Page 96 of Resisting the Temptation
No, I guess not.
“Anyway,” Emma continues, “are you ready to meet the parents?”
As ready as I’ll ever be.
Emma’s parents are… not great.
They didn’t even try to hug her when we got to the restaurant.
I mean, I figured things were tense between them after everything she’d told me before, butJesus.They’re bad.
Her mom, Jane, looked like she would rather lick the dirty floor than shake my hand when we were introduced, and her dad, Dirk, tried to make a joke the minute he met me.
“About time my daughter brought home a man. She needs someone to tame her wild ways.”
I didn’t laugh, and neither did Emma. Instead, her shoulders slumped, and she shrunk in on herself.
I could tell it made him feel awkward when I didn’t play along, but I don’t give a fuck.
As we’re seated, I study the two people in front of me. Emma doesn’t look much like her parents.
Dirk’s hair is completely white, and his bushy eyebrows are almost the same color. His eyes are a pale green hidden behind bifocal glasses. Sunspots litter his skin like he’s prone to being outside in the summers, and there’s a tuft of white chest hair sticking out of his flannel shirt. When we were walking to the table, I noticed he walks slightly hunched over, and I make a mental note to ask Emma how old her dad is.
Jane looks much younger than her husband. Her short bob is dyed blonde, but it looks like at one point it may have been a similar color to Emma’s. Hereyes are a darker blue than Emma’s, and they don’t hold the same warmth as myDulzura’s.
To my dismay, there are no alcoholic beverages on the menu. I think Emma and I could both use a little to get through what’s undoubtedly going to be an awkward dinner. Instead, I order a Coke, and Emma orders a strawberry lemonade.
Dirk asks Emma how she’s liking her job, she tells him she’s loving it, but then he doesn’t ask any follow up questions.
Instead, he goes on and on about the latest updates to the new private school they’re building. I can tell Emma doesn’t really care, but since she’s in the world of construction, she asks insightful questions and keeps him talking. He speaks to her like she’s an unintelligent child and not a knowledgeable woman, and I hate it, but I keep my mouth shut.
“So,” Jane starts after we order, “how did you two meet?”
Emma and I share a look, and I motion for her to tell the story.
“Ben’s dad is the owner of Rossi Construction. He’s a PM there as well.”
Jane sighs and shakes her head. “Oh, Emma.”
“Is that how you got the job?” her dad asks, narrowing his eyes at me. “Did you give her the job so you could get with her?”
“No, sir. My father offered her the job after her old boss, one of my friends, put in a good word for her. I had nothing to do with the process.”
Jane ignores my comment. “What happens when you two break up? Your boss isn’t going to fire his own son. You’re ruining your career before it’s even started.”
“All due respect, Mrs. Price, but I’d rather lose my own job than ever put Emma’s career in jeopardy. If for some reason our relationship doesn’t work out, I would step down.”
“You would?” Emma whispers from next to me.
“Of course I would.”
“Well, as sweet as the sentiment is, you can’t work together and be in a relationship. What does your father think about this?” Jane accuses.
Just as I’m about to explain, the waitress comes back with our food and sets our respective dishes in front of us.
“I hope you don’t plan on eating all of that, Emma.” Jane points her fork at Emma’s burger and fries.
Emma shrinks in on herself again, but she doesn’t respond.
