Page 93 of Let's Kiss and Tell

“Lucy doesn’t want a guy like me,” I say. “Simple as that.”

18

Lucy

I don’t meet the families of people I date. It’s not something that I want to do, nor is it something I’ve ever earned the privilege of doing.

Today, it’s my sole job to convince people I’ve never met that I’m head over heels. I’m the lovestruck girlfriend who’s just so happy to be meeting my partner’s family. Because meeting your partner’s family is special.

“Today is special,” I say out loud while grabbing my toiletries and packing them into my bag. “You are excited. His family will like you. You got this. You got this, Lucy.”

I finally look at my reflection in the only full-length mirror I have in my apartment. I opted for a modest, yet feminine, floral sundress. It’s short-sleeved and goes mid-calf, so it’s child-birthday appropriate. My hair is in loose curls with the front strands clipped to the back. The person staring back at me is someone I don’t entirely recognize. I may as well be wearing a giant clown mask.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Oakley,” I say as I flash a polite smile in the mirror. “Oliver! I’ve heard so much about you!” I exclaimand then start over, less intense. “Oliver, I’ve heard so much about you. What a lovely home you have.”

I knew this weekend would come. Of course I knew it would come. Marsh has given me multiple chances to back out, and while I was tempted, I ultimately need today to happen as much as he does.

My phone buzzes with a text from Marsh saying he’s here.

“Okay,” I huff and take a final look at myself. “You got this.”

I grab my stuff and head out the door. Marsh’s Bronco is parked in front of my apartment with the window rolled down. He’s wearing a linen button-down shirt with a pair of gold-trimmed Ray-Bans. It hurts how attractive I find him lately, but I’m trying to get used to it.

I don’t care what anyone says, there’s something incredibly intimate about being in someone else’s car. Especially on a long drive. As I get comfortable on the leather seat, I wonder how many other people have sat here before me. How many long drives Marsh and Julia took up to see his family.

“That one’s yours.” Marsh settles in the front seat after putting my bag in the trunk. He nods to an iced drink in the cupholder. “Oat latte.”

“Oh my god.” I pick it up and notice it’s from my favorite shop down the street. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“I was already getting one for myself,” he says, turning on the car. The navigation system automatically turns on, and I see our ETA to Palo Alto is five hours and two minutes. It’s a lengthy drive, but we knew that going into it and decided driving would be better than flying.

“Well, thank you.” I take a sip and am very grateful for the caffeine.

“You’re welcome,” Marsh says and starts driving.

“Are you excited for today?” I ask.

“I am.” He looks over. “What about you?”

“I’m excited to meet Sadie,” I reach down to my feet and reveal a gift bag that I intentionally hid. “I got her something.”

Marsh looks at me and his lips twist. “Luce, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I know,” I say and set the gift bag in the back seat. “But I wanted to! How often do you turn six?”

“That’s really kind of you.”

“It’s something small, don’t worry. Jonah has a cousin that’s five and he said there are these dolls that kids are loving right now, so I picked her up one of those.”

“She’s going to love it.”

I take another sip of my latte, enjoying the creamy espresso taste. “I haven’t been to the Bay Area in years,” I say. “This is going to be so fun. And I get to spend two whole days with my favorite person—”

“I don’t think Dani will be there.” Marsh takes a sip of coffee as I’m reminded of Julia’s best friend.

I look over at him, mouth open at his joke. Marsh is quick, witty, and there’s a confidence that’s just so damn sexy. Feeling my gaze on him, he looks over and then nudges me with his elbow. Since meeting, I’ve thought a lot about Marshall Oakley. I did end up finding him on the dating apps and swiped right. The fact that he hasn’t mentioned it means that he’s, like he said, not actively on them. One night, I spent an embarrassing amount of time dissecting his profile—looking at every picture, rereading every answer. Considering the man doesn’t have social media, it was really all I got.

Marsh is absolutely a catch. Once he’s ready, it would take no time at all for him to find someone who wants to be with him. The thought makes me…sad.