Page 75 of Married to Lies

“Looking good, mama,” he called.

I did a little twirl, thankful someone thought so.

He whistled again, and I chuckled.

“You’re gonna make some girl happy one day,” I called back.

“Let it be you,” he said with his hands in a prayer gesture.

“Keep praying,” I teased.

Dom picked up a paper cup and crumpled it against his chest, theatrically falling over, and I giggled before giving him a wave and heading to the private parking garage. As I approached, Quentin pushed off the car. “You look beautiful,” he told me, eyes slowly raking over my body.

All my nerve endings were on fire, and I knew instinctively he could put each and every one of them at ease. “Thank you,” I said, getting into the car. Seeing Divi in the front seat helped me get my mind in a better place. “Divi! How’s your day? Did you memorize the way to the theater?”

He grinned at me. “It’s better now.” He tapped his forehead. “The route is all up here.”

“Good.” I settled back into my seat as Quentin got in. “It smells amazing in here. What air freshener do you use?”

Divi gestured to the passenger seat. I hadn’t noticed before, but there was a massive display of multi-colored roses. “That’s all Q’s doing.”

I gave Quentin a curious look.

He shifted in his seat and mumbled, “I heard we should give flowers to the performer.”

My expression softened as I looked from him to the roses that even fit the theme of the event. “Q, that’s so sweet.” I patted his shoulder. “Told you, you were a big teddy bear.”

He gripped my hand and lowered his voice. “Don’t tell anyone. I wouldn’t want to ruin my reputation.” There was a small curve to his lips that had me smiling too.

“It’ll be our secret.”

It hit me how ironic that line was as we drew closer to the recital, where my family would get “in on” my secret with Quentin. My only saving grace was that traffic stalled us long enough that the show had started by the time we arrived.

Quentin and I slid into the back row, watching dancers wave flags and ribbons across the stage. The giant bouquet of roses he brought took up a chair on their own. Several rows up, I saw my mom, dad, and brother, two open seats next to them. They were saving one for Eleanor and me. Ellie was probably backstage with Lulu, getting ready.

Mom twisted in her seat with an annoyed look, and I could tell she was searching for me, wondering where I was.

I waved my hand with an apologetic smile.

She seemed relieved and turned toward the front. She hadn’t even noticed Quentin sitting beside me. Maybe she thought he was here with someone else.

The curtains closed for intermission, and I mumbled to Quentin, “If things go badly, save yourself.”

Quentin chuckled. “I wouldn’t leave you to the wolves.”

“Wolves’ teeth aren’t as sharp,” I muttered before getting up and walking to the lobby to meet my parents. Quentin’s hand on my low back was a soothing presence as much as a reminder of what I had to tell my parents.

“Rei, who is this?” my mother trilled. In the rush of people coming out to the theater lobby, she’d snuck up on me. I turned to see her, Dad, and Dennis looking from Quentin to me with confused looks.

I held on to Quentin’s arm. “Mom, Dad... This is Quentin. My... fiancé.” I tried to smile, but I’m pretty sure it turned out to be a grimace.

Mom blinked quickly like I’d told her there were aliens on her front porch or that tea was better without sugar.

“Fiancé?” Dad asked with some attitude to his voice. “You didn’t ask me first.”

That’s what he was worried about?

Dennis said, “But Conrad came to Christmas dinner with you...”