Page 27 of Simply Irresistible
I looked around, making sure the coast was clear before I nodded. “I appreciate what you said in there, but it’s not worth it. The best way to get by working here is to keep your head down and do your job.”
Joe nodded. “Thanks for the tip. Want to grab some lunch?”
I looked at my watch. “I can’t, I’m meeting my girlfriend.” He looked dejected. It sucked being the new guy, especially in a field dominated by women. Sure,You’re the Manwas a men’s magazine, but there were still more women than men behind the scenes. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“That would be cool.”
Joe helped me straighten the rest of the chairs around the large, oak conference room table. I dumped a few coffee cups in the trash, turned off the light, and said goodbye to Joe. I had a date to get to.
***
Across the table, Melanie picked at her salad. She moved the lettuce, tomatoes, and chicken around her plate, but didn’t take any bites.
The salad should have been my first clue something was wrong. My girl didn’t eat salads. She wasn’t afraid to eat real food. The second or third time we hung out, we went slice for slice on an eighteen inch pepperoni pizza. She had no shame about it either, not that she should have. I thought it was awesome. A woman who actually ate...much better than some of the women I’d dated before, especially for one who worked in the fashion industry. Those women usually ate like birds, trying to fit into the latest designer outfit.
“All right,” I said, finally breaking the silence. Her head popped up, her big hazel eyes focused on me. “What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” I raised my eyebrows and she sighed. She was caught and she knew it. “I’m sorry, I guess I’m a little nervous.”
“Why?” What could she have to be nervous about? We’d only been dating a short time, but we shared pretty much everything with one another. We kept no secrets.
She shifted in her seat, nervously looking around the restaurant. Was she going to break up with me?
“Mel?” My voice actually cracked a little.
She sighed. “My parents are having a party this weekend. I was wondering if you’d like to come.” She practically mumbled the last sentence, so I leaned forward and asked her to repeat herself. “I was wondering if you’d like to come.”
I took a relieved breath. “Why would you be nervous to ask me that?” She shrugged, looking back at her salad. “Babe,” I said, reaching across the table and lifting her chin until her eyes met mine. “You have nothing to be nervous about. You’ve already met my family.”
“Yeah, but your family is normal. Mine is not.” I raised an eyebrow. My family wasfarfrom normal. She rolled her eyes. “I’m not talking about the structure of my family tree, Tyler. I’m talking about behavior. Have you ever seenMy Big Fat Greek Wedding?”
“Yeah, that’s the one with the guy fromSex and the Cityin it.” Now it was her turn to raise a brow. “I have an older sister,” I sighed.
“Uh huh. Somehow I think your knowledge ofSex and the Cityhas more to do with your nineties obsession than your sister.”
“It started in 1998, most of it was in the 2000s. That doesn’t exactly qualify-”
“The fact that you know the year it began is alarming,” she deadpanned.
“We’re getting off track,” I said, knowing I’d pretty much screwed myself with that one. Yeah, I watched the show. Sexy single women living it up in New York City, what wasn’t there to like?Sue me.
“The party is probably going to be massive...aunts, uncles, and cousins.”
“I’m not afraid of your family, Spice.”
“I’ve never brought anyone home before.”
Ah, and there we had it. “What are you more afraid of? My impression of them, or their impression of me?”
She covered her face with both hands. “I don’t even know. I love my family and I lo-,” she looked away.What was she about to say?“I really like you. I’m not embarrassed about either of you, but my family may do something embarrassing.”
I reached across the table and took her hand. “I’m pretty sure that’s what families are meant to do. Don’t worry about it, babe. I’m sure it will be fine.”
Suddenly, her eyes went wide, and she pulled her hand back. “I am such an ass.”
“Huh?”
“Here I am complaining about my family…”
