Page 48 of How He Got the Girl
ME
Can’t wait!
“Are you ready?” Mallory puts her car in park.
I glance over at her trembling hands. “I think the real question is, areyouready?”
She sighs. “I have to be.”
“But you aren’t.” That much is obvious. I wish I could reach over and take her shaking fingers in mine to steady her.
“No, but they’d be suspicious if I declined a dinner invite.”
“What has you worried? I thought you were close with your family.”
“That’swhyI’m anxious.” She frowns. “It feels awful lying to them.”
I nod in understanding. “I hate lying to my parents and Granny, too. I can check with Karina to see if we can amend the NDA, if that would make things easier for you.”
Mallory turns sideways in the seat to look at me. “You’d do that?”
“For you?Anything.” I’m not sure if she catches the true meaning behind my words, but it’s there, nonetheless.
She taps her fingers on the center console. “That’s kind of you to offer, but I feel like we’re too far in for me to change our story now. Telling them this is all fake would only confuse them.”
“As long as you’re sure. You can still back out at any time,” I offer, hoping she won’t take me up on it.
Mallory shakes her head. “No, I can do this.” She starts to open her door.
“Hold on, I’ll get that for you.” I hop out of the car and jog over to the driver’s side, opening it for her.
“I can open my own door.”
“Not when I’m around.”
She steps onto the driveway and mumbles, “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” I open the back door and grab the bouquet I bought for her mother. “Let’s do this.”
Before we reach the front door, a middle-aged woman with brown hair and a bright smile walks out of it, clutching her hands to her chest. “You were amazing inAccidentally in Matrimony. I can’t believe a movie star is dating my daughter.”
Mallory gestures to her. “This is my mom, Angela.”
“Please, call me Angie.” She extends her hand, shaking mine before pulling me in for a tight hug. “I’m just so happy Mallory is finally bringing a boy home.”
“Mom, what did we talk about?” A blush covers Mallory’s cheeks.
“Sorry.” Angie swipes under her eyes. “I can’t help it.”
Mallory’s father joins us outside and rubs gentle circles on Angie’s back. “You can tell how excited she is by what she cooks for dinner.” He extends a hand toward me. “I’m Todd.”
I give his hand a firm shake. “Griffin. Nice to meet you.”
“Did you make my favorite meal?” Mallory perks up, looking expectantly at her mom.
Angie’s smile falls. “No. Sorry, sweetie. I’ll make chicken and dumplings next time you come for dinner.”
“She made a meal fit for royalty.” Todd laughs, giving Angie’s shoulder a squeeze.
