came back into the dining room with Coco behind her. “We should get going.”
“Right,” Dad agreed, getting to his feet. “We’re going to the Smith’s to play cards.” He turned to Coco and held out his hand. “Constance, it was lovely to finally meet you.”
“You as well Mr. Banks,” Coco said politely. “Thank you again for dinner.”
My mom hugged Coco and my parents left, leaving us alone in the house.
“So, can I see your room?” Coco asked as soon as the door shut.
“Tenacious,” I teased. I reached out and took her hand. “Come on up.”
I led her up the stairs to my old room, which was exactly how I’d left it since high school. I sat on the bed and watched as Coco examined it, looking at every picture on the wall, picking up toys and setting them back down again. Finally, she turned toward the t.v. and froze.
“Is that an N64?” she asked, awe evident in her tone.
