Page 93 of Resisting the Temptation
“I don’t know if Ben will be comfortable with that.”I don’t know ifIwill be comfortable with it.
Mom gives me a disappointed sigh then tsks. “Emma, your father and I want to meet the first man you’ve brought home since you moved to California. We want to be introduced to him before family dinner on Friday—which we expect you and yourfriendto attend. It’s only fair we meet a stranger before he’s invited into our home.”
I flinch at her calling Utah “home.” It hasn’t been home in a long time.
“Fine. What time?”
“Four-thirty. Just remember this isn’t California. You can’t dress like you would there.”
“Got it. See you then. Bye, Mom.” I hang up before she can say anything else.
Theonetime my parents came to visit me in California was a surprise visit. It was nine in the morning on a Saturday, and I was wearing a crop top and pajama shorts when they rang the doorbell. My mom was so mad about what I was wearing when I answered the door, she ranted about it for ten minutes.
Now, every time I’m in Utah, she reminds me I can’t wear a crop top because I will make people “uncomfortable.”
It’sOctober,though. It’s not like I’m going to be sporting booty shorts and a tube top when the weather is chilly.
“I take it we have a change of plans for today?” Ben asks from his bed.
“Yeah. Apparently, I have to go practice the musical number for the funeral with my cousins at two, then we’re going to dinner with my parents. We’re having a family dinner at my parents’ on Friday after the funeral, too.”
“Sounds good to me. I could do with a homemade meal instead of takeout.”
I can’t help the snort that escapes me. My mom’s a good cook by Mormon white lady standards, but compared to Camila’s food, she doesn’t hold a candle.
Ben’s brows furrow. “Why are you laughing?”
“I can’twaitto see how you feel about my mom’s cooking. Remember what I said about pepper being spicy in my house growing up?”
Ben groans. “I forgot about that. I guess I understand whyMamà’scooking made you moan the way you did.”
“Oh, Benjamin. You are in for atreat.”
Luckily for us, the drive from Cottonwood Heights to my grandparents’ church building in Bluffdale isn’t too long.
When I park, I only see two other cars in the parking lot. As Ben and I get out, Talmage’s sisters, Lauren and Lacey, get out of their own car, and Lacey rushes to me with a bright expression on her face.
“Emma! Hi! How are you? You look so pretty.” She looks so similar to Talmage with her dirty blonde hair and big blue eyes.
“Hey, Lacey. Thank you, so do you.” To my surprise, she wraps me in a hug, and I let out a surprisedoof.
“Lacey,” Lauren hisses at her sister. “You didn’t even ask.”
Lacey steps back and looks at me sheepishly. “Sorry, Emma.”
I give her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. This is my… boyfriend, Ben.” I motion to him, and he holds out his hand. “Ben, these are two of my cousins, Lacey and Lauren.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Ben says with a strained smile. I hope he’s okay because he has a long week ahead of him; he hasa lotof people to meet.
Lacey’s cheeks flush red as she delicately shakes his hand, tucking her hair behind her ear.
Yeah, girl, I get it. He’s super hot.
Lauren gives him one firm shake and spins around to walk into the building.
We all follow suit.
I haven’t been inside a church building since the summer after I graduated high school, and my skin prickles with anxiety the closer I get.
