Page 27 of Only You

Eight

The moment had finally arrived. Jack’s parents landed in Detroit, rented a car, and were driving to his condo to meet his girlfriend. Jack was in the living room, pretending to play it cool, while Kayla was primping in his bathroom. He kept checking the time, wondering when she’d be done. He’d spent the last two days preparing her for this moment and feeding her useful tidbits about his parents. Jack hoped it was enough, and his parents would be convinced that he and Kayla were a real couple.

Finally, his bedroom door opened, and Kayla entered the living room. “Ta-da!”

Jack’s mouth gaped open as he took her in. Kayla was always attractive, but tonight, she was stunning.

“Well? What do you think?” she prompted him.

He snapped his jaw shut. “I think—”

“If it’s too much, I can change. I still have time before they get here, right?” She rambled when she was nervous. “I don’t usually wear dresses, but I thought the occasion called for it. Unless it seems like I’m trying too hard, in which case—”

“Kayla, stop. You look beautiful.”

Her shoulders relaxed, and she smiled at him with all her teeth. “Thank you.”

Jack might have continued admiring her, but they had work to do. “So, let’s go over it one more time.”

Kayla took a deep breath. “Your mom is Eileen, and your dad is Fred.”

He chuckled. “Very funny.”

“Your dad is John. I know this, Jack.”

“What were their jobs?”

“John was an engineer at General Motors until he retired. Eileen was a stay-at-home mom, with you, her only child. When you were in high school, she worked part time at a Hallmark store.”

“Very good.”

“See. I got this.”

“What else?” he prompted her.

“A few years ago, they retired to Marco Island. They live on a canal, where John goes fishing. Eileen likes reading, cross-stitch, and taking daily walks on the beach. How am I doing?”

“I’m impressed,” Jack said.

Kayla puffed out her chest, which drew Jack’s gaze there. The dress had buttons all the way down the front and was belted at the waist. She’d left the top two buttons undone and showed the merest hint of cleavage, but it was still enough to whet his appetite. Jack wondered how long it would take to undo all those buttons, one at a time.

“Is there anything else we should cover?” Kayla asked, breaking into his fantasy.

“Let’s go over the rules for showing affection.”

Kayla inhaled deeply, drawing his attention to her chest again. “We should touch occasionally, like a real couple would, but no kissing,” Kayla recited.

This was one of Jack’s hard and fast rules. It was mostly out of respect for his parents, but also for his benefit. Pretending to be a couple was one thing, but kissing was a big jump. If they went there, he was afraid he’d never be able to turn back from it.

“Not even a peck on the cheek?” Kayla asked.

“It’s not necessary,” Jack said.

“Maybe not, but it would be a nice touch, don’t you think?”

Jack sighed. “Not tonight.”

“Do you have a headache, dear?” she teased.