Page 55 of Reaching Gavin

“That would be a tad dramatic. Besides they already saw me without underwear on. It can’t get much worse.” It was worth the look on his face to say it, but I added quickly, “I had that shirt on, remember? I don’t think they saw anything. It’s just not how I would’ve chosen to meet your parents.”

“Believe me, this isn’t how I wanted it to be either.”

I did my best to sound upbeat. “Maybe this way there’s less pressure.”

I would’ve been obsessing for days over what to wear or worrying about spilling wine all over myself. Now, I didn’t need to worry about embarrassing myself, because I already had.

“You’re really an optimist aren’t you?” Gavin reached for the doorknob. “You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

It was distinctly more comfortable to enter fully clothed. In the mad dash I’d made to get dressed, they’d set the table and laid out a full breakfast. My stomach rumbled at the scent of vanilla and chocolate chips. I thought I even smelled bacon. At least if they were going to ambush us, they had brought food.

“Morning, honey. Would you like some coffee?” Rebecca Sound beamed at her son, French press in her hand. She looked so much like him: dark hair and blue eyes, although she was more petite than either of her children.

“Mom.” Gavin went over and hugged her, kissing her on the cheek. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

There was no missing the edge to his words.

“I tried to tell your father,” she said defensively.

“She did,” Richard carried pancakes to the table. “But I didn’t listen.”

He was where his kids got their height. He looked older than his wife, but in that distinguished way. His hair had grayed but he wore his age with grace.

“You could have at least called,” Gavin reprimanded them as Rebecca brushed some invisible lint off his shirt.

“You are too skinny. Are you eating enough?” She bypassed his comments altogether.

“I don’t cook,” I said apologetically, feeling like I needed to put a foot into this conversation and only realizing at the last moment that it was the wrong thing to say. Foot in mouth struck again.

“Well, that’s no excuse. It’s not your job to do it for him,” Rebecca spoke as though this suggestion was ludicrous. “My son can cook. You look too skinny, too. Gavin, you need to be cooking this girl dinner. I taught you better.”

I watched as Richard Sound, the founder and CEO of one of the most successful businesses in the world, prepared the table and made everyone plates. She obviously believed in this philosophy. I liked her already. No wonder Imogen had such a mind of her own.

“What are your plans for today?” Richard asked as we all sat down and began to take in to our ready-made plates.

I decided to let Gavin field that question. He was the one that knew this island. Besides, he was probably going to have to come up with something. I doubted he had plans to get farther than the bedroom.

I’d just lifted the first bite of pancake to my lips when Rebecca shook her head. “Richard, they were probably going to spend the whole day in bed, having sex like normal twenty-somethings, and you decided this was going to be a family weekend.”

The bite of pancake I had just taken lodged in my throat and I tried to get it back up. Hopefully, my choking would explain the way my cheeks colored. Gavin knocked me on the back as though that would be helpful, but I finally got it back up. I swallowed hard and reached for my glass of orange juice, hoping that Gavin’s mother didn’t continue to be so forthright.

“Mom, can you try not to kill my girlfriend?” Gavin requested. He hadn’t started eating yet. Instead, he was pinching the bridge of his nose and looking rather ruffled.

“They can have sex later. He has his own wing of the house.” Richard seemed oblivious to everything that had happened.

“Dad!”

“You’re an adult. Which is why we never see you. Okay, I’m sorry,” His dad gave in. “I just want to spend some time with you.”

“What did you have in mind?” Gavin asked. “Piling into bed with me and my girlfriend?”

It still sent a thrill bursting through me when he said girlfriend.

“We’ll call next time,”Rebecca promised. She reached over and patted Gavin’s hand in reassurance. Then, she turned her attention to me. “So you’re an intern at NorthWest Investments.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of the tone of her voice. Would his parents not approve of him dating a lowly intern? I guessed there was nothing I could do about that. I nodded. “For the summer.”