Page 40 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
Turning my head to face him, I insist, “Yes, I’m sure. I’m just anxious about what she will be like, especially after last night. I promise, this has absolutely nothing to do with you.”
“I’m not going to judge her, or you. That’s not me.”
“I don’t think you are.” Taking a deep breath, I say, “Okay, let’s go.” I climb out of the car and stride up the walkway with Levi right behind me. Not stopping, I push in the front door and step inside.
My gaze travels over the cozy living room with a small tan floral couch, a chocolate brown recliner and the tables now clear of the Kleenex and empty bottles and cans Gabe and I cleaned up last night. I breathe a sigh of relief knowing it didn’t revert to the mess overnight.
“Mom?” I call, hesitant.
“Layla? I’ll be right out,” she replies.
“Okay. I brought someone with me,” I add, hoping she doesn’t walk out in her nightgown or something.
He glances around the room, noticing my senior picture with me dressed in a black dress alongside my brother’s in a black suit. “You were beautiful then too,” he says, grinning. Just below that, is my kindergarten graduation picture, my two front teeth missing from my smile. “That one is too cute.”
I arch my eyebrow, blushing. “Thanks.”
My mom steps into the room dressed in black pants and a simple dark red, long-sleeved top bringing a smile to my face. Exhaling, my shoulders truly relax seeing the mom I know. “Hi, Layla.”
“Hi, Mom.” Happy, I step towards her and give her a hug. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’m so much better. Thank you for helping.” I nod in acknowledgement. “Who’s this handsome young man?” she asks sounding older than her 59 years.
“Oh, sorry. This is my...um, this is Levi.”
Levi grins and steps up to my mom, holding out his hand in greeting. “It’s wonderful meeting you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
She smiles and takes his hand, squeezing instead of shaking it and making me blush. “It’s wonderful to meet you too, Levi. You must be special because Layla doesn’t bring many boys around here.”
“Mom!” I interrupt.
My mom chuckles, attempting to brush it off, while my face is completely on fire with embarrassment. “Oh, don’t be so uptight, Layla. It’s fine. I’m just happy to meet the man.”
Levi’s eyes sparkle, his grin wider. “I’m happy to be here,” Levi reiterates, glancing at me.
“Why don’t you two have a seat, stay for a little while. I made a cheese board if you would like some snacks. I could go get that for you.”
I shake my head. “No, thank you, Mom. We’re okay. We just ate, but we’ll stay and talk for a little while.”
“Okay,” she agrees. My eyes remain on her until she sits down in the recliner. Making my way over to the couch, I sit down, Levi lowering himself down, right next to me. “I just hung up with your brother a few minutes ago. He wants to pick me up and take me to visit a couple of those homes on Monday.”
“Don’t you think that’s a good idea? Some of them are really nice. Gabe sent me the ones he wanted to bring you to check out.”
She presses her lips together. “Hmm.” Looking around, she leans forward as if about to tell us a secret. “Yeah, but I’ll be the youngest one at any of them. I don’t want you and Gabe to have to worry anymore.”
“We just want you to be safe, Mom.”
Nodding, she turns to Levi. “So, you’re the one that went out on a blind date with Layla. I thought you weren’t very nice.”
My face heats and Levi’s head falls back as he bursts out laughing. “Thanks a lot, Mom,” I mutter under my breath.
Levi catches his breath and says, “It’s okay. We know it’s true, but I begged her for forgiveness. A lot of apologizing, a few bouquets of flowers and some dinners, I think I might finally be getting her to forgive me.”
Mom narrows her eyes in warning at Levi. “Make sure you treat her right. No more of your nonsense.”
He laughs again, his eyes bright with amusement. “That’s my plan. She deserves all good things.”
“You got that right,” my mom agrees.
