Page 11 of For One Night

I scramble toward the door. “On my way down.” He ends the call without another word.

I jerk the door open as I remember my purse. “Dang it!”

“Catch!” I whirl around in the nick of time as Millie tosses my clutch to me.

“Thanks!” I wave as I close the door.

I hurry to the elevator, pushing the button multiples times until it opens. Stepping through the doors before they’re fully open, I punch the down button. I do a twist and a couple turns, checking myself one last time.

“I’m good.” My stomach knots as I stare into my reflection. “You’re good.”

As my ride comes to a stop, I take a deep breath and step out when the doors open. Carter’s sitting in his SUV in front of the building. He doesn’t get out, but that’s just his way.

Opening the door, I slip into the seat and begin to fasten my belt. “Hello, I’m sorry I’m late.”

“You know, Lola, punctuality is important to me.” He checks the traffic before pulling away.

“I do; I apologize.” I turn my head, not wanting him to see the frustration written on my face. Maybe it’s his I don’t want to witness.

“We’ll be hard-pressed to make our reservation on time,” he grumbles.

I bite the inside of my jaw, trying to hold my tongue. “I understand. I worked late, but I did my best to be ready on time.”

“It’s an important night, Lola.”

I glance at him as a light catches us. “I apologize, Carter.”

“You’re meeting my parents, Lola. First impressions are everything,” he says through gritted teeth.

“You never told me I was meeting your parents.” I’ve been by his side for two years and never once has he mentioned me meeting his parents. He met mine the first year, spring semester. Thisis BIG.

His head whips around. “I’m sure I told you. You must not have heard me.”

“I’m positive you did not tell me.” Usually, I leave it when he says he told me things, and I know very well he didn’t, but I can’t leave this. “This is something girls wait on in a relationship; it signifies legitimization.”

His right eye begins to tick, and it’s my sign I’ve gone too far. “IF you would rather not go, I can pull over, but you’ll have to take a cab home. I will not be late.”

“I never said I didn’t want to go.”

He glances at me, giving me a quick appraisal. “Are you sure about that?”

My shoulders slump as I curl into myself. “If you think it’s better I don’t go, please pull over. I would never dream of embarrassing you.”

“Pull your hair up, change that ridiculous color on your lips, and there’s a jacket in the back.” I get to work on making myself presentable. I never would’ve worn a low-cut red dress if I had known we were meeting his parents. “Sometimes I think you’re trying to get rid of me.”

“Never, Carter.” I pull the visor down to fix my hair. I pin it up in a makeshift bun and pull a tissue from my clutch to remove my lipstick.

“You can wear that later.” He reaches over, rubbing my thigh.

I hold back tears as I plaster a smile on. “You need to stop if we’re going to be on time.”

Silence fills the car for the last few blocks to the restaurant. I’ve changed my hair, fixed my makeup, and put a coat on over my dress. I’m presentable I suppose, but I feel hidden. Ashamed.

“Please wait for me to introduce you once we’re inside. Shake my father’s hand, kiss my mother’s cheek but do not leave lipstick on her,” he directs me as he pulls up to the parking attendant.

“Of course, I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.” I stare straight ahead as anger boils in my belly.

Carter gets out, walking around to my side as the attendant helps me from the car. “I’ve got her.” He takes my hand, pulling me toward a sitting area away from the door. He spins me around to face him. “Look, I’m sorry. I know I’m overreacting, but this is paramount to our future.”