Page 36 of More Than a Match

“That’s why I’m here,” Alex says with a smile. “Alleviating stress is what I’m good at.”

“I do hope she wasn’t a burden to you,” my father jests, winking at me.

“She could never be a burden.”

“She’s standing right here,” I interject.

“Is she? Did you hear something?” My father pretends to look around the room, squinting at the corners.

Alex jumps in and plays along, both to my delight and annoyance. “Hmmm I don’t see her anywhere. Did you hear something?”

“Boys,” I groan. “Come on now.”

“Ah, my impetuous princess,” my father chuckles. He leans over and plants a kiss on my temple. “My greatest treasure in this world.”

Just then, my mother appears at the door. “Dinner’s ready, let’s sit down and eat!”

Dinner goes as smoothly as can be expected. Alex has the charm level dialed up to 100, and my parents are obviously smitten. They ask a few questions about work, and he’s very careful to answer in a way that isn’t a complete lie but definitely bends the truth. They seem more focused on his upbringing though, and on those counts, he is honest.

He tells them about growing up in the system, and how his worldview was shaped by what he experienced. When Mom marveled that he was able to work in a hospital after everything he had been through, he simply chalked it up to a driven work ethic, life experience, and a determination to stand on his own two feet.

I held my breath when she pointed out the cost of medical school, alluding to the fact that he must have had significant scholarships or financial aid to pull it off, or be severely in debt to student loans.

I was able to breathe again when his response was simply, “Thankfully, I’m not in debt, and student loans were never anything I had to worry about.”

This was all true: he never went to college, so there was no cost associated with that. But my mother took it as a sign of his brilliance at being able to cover the entirety of his medical schooling with scholarships. I wasn’t about to correct her assumption.

“I’m so glad Mina has a friend like you,” she gushes. “Perhaps she will take your determination to heart and apply it to her own life to ensure a successful future.”

“I hope so,” Alex agrees. “But about that, I have something to say.”

I brace myself. Is this carefully crafted evening about to come undone at the seams? I silently will him topleasenot fuck this up. What he says next takes my breath away.

“You call me your daughter’s friend, and that is true. She’s incredible. I’d like to formally announce my intention to see your daughter in a capacity that is more than friendship. Mina makes my life immeasurably brighter, and I’d like to think I can do the same for her.”

Papa looks surprised, and Mother looks like the cat who finally caught a pesky mouse.

Alex continues, “I’d like to date your daughter, though I don’t think date is the right word. That implies casual and passing. I would like to court her, with the intention of making her part of my life forever. I love her.”

“Oh, my,” my mom breathes, clutching her hands to her chest. “Well, of course we approve. You have been so good to her; I can’t imagine anyone better suited.”

I can feel my mouth hanging open at his bold declaration of love for me, to my parents, right here at this table, the same night he’s met them.

“I think this could be a fine match!” It seems father has finally found his voice. “That is, if Mina agrees.”

All eyes are on me now. I look around the table, at last looking into Al’s eyes. They are burning with desire, and I want to jump in and swim in them forever.

“Yes,” I manage to whisper. “Yes, of course.”

CHAPTER 26: ALEX

I feel like I’m holding my breath, waiting for her answer. I just bared my soul and confessed my love for her to her family, and now I’m waiting for her. We had spoken of our love in secret, in the privacy of my home, but here in front of her parents is a different matter. When I told her I loved her, I was serious. Did she feel the same?”

“Yes, yes of course,” she whispers.

I can breathe again, and it feels like after decades of darkness, I’m able to step into the light at last. Her light.

“Wonderful!” her mother exclaims. “Simply wonderful!”

---