“You have nothing to be nervous about. She’s going to love you.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do, actually.” I smile reassuringly.
“Care to enlighten me?” she asks, tilting her head back to look up at me.
“Because I’ve never introduced her to anyone before. She knows that this is important to me, that you are important to me by that fact alone. She also knows because I told her.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“You tell me if you want to do this or not. I won’t force you. I don’t want you to be miserable, but, babe, I promise that’s not how this will go. If anything, my mom is going to come on too strong. She’s excited to meet you, but she promised me she would be on her best behavior.”
“You made her promise?”
“Of course, I did. I just got you. I can’t have her scaring you away.”
“You really want to do this?” she asks softly.
I move my hands to rest against her cheeks. “I really want to do this. With you. I want you to meet my mom.”
“Okay.”
“You’re sure?” I ask, hardly able to believe my luck. It may be a small concession, but it tells me she’s finally seeing the bigger picture. The one where we are together. Not just for a date or a night of fun. For a hell of a lot more than that.
She nods. “Yes. I’m sure. But just know that if this is where this is headed, you’re going to have to meet my dad.”
“You tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. You feel this too, right? It’s not just me who feels this intense, crazy connection between us?”
“I feel it too,” she confesses. “It’s crazy and scary and so fast.”
“It’s me and you, P. That’s what matters. As long as we’re both on the same page, that’s all that matters.”
“What page are you on? You know, just in case.”
“The one with a happily ever after,” I say, pressing my lips to hers briefly. “We need to get going before Mom sends out a search party.”
Her eyes widen at my confession. I watch as a slow smile graces her lips. “Right. Okay. Well, I apologize in advance for making either of us look like fools tonight.”
“Not possible, babe. Just be you.”
With her hand in mine, we make our way down the hall and out of the stadium. I know my mom is going to be waiting just outside the door with security. We talked about where to meet earlier. I’m kicking myself in the ass for not clarifying where to meet Paisley, but my girl waited outside the locker room for me. Coming off a win with the Blaze, I smile, thinking this night just keeps getting better and better.
“So, Paisley,” Mom says, and I give her a look across the table, warning her to be nice, “you work for the Blaze?”
“Yes. I’m one of their athletic trainers.”
“I take it you love the game too?” Mom asks.
“I do. My dad actually played for the Blaze when I was growing up. They’re our home team for sure.”
“Oh, anyone I know?”
“Easton Monroe.”