Page 14 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“Hi, honey.” She reaches up to hug him and holds him tight, squeezing her eyes shut.

She isn’t what I am expecting. Even though I don’t know what I was expecting. She’s a fancy lady with long pin-straight black hair that’s pulled into a high ponytail. She is wearing a cream-colored dress with black accents. Her nails are perfectly manicured in fire-engine red and the jewelry she’s wearing is so sparkly.

She pulls away from him. “You must be Annie. It’s such a pleasure to meet you,” she says, reaching out her hand to shake mine.

“Nice to meet you too, ma’am,” I say, shaking her hand.

“Please don’t call me ma’am, I’m Nari but you can call me Lily,” she says.

“Okay, Lily, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Hi, Dad,” I hear Cade say. His dad is built big, like him, with light-brown hair and the same hazel eyes, but that’s where the comparison ends. His dad gives off a steely vibe, he’s too serious and cool, where Cade is friendly and warm.

“Hi, Son,” his dad says. He gives Cade a firm handshake.

“Dad, this is Annie,” Cade introduces.

“Hi, sir, nice to meet you,” I say. He seems like the type who wants to be called sir.

“Nice to meet you, Annie.” He nods.

I take a seat beside Cade.

“Honey, how are you holding up?” his mom asks as she reaches across the table to take hold of his hand.

“Lily, stop treating him like a pussy. He’s a grown man. Things went down. He’s clearly over it,” his father cuts in.

What a jerk.

“I’m fine, Mom. Can we not do this now?” he asks, clearly feeling awkward with me sitting beside him.

“Do you have a suntan?” his mom observes.

“Um, yeah, I went to Tampa over the weekend. Hayden is signing a contract with them,” he says.

“Good for him,” his dad adds. “Tampa is a strong team.”

“So what is your major, Annie?” his mom inquires.

“I’m an agricultural science major,” I answer with a smile.

“Wow, that’s something you don’t hear every day.” She giggles. “What made you choose agriculture?” she asks, truly interested. She is a striking woman and very kind.

“My family owns a dairy farm. I plan to work there after I graduate,” I explain.

“That is cool. Cade here used to love animals when he was younger. I’d take him to the farms and he would run around with the animals,” she says.

A waitress comes up to our table. I watch Cade exhale like he is relieved. “What can I get you all to drink?” she asks.

“I’ll have a café au lait,” Mr. Price says.

“Same,” his mother answers, smiling to the waitress.

“I’ll have the same,” Cade adds.

“Well, since I don’t want to be the odd one out, I’ll take one of those too.” I laugh awkwardly.

“Sure thing,” the waitress answers.

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