Page 74 of Protect My Heart
My mom pats his hand. ‘Quiet down. She said she’ll explain when he gets here.’
‘How was your flight?’ I ask, knowing that topic can fill at least 20 minutes. My parents can take something as simple as an airline trip and talk about it forever.
They’re just finishing up telling me about the lady who was seated next to them when Jason arrives. He’s all cleaned up and looks extremely handsome in a pair of dark jeans and a light blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. And he wore a nice pair of brown leather shoes.
‘You made it,’ I say, smiling at him.
He smiles back, then smiles at my parents. ‘Hi, I’m Jason Kanfield.’
He used his last name. That’s good. My parents like it when people introduce themselves with their full name.
‘Walter Daniels,’ my dad says, rising up to shake Jason’s hand.
‘And I’m Harriott,’ my mom says, shaking Jason’s hand. ‘Mia’s mother.’
‘It’s nice to meet you.’ Jason sits down beside me, giving me a look like he’s not sure what to do next.
‘I was waiting until you got here to tell my parents about you,’ I say.
My mom’s brows rise. ‘And what is it you’d like us to know?’
I smile at Jason, then look back at my parents. ‘Jason and I are dating. We have been since last fall. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to get your hopes up.’ I laugh a little. ‘You two always think I’ll end up marrying whoever I date so I thought it’d be better if I waited until Jason and I became more serious.’
He puts his arm around me and I scoot closer to him.
‘So you two are serious?’ my mom asks.
‘We are,’ Jason says.
‘I don’t understand,’ my dad says. ‘How does this work with you living here and her living in Madison?’
‘We’ve made it work,’ I say, gazing lovingly at Jason. ‘When you really love someone you find a way.’
‘Walter, did you hear that?’ my mom says. ‘Our daughter’s in love!’
My mom’s beaming, she’s so excited. As for my dad? His brows are furrowed and he’s eyeing Jason like he’s going to have to prove he’s good enough for me. I knew my dad would react that way. He’s very protective of me. But I’m confident Jason can win him over. He won me over the first night I met him.
‘Mom. Dad. I know you might think this is soon,’ I say, ‘but like you always told me, when you know, you know. And Jason and I know we’re right for each other.’
My mom gasps. ‘Mia, are you .?.?.’ She waits for me to say it.
Jason beats me to it. ‘Mia and I are engaged.’
Chapter 16
Mia
‘Oh my goodness.’ My mom claps her hands. ‘This is wonderful!’
‘What are you so excited about?’ my dad says. ‘We don’t even know the kid. For all we know, he’s some deadbeat.’
‘I can assure you,’ Jason says with a smile. ‘I’m not a deadbeat. I’m a high school science teacher and baseball coach.’
‘See Dad?’ I say. ‘That’s something you and Jason have in common. You love baseball!’
He grumbles something under his breath.
‘When’s the wedding?’ my mom asks, her eyes bouncing between Jason and me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this excited. I’m hoping her excitement about the engagement will overtake any disappointment she’ll feel when she finds out I’m pregnant.
