Page 35 of More Than a Match

He looks around, taking it all in.

“You look great, by the way. Where’d you get the suit?”

He chuckles and presses another quick kiss to the top of my head. “What, you think I don’t have nice clothes for occasions like this?”

“Oh, you meet your girlfriend’s parents often?”

“You know what I mean, you goober.”

“Mina, darling, is that him?” my mother calls from the kitchen.

“Yes! He’s here!”

“Well, bring him in here! Don’t make me wait all night!”

I look at Alex and grimace slightly. “Here we go,” I whisper.

“I’m ready,” he whispers back. “Lead the way.”

I take him to the kitchen, where my mom is putting the finishing touches on dinner. She turns around, a smile on her face, her eyes roaming up and down Alex’s physique.

“Mina, you didn’t tell me how handsome your friend is!”

“Mom, stop,” I plead as I feel a blush begin to form.

“What, I’m just saying.” She turns her attention back to the simmering pot in front of her. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Alex.”

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Alex replies, smirking at me. “Mina failed to mention how radiant her mother is, so I think we’re even.”

“Oh ho ho, a charmer, too? Mina, I like this one!”

I shake my head and hold back a chuckle. He’s already making a good impression, despite my discomfort at the situation.Good.

“I’m almost finished here, why don’t you go wait with your father in the sitting room?”

“Oh, are you sure you don’t need any help?”

I’m not surprised Alex offered to help; it’s in his nature. But clearly my mother hadn’t expected it.

“Oh, my. You are such a sweet boy. What a gentleman! No, no, I’ve got this in hand. Go relax and I’ll tell you when the food is ready!”

I don’t allow him to offer again. I grab his hand and lead him to the sitting room, where my father is waiting. Just before we go in, he pulls up short and presses his body against my back, wrapping his arm around my chest.

“How am I doing so far?” he murmurs into my ear.

“A gold star for the sweet boy,” I murmur back, teasing him with my mother’s words. “The perfect gentleman.”

“Good. Now let’s see if I can charm your father as easily.”

“I doubt it, but I’ve learned not to underestimate you.”

We enter the room, and my father looks up from his phone.

“Ah, princess, is this your friend?” He rises from the couch and comes over to us, extending his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for looking after our girl while she was laid up.”

“Oh, it was entirely my pleasure,” Alex replies, shaking my father’s outstretched hand. “Only the very best care is good enough, and I had to make sure she was getting it.”

“I can’t tell you how much it means to us, truly. Your call was both terrifying and comforting. To know our Mina was hurt and in pain, but also to know she had a guardian angel watching over her… it helped make the worry go away.”

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