Ever After

"Over here!" I called out, flailing my arms about. "Guys!"

My parents spotted me amidst the crowd at the airport, and I found myself rushing into their arms.

"I can't believe you're actually here!" I pulled away from them, offering up a bright smile. "Welcome to Cali, what do you think so far?"

"Honey, we're still in the airport," mom said, with a laugh. "But we are just so happy to see you."

Dad pulled me into another tight hug. "We missed you, sweet pea."

"Come on, let's go and grab your luggage. We can talk on the way."

Mom clung tightly to my arm as we navigated through the airport. "This is much different than Wisconsin."

"So tell us what's new," dad said. "Any new hobbies? Making it big here in California?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Just my teaching duties. I'm taking everything one day at a time."

"And things are still going well? You still like the administration and the students?" mom asked, worriedly.

I nodded, a smile crossing my face. "I couldn't ask for anything better."

We came to a stop at the luggage terminal, waiting for the bags to start coming around. My mom released my arm, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Have you had lunch yet?" dad asked.

Here we go.

I cleared my throat, offering him a bright smile. "No, but I made lunch plans or us."

"That sounds so fancy," mom said, nudging her hip against mine. "Did you make some connections?"

I couldn't help but laugh as the luggage terminal roared to life. "Nothing like that, no. There's just someone I want you guys to meet."

I could feel both of their eyes boring into my skull.

"A special someone?" mom asked, her voice rising a bit. "Sara dear, did you finally meet someone?"

My cheeks started burning. "Mom, please."

"How old is this boy?" dad asked. "You've never mentioned a boyfriend to us before."

"I've been trying to get you guys to come out to California for the past year," I reminded them. "I'm not going to introduce you guys to him over the phone."

My mom's eyes began to widen. "The past year? How long have you been dating this boy?"

"How serious is this relationship?" dad added.

Five minutes into the trip and I was already getting a stress headache.

"Let's just get your bags and we can talk more in the car."

We gathered my parents' luggage and then made our way out to the parking garage, where I'd miraculously managed to find a parking space.

"I want to know everything about him," dad said, as I turned on the car. "Everything, Sara."

"Dad, please. I'm not a child anymore."

"But you're still our daughter!" mom piped up. "A year, Sara?"

It'd been longer than that, but I decided to keep that to myself for now. Or for always.

"Just trust me, okay?" I glanced over at my dad and then in the rearview mirror at my mom. "You guys are going to love him. I promise."

Dad grunted at that.

"I made dinner plans for the four of us for Valentine's Day tomorrow, it's going to be really special," I continued. "Just give him a chance."

My dad let out another grunt as my mom sighed.

"A year, Sara. I'm still in shock."

This was going swimmingly.

I pulled into the Black Tulip Bistro. I could see Ethan's car as I stepped out. Valet parking in his black Range Rover. Typical.

"Ms. Kingston, it's been a long time," the hostess said, as I stepped through the door. "Mr. Walker is waiting for you in the private room."

"Thanks, Nancy. We should catch up over coffee sometime."

"I would love that, Ms. Kingston."

"Sara," I corrected, giving her a tight hug before glancing toward my parents.

They were staring at me as though I was a foreign species.

"We're frequent customers," I explained.

"Clearly," mom said, with wide eyes.

I led them through the maze that was the Black Tulip, until we arrived back at the private room.

I paused, turning to face my parents. "I know this is all super new, and I'm springing this on you really fast."

Dad slowly nodded.

"But just trust me on this one, okay? I love him."

Mom lightly placed her hand on my shoulder. "We're not out to get the boy, Sara. We just want to know who our daughter has been secretly dating."

I nodded, taking in a deep breath as I turned back around and pushed open the doors.

"I don't care what the fuck Robert said. Who the fuck do you work for, Oliver? Can you answer that simple fucking question?"

Ethan was standing with his back toward the door, his phone to his ear as he stared out the window.

All I could do was stare at my parents' stricken faces.

"Do your fucking job and don't bother me with this petty bullshit. The next time you call me, it better be because you have something to report to me. Otherwise, stick it up Rob's ass."

Ethan dropped his phone on the table, whirling around to face us.

"Hello, honey," I said, with a tight smile.

He cleared his throat, glancing between my parents and then slowly back at me. "You guys have been standing there for...?"

"Too long."

He tugged on his blazer, offering my parents a nervous smile. "I'm, uh, I'm sorry you had to, um, hear that. That's not me, just my work personality. I can explain everything, I-"

"Why don't you guys sit down?" I suggested to my parents, cutting off Ethan's never-ending nervous spiel.

My parents hesitantly sat down, exchanging a knowing look.

They'd already made up their minds about Ethan, my biggest worry.

I leaned in to kiss Ethan on the cheek.

"I thought we agreed you weren't going to speak to your employees like that anymore," I said, quietly.

"There's a lot going on at the office right now, Sara. My dad has his hand up my employees' asses."

The two of us sat down, and I offered my parents another smile.

The tension in the room was stifling.

Ethan shrugged out of his blazer, resting it on the chair behind him. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Kingston. It's a pleasure to meet you, honestly. I'm sorry, once again, that we had to meet like that."

I offered my parents a pleading smile.

My dad reached across the table, shaking Ethan's hand. "I hope you don't use that kind of language with my daughter."

Ethan feverishly shook his head. "No, sir. There's just a lot going on at the office and..." He trailed off, clearing his throat. "You walked in on a very heated conversation. I apologize."

My mom offered Ethan her hand as well. "Well, Sara has spoken very highly of you."

He shot me a smile, to which I just kissed his cheek.

"I'm lucky to have her."

The door opened, and the waitress delivered a bottle of white wine.

"I ordered Sara's favorite," Ethan said. "But you guys are free to order whatever. Please."

The waitress poured me a glass, to which I happily took a sip.

Ethan made a face at his sip, disgust clear on his face.

"You don't have to drink it, E," I said, with a small laugh.

"I'm only having a glass, it'll do."

My parents ordered a bottle, requesting a separate check.

I could see Ethan shaking his head at the waitress, to which I knew she'd comply. The Walkers were highly-respected customers here.

"So, Ethan," dad said, leaning back in his seat. "Tell me what it is that you do."

Ethan swirled around his wine glass, clearing his throat. "I'm a branch manager at a very large firm. So it's like a chain of command. My employees report to me and I report to the Big Man himself."

"And you were on the phone with one of your... employees?" mom asked.

He cleared his throat once again. "Um, well he's more of a pain in my ass than anything else."

I kicked Ethan underneath the table.

"But yes, he's the Account Manager at my branch. He handles the budgets and the costs and all of the things that annoy me."

I rolled my eyes to which Ethan just smiled.

"What kind of degree do you need to do something like that?" dad asked.

I took a long sip of my wine.

"Well, probably something in Business or Management or something. I dropped out of MIT two semesters in, so I wouldn't really know."

I finished off my glass.

Dad cast me a confused look before glancing back at Ethan. "You didn't go to college?"

"Well I did. For a year. But MIT wasn't really my style and classrooms aren't really my thing."

I poured myself another glass.

"I'm much better at being my own boss," Ethan continued. As though the hole wasn't deep enough yet. "Making my own hours, working for myself. That kind of thing."

I gave his arm a tight squeeze. "Ethan, honey, why don't we move on from business?" I suggested.

Ethan's cheeks tinted red. "Sorry. I find myself caught up in talking about work too much."

Mom leaned forward. "How did you two meet exactly?"

Ethan glanced toward me. "All you."

I found my hand wrapping around Ethan's. "I had his brother, Cody, in my class. And so one day, Ethan came strolling into my classroom like he owned the place-"

Ethan cut me off with a laugh. "That's an over exaggeration."

"You should've seen the entitlement written on his face," I teased, causing Ethan to blush red again. "He wanted his brother to come with him to help him move into his apartment, and he just expected me to let him leave my classroom."

"That's what brothers are good for," Ethan interjected. "I needed help."

I rolled my eyes. "And so I said no, of course. And he stayed the entire length of the class to pester me."

"I thought you were pretty," Ethan said, with a dazzling smile. "And the attitude on you was only a bonus."

"You're an ass."

He laughed at that.

"I'm not really seeing where this all connects," mom said, glancing between us.

"He brought me lunch every day for an entire week," I said. "And he made himself at home in my classroom during my lunch break, bringing himself food too."

"You wouldn't want to eat alone," Ethan said, still smiling. "I was doing you a favor. Not to mention saving you from that cafeteria food. You're welcome."

I just shook my head at him. "He eventually wormed his way into my heart." I glanced back toward my parents. "He's too persistent for his own good."

"One of my better qualities," Ethan added.

"That's debatable."

The waitress came back in with the bottle of wine for my parents and some homemade garlic knots.

"We haven't even looked at the menu yet," Ethan said, with an apologetic smile. "Can we get just a few more minutes?"

"Of course, Mr. Walker." And with that she left.

"You seem to be pretty well known around here," dad said, gesturing toward the waitress.

"This is right down the street from my office," Ethan said, glancing toward the window. "I often have business lunches here, but I mainly use this place to get away."

Ethan's phone began to vibrate on the table.

He quickly flipped it to Do Not Disturb, tucking it away in his pocket. "Sorry about that. I swear that thing never stops going off. It's a blessing and a curse."

My parents exchanged glances. They seemed to be overwhelmed.

"Ethan, dear, why don't you tell them about Dubai this past summer?" I asked, taking a sip of my wine.

My dad straightened up at that, as I knew he would. It was his dream vacation.

"Yes, tell me, was the Burj Khalifa all it's cracked up to be?" dad questioned. "And you have to tell me about the Jumeirah Mosque. You did go didn't you?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Give him a chance to speak, dad."

My dad threw his hands up in surrender, leaning back in his seat. "So let's hear it then."

~*~

My parents hadn't stopped talking about Ethan since we left the restaurant.

We were now back at my place, and I was trying to engage my parents in conversation about my work, my life out here in California, anything besides Ethan.

But they weren't taking the bait.

And as soon as I'd brought up the topic of having dinner at Ethan's place, my dad's chatter had only gotten louder, as though that would help prove his point.

"You don't even know him yet," I said, cutting off my dad's incessant ranting.

"I know enough."

I rolled my eyes, glancing toward my mother for help.

She nodded, offering me a small smile. "Jeffrey, a dinner at his house won't kill you."

Not exactly positive, but I'll take it.

"You guys were connecting over Dubai over lunch," I reminded him.

My dad let out an annoyed huff. "His visit to Dubai is a much different dynamic than his relationship with my daughter."

He would always be overprotective. "Don't you trust me, daddy?"

"It's not you that I don't trust."

"Well Ethan is my boyfriend, so if you don't trust him then you clearly don't trust me," I said, raising my eyebrows at him. "I wouldn't waste my time on someone I didn't think was worthy of it. Don't you trust that?"

My mom lightly placed her hand on top of my dad's upper arm. "We owe Sara this much. She clearly loves this boy, and we need to respect that."

Thank you.

"I promise you guys will too," I said, a smile spreading across my face. "Just give him a chance."

~*~

My dad surveyed the apartment complex as we parked. The paint was still glowing, the brick still spotless. The fountain in front of the complex was still a sparkling blue, as though it was still brand new.

"This is where your boyfriend lives?" he asked.

I nodded. "Come on, follow me."

My parents followed me into the lobby, where they both had to sign in, the receptionist making a copy of their driver's licenses.

"Am I in prison?" dad asked my mom.

She playfully shoved him, rolling her eyes.

"Just tight security," I assured, as my dad cast me a sidelong glance.

He didn't argue any further.

We stepped inside the elevator, and I pulled Ethan's penthouse key out of my pocket. I turned it in the elevator as the doors closed, and we shot up toward his place.

"What floor does he live on?" mom asked me, glancing between the key and me.

"The top floor," I said, offering her a reassuring smile. "It's key access only."

"Are you dating a member of the Secret Service?" dad asked. "Or the President's Son?"

They had no idea.

The elevator came to a slow halt before the doors opened to reveal Ethan's hallway, leading straight to his door.

I used my key to unlock the door, ushering my parents inside. "Welcome to-"

"Who the hell is that?" dad asked.

I glanced toward the gesture of his hand, my eyes landing on Haley standing in the kitchen. She was Ethan's brother's longtime girlfriend.

Haley stared at us with her jaw slightly agape, as though she was just as surprised to see us.

But what was most disturbing about the entire situation is that Haley was in her undergarments.

"This isn't what it looks like," I blurted out, feeling my cheeks heat up. "It's just a misunderstanding."

"There's a naked girl in your boyfriend's kitchen," my mom stated, as though I couldn't see it for myself.

Haley stared at me for a few more silent second before clearing her throat. "Ethan said nobody would be here until late tonight."

"Cody!" I called out. "Cody Walker!"

"Cody?" mom asked me. "The boy that was in your class?"

The guest bedroom door opened, and Cody came sauntering out in his boxers. "Sara, do you not know how to nurse a hangover? Shut the hell up."

And then his eyes landed on my parents.

"We have company," Haley whispered.

Cody glanced down toward his boxers before looking back at the three of us. "I can see that."

I could feel my stress headache pulsing against my skull. "Get. Out."

"Yeah, on that," Cody said, shoving Haley back toward the bedroom. "We'll just get dressed and-"

"Now," I added.

"And we'll just leave right now."

The bedroom door slammed behind him.

I slowly turned to face my parents, who were both staring at me, waiting for some sort of explanation.

"Well that's Ethan's brother. And his girlfriend. I clearly didn't expect them to be here."

"Is this normal?" mom asked, her hand fluttering around as she spoke. "For your boyfriend's brother and his girlfriend to hang around half-naked?"

Pretty much.

I vigorously shook my head in denial. "This is a rare occurrence. Trust me, they're leaving."

It seems as though the universe wants to shit on Ethan's impression upon my parents.

The bedroom door opened, and a fully-clothed Cody and Haley stepped out.

Cody strolled over to my parents, extending his hand. "Sorry about that ordeal. I'm Cody Walker."

"Walker..." dad muttered, his eyebrows pulling together as he shook Cody's hand. "Where have I heard that name?"

"Ethan?" I suggested, cutting Cody off before he had the time to answer. "I mean, they all have the same last name. You're probably just remembering me talk about him."

Cody stared at me in confusion, and I just ushered both him and Haley out of the door.

"I'll explain everything later," I said, before shutting the door.

I forced a smile upon my face before turning back around to face my parents. "How about a drink?"

"Make that two," dad said, brushing past me toward the kitchen.

Mom just squeezed my shoulder, to which I let out a sigh of defeat.

Within the next few minutes, the penthouse door opened, and Ethan came strolling in.

He ended the phone call he was on as soon as he stepped inside, locking the door behind him. "I thought you guys were going to come over later? For dinner."

I rose up out of my chair, crossing the room to kiss his cheek. "It's nearly 8, E."

He double-checked the time, his cheeks blushing red. "Shit."

I squeezed his arm in support. "Long day?"

"Longer than necessary."

My parents were watching us in silence, my dad's eyebrows pinched together.

"I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Kingston," Ethan said, stepping forward. "This week has been... well hell really at the office. I hope I'm not too late."

My mom shook her head, offering up a small smile. "Of course not, dear. What can we help with you?"

"I've got dinner," Ethan said. "Just sit, relax." He turned to face me. "Did you crack open the new wine?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. We're starting slow."

Ethan reached into his refrigerator, producing defrosted chicken. "I'll only need a couple of minutes."

I had no idea what his plan was. Ethan couldn't cook to save his life. He hadn't had to growing up, and it showed in his adulthood.

"Need some help?" I asked, resting my head on his shoulder.

He flashed me a teasing smile. "You don't have faith in me?"

"When it comes to my dinner? No."

"I've got this," he promised. "Eileen showed me some pointers."

I just kissed his cheek, grabbing the pan for him.

Ethan owned two pans in his entire house. And they've only been used twice, the two times I made dinner for him at his place.

He'd usually stumble into my apartment after work and eat my food.

"Have you told them yet?" Ethan asked, in a hushed voice.

I glanced toward my parents, who were sipping their wine and having a conversation of their own.

"No," I whispered. "And you're not going to until I give the signal."

Ethan just shrugged. "Fine by me."

I left him to his own devices before joining my parents. "Dinner should be ready soon."

"Do you often make dinner for him?" mom asked me. "Because he seems a bit lost, dear."

I just laughed. "E doesn't excel in the kitchen. But we'll see, maybe we'll just end up with pizza."

Dad was glancing around, and he finally looked toward me. "This is a really nice place."

"I know."

"So I ask again, who is your boyfriend exactly?"

Well now is better than never I suppose.

"Ethan Walker," I informed him. "Son of Robert Walker, the-"

"I know who Robert Walker is," dad interrupted. "I'm entirely sure that everyone does."

Mom just gaped at me.

I reached out to grip my dad's arm. "Just promise me you won't judge him or treat him different because of his name."

"I'm going to need a minute to process this."

I nodded, glancing toward Ethan as he sauntered over to the table.

"Does everyone like Chicken Alfredo?" he asked, with an easygoing smile.

My mom nodded.

"I've read about you," dad said, his eyes narrowing at Ethan.

Ethan glanced toward me in question.

"I told them about your family."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he glanced toward my dad. "I can assure you that whatever-"

Dad rose up, and I felt my heart plummet.

"You're the playboy son," dad said. "The one that dropped out of MIT because-"

"You can't believe everything you read online," Ethan interrupted, his voice tight. "I would know."

Dad glanced toward me. "Sara, you're dating this boy?"

"Well actually-" Ethan started, but I was quick to cut him off.

"I love him, daddy."

My dad just slowly shook his head. "It's like I don't even know you anymore."

"Mr. Kingston-" Ethan started.

Dad held up his hand to cut him off. "He has a sex tape."

Ethan's shoulders dropped, and I couldn't help but rub my hand down his back.

"He's different now," I said, quietly. "Just give him a chance."

Mom stood up as well, disappointment written across her face.

"Mom," I said, reaching out toward her. "You said you liked him, remember?"

"That was before I knew that he was the other half of Marilyn Sander's sex tape."

Marilyn Sanders, former model and current actress. And I hated the very being of her soul.

Ethan had a short temper and a sharp tongue, and I reached over to squeeze his shoulder before he could say anything he might regret.

"Well, hell, if we're going to start judging people on their past I guess there's a lot we can say about the two of you," Ethan spat.

My dad's eyebrows raised. "Excuse me, son?"

"Your daughter had to move across the country to escape you judgmental fucks."

My mother's mouth fell open in shock.

"Ethan, please-" I said, but he was too riled up to stop.

"I mean, it's one thing to push your daughter to do her best, but it's another to suffocate her. If my parents locked me in my bedroom-"

"Ethan, enough," I ordered.

He clenched his jaw shut, his eyes boring into my dad's.

My mother placed her hand over her mouth, and my dad wrapped his arm around her shoulders in consolation.

"We'll see you back at the hotel, Sara," dad said, in a stiff voice.

And with that they left, my dad leading my mom out the door.

"Well that could've gone better," I said to Ethan, with a slight smile.

"I fucked this up, Sara." He ran his fingers through his hair in distress. "It's my temper, I swear-"

I cut him off with a kiss. "Really, E, I'm not mad."

"My dad's right. I really am a fuck-up."

I stood on my toes, giving him a proper kiss. "f anything I'm grateful. You said some things tonight that I never had the courage to say myself. I love you, Ethan."

He didn't respond.

"And if I cared about your past, I wouldn't be standing here."

He offered me a small smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I just wanted to make a good impression on your parents."

"Forget about them," I said, with a smile of my own. "Let's finish that Chicken Alfredo. We can binge on Downton Abbey while you tell me about your day."

He was hesitant at first, but after a few moments he let out a small laugh. "How did I get so lucky?"

I shot him a teasing smile. "Probably because I was willing to settle."

He laughed at that. "And about the Chicken Alfredo?"

I nodded in anticipation.

"We're probably going to need to order a pizza."

~*~

I tossed my phone on the counter, letting out a frustrated groan.

First the double date with my parents had fallen through and now this.

I sunk down onto my couch, my head in my hands as I let out a long sigh. I just wanted everything to be perfect, just this once.

There was a knock on my front door, causing me to glance up.

I trudged over to the door, throwing it open without bothering to check the peephole.

I opened it to reveal both of my parents standing there.

"Oh great," I said, taking a step back. "Just what I needed."

"Can we come in?" dad asked, gesturing toward the house.

I just shrugged. "If you want."

They both came inside, and I closed the door behind them.

My mom took a seat on the couch as my dad stood beside her, both of them silent.

I dropped into the armchair. "Did you come to bash my boyfriend again?" I asked. "Or maybe me this time?"

Mom just shook her head as dad sighed.

"We came to talk," dad said.

"Well this day can't get shittier," I said, opening up my arms. "Talk away."

"What's wrong?" mom asked. "What happened, honey?"

I found the words spilling out of my mouth before I could stop them. "Ethan had this huge Valentine's day dinner planned for the four of us, reservations at Cafe De Artistes. But now you guys hate him and he's working late anyways. So it looks like I'm going to be spending Valentine's Day in my pajamas with Nathan Scott and the rest of the One Tree Hill gang."

Mom and dad exchanged glances.

"We came to apologize," dad said. "We know that we were harsh on your boyfriend last night. It was just a shock for us is all."

Mom's gaze flickered to the ground. "And we know that we weren't always perfect parents."

I scoffed at that.

"We want to make it up to you," she said, glancing up at me. "We want to make this right."

"We came to take you and Ethan out to dinner," dad said, with a small smile. "But we can go out, just the three of us. And then maybe do something with Ethan tomorrow before we leave."

I wanted to believe them, but after last night I was still skeptic. "You're honestly willing to give Ethan a chance?"

My mom reached her arms out toward me, beckoning for me to come and sit next to her.

And so I did.

Dad took a seat on the other side of me. "We love you so much, Sara," he said. "We just get caught up sometimes."

"We just want what's best for you," mom added. "And when you mentioned Ethan Walker, I think we were both taken by surprise."

"Telling us that you're dating a Walker, the playboy one nonetheless, was a bit much all at once," dad said, with a tight smile. "But of all people, we should know better than to judge someone on their past mistakes."

Mom reached across me to squeeze his hand.

"He's really a great guy if you give him a chance," I said, with a small smile of my own. "He has his flaws, we all do. But he treats like a Queen, and I couldn't ask for anyone better."

"Why don't we take you to dinner and you can tell us all about him?" mom suggested. "We'd love to hear it."

I stood up, turning to face them. "And you guys would keep an open mind?"

Mom nodded.

"We want to get to know you," dad said. "The new, Californian you."

I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm still the same Sara."

"And yet you're so different," mom said, with a small smile. "But change is good.

"You look alive, Sara," dad added. "Practically glowing. And we want to know everything."

Before I could answer, my front door flung open.

Ethan came inside, letting the door slam shut behind him. His tie was askew, his hair sticking up in all directions.

"What are you-" I started, as he crossed my foyer.

He cut me off by placing his hands on either side of my face and pressing his lips against mine.

I was shocked for a few moments, but I couldn't help but kiss him back, my body melting into his.

He pulled away, holding me at arms' length. "I'm so sorry," he said, his voice deep and gravelly. "Work has been stressing me the fuck out, but I should have never put that before you."

"Ethan-" I started, but he continued to speak.

"I love you, Sara. And I know that I've been crazy stressed and that your parents hate me, but I still love you. And I will do whatever it takes to prove that to you. Even if it means getting my ass kicked by Rob."

"I love you too, E, but-"

He cut me off yet again. "Let me make this up to you, okay? We still have reservations at Cafe Des Artistes. I promise I'll make it right, all of it. I'll talk to your parents, I'll get Marilyn fucking Sanders to call them if it means getting in their good graces."

"I believe you-"

He placed his hands on either side of my face once again. "I can't stand it when you're mad at me, babe. I love you."

"Ethan!"

He raised his eyebrows at me in question.

"We have company."

And then his eyes flickered toward my parents.

He took a couple of steps back from me as he cleared his throat. "Mr. and Mrs. Kingston, I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there, I-"

"Dinner at Cafe Des Artistes sounds lovely," mom said, standing up.

Ethan stared at her in confusion, his eyes flickering toward my dad.

"We'd love to get to know the boy dating our daughter," dad said. "Sincerely this time."

"We'd love for a clean slate between us," mom added. "A do-over if you will."

He glanced toward me, confusion flickering through his eyes. I just gave him a small nod of encouragement.

Ethan cleared his throat, tugging on his tie as he looked back at my parents. "Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Kingston, that really means a lot to me."

He glanced toward me again before looking back at them. "I've never really had strong parental influence..." He trailed off for a few moments. "I would just really like to get to know you guys and for you to get to know me, the real me. Not the one that you read about online."

"We'd like for that too," mom said, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "We love Sara, more than anything."

"As do I."

I looped my arm through Ethan's. "Well we better get going," I said. "Cafe Des Artistes isn't going to hold our reservation much longer."

My dad placed his hand on Ethan's shoulder as we went to leave. "Just one thing before we go."

Ethan paused, raising his eyebrows at my dad in question.

"Is it true that you partied with Rob Gronkowski on his party bus?" dad asked.

"Dad!" I exclaimed.

Ethan just laughed as he threw his arm around my shoulders. "Hypothetically, let's say that I did. What would you like to know?"

"I have plenty of questions," dad said, with a smile of his own.

I nudged Ethan as we walked out of my house. "I hope you have a clear schedule for tonight."

"Why's that?" he asked, a smile playing on his laps.

I knew what he was thinking, and I just shook my head. "Because my dad is a huge New England Patriots fan, and he's not going to let you rest until he knows everything there is to know about Gronk and his idiot brothers."

Ethan just laughed. "Hypothetically, let's say that I met all of his brothers. How would I favor with your dad? Brownie points?"

I just shook my head. "It's going to be a long night."