Page 98 of Twice as Tempting

Frank was the first one to disengage from the hug, and he extended his hand to Damian. “I’m the old man. Frank. How do you do?”

“Damian Kostas. Nice to meet you, sir.”

“Sir? Wow, I haven’t been called that in…geez, I don’t think I’ve ever been called that!” Frank laughed heartily, which broke up the reunion between the women.

“Frank, are you teasing him already? Just ignore him, Damian. I’m Maria, the proud mother. It’s so wonderful to meet you.” She walked right up to Damian and hugged him, and he visibly relaxed given the warm welcome.

They settled around the table, with Damian seated between Frank and Kelly, and Maria on Kelly’s other side.

“So, how was the flight down? Ok?” Frank asked.

Damian shifted in his seat, and Kelly placed a hand on his thigh as reassurance that she wouldn’t share his secret. “It was fine, Dad. Smooth as silk.”

“Kelly tells us that you’re into cars. What is it that you do exactly?” Frank asked, looking genuinely interested.

“Well, sir…I mean, Frank, come January first, I’m going to be the owner of a custom auto shop. I’m taking it over for a buddy of mine who’s retiring.”

“Custom huh? Are we talking sports cars?’

“All kinds, really. From Cadillacs to Corvettes, and everything in between.”

“I’d imagine that’s a pretty big business, especially in the Motor City.”

“True, but it’s big everywhere.”

“A few of my golf buddies are into cars. In fact, one guy, Gary, just had a ’57 Chevy truck restored. She’s a real beauty.”

Kelly watched the interaction between her father and her boyfriend and smiled. The more they talked about cars, the more comfortable Damian became, and by the end of the meal, they had planned an outing to check out Gary’s restored truck.

After that, Maria smoothly switched topics and asked Damian about his family, another topic near and dear to his heart. Even with the teasing comments that he made about Zack, Kelly was certain that her parents could tell how much his family meant to him.

“We’re going to make a trip up to Michigan in the spring,” Maria said. “I’m just dying to get my hands on Emma’s baby, and meet her new husband too, of course.”

“If you come, be prepared to meet the whole family,” Damian teased. “Once my mom gets wind of it, you’re guaranteed to get a dinner invitation.”

Maria smiled warmly. “I would love that.”

The four of them enjoyed the food, the drinks (beer for the men, wine for the women), and the gorgeous ocean views while Maria and Frank kept the conversation flowing. Damian participated sporadically, in his usual fashion, but Kelly could tell that he was at ease, and she was happy with that.

“Well, Frank, I think we should let these two enjoy some of the beautiful Florida sunshine while we go home and start preparing for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving dinner,” Maria said, signaling an end to the luncheon.

“What she really means is that I get to take a nap while she does all the work,” Frank teased.

“She still doesn’t let you into the kitchen, Dad?”

“Nope. Not that I mind. Your mother is an excellent cook, so I just stay out of her way!”

“I wish I would have inherited Mom’s cooking skills,” Kelly lamented.

“Yeah, me too,” Damian said drily.

Frank patted him on the back and said, “There’s always take-out, son.”

Everyone laughed, but Kelly was distracted by the term “son.” It had slipped out of her dad’s mouth so casually that Damian didn’t appear to notice, but she did. Kelly took it as a good sign and decided to ignore their teasing about her lack of culinary skills. They walked her parents out to the hotel lobby, where they said their goodbyes. Once again, Maria hugged Damian and said, “We’re so glad you’re here.”

Frank gave Damian another firm handshake and said, “See you tomorrow,” and off they went.

After they had driven away, Kelly turned to Damian and said, “Last one in the pool is a rotten egg!”