“He needs to know so that we can do something about it.” That was the bottom line. He had to know so he didn’t get blindsided. Because that would definitely push him over the edge.
I nodded reluctantly. “Okay, let’s do it as soon as we can. But gently. If that’s possible. I might need you to do it so I don’t freak the hell out.”
“I will do whatever you need me to do.”
“You’re perfect.”
“I know.”
I tensed up for a different reason when we got to my house. With all the worry about telling Dad, I had forgotten about the fact that I was apprehensive about Lucah seeing my house. I’d only given him sketchy details about it.
It seemed like a silly thing, but I had seen money come between couples too many times to believe that it didn’t matter.
“This is it,” I said pointing. Why was my house so fucking big? Had it always been that big? Or was I just now noticing its bigness?
“Wow,” he said, turning the car off and peering up through the windshield.
“Yeah. I never really think about it, I guess. It’s just home to me.” He got out and then opened my door. Unlike yesterday, he’d dressed formally in one of his work suits, and I was wearing one of the dresses that Sloane had made me. It was red, of course.
Lucah stood in front of the door, as if he expected me to knock. I gave him a look and started laughing.
“We can go in. It’s my house.” I opened the door.
“We’re here,” I called out. Mom came dashing around the corner with the biggest smile on her face. It wasn’t fake, either. No one could rock a fake smile like my mother, but this was genuine.
“Lucah, it’s so nice to see you again.” She held her hand out and he shook it.
“Thank you so much Mrs. Clarke.” She didn’t offer to let him call her by her first name, not that he would. She might have been his girlfriend’s mother, but she was also his boss’ wife.
“Rory, can I take your coat?” I took it off and she took Lucah’s jacket as well. His eyes darted around the house and assessed it.
“Would you like the tour?” Mom said, sweeping her arm out.
“Yes, that would be great.” Only the very tips of his ears betrayed how intimidated he was. I took his hand in mine as Mom led us through the downstairs. He especially liked the dorky childhood posed photographs of me that were everywhere.
“Fair is fair,” he whispered in my ear as I tried to hide one of them behind a vase of flowers. “You got to see mine, now I want to see yours.”
“You’ve seen mine. Many times.” I whispered back. Mom was oblivious as she talked about a painting.
“Where’s Dad?”
“Oh, he’s just making a phone call. He’ll be right out.” She rolled her eyes.
“So he’s been bringing his work home with him?” Instead of taking it easy and working less, he was just bringing it home. Lovely. “Which means he didn’t listen at all to either of us.” She shook her head, and pasted on her fake smile in front of Lucah. He might be my boyfriend, but he was a guest and she wanted to make a good impression. Just like I’d wanted to with his family yesterday.
“Ah, there he is.” Dad came out of his study and seemed startled to see us all there.
“Hi, Dad.” I went and gave him a hug, an extra tight one.
“Mr. Clarke. Nice to see you outside of the office, sir.” Lucah shook his hand and Dad smiled.
“Same to you, Mr. Blaine. Or Blythe. Still getting used to the name change.” Lucah smiled and I could feel a moment of awkward silence coming. But as soon as she felt it, Mom escorted us into the dining room and had us sit down. I looked at Lucah.
“Now?” I whispered to him as Dad and Mom brought in the dinner. Tonight it was baked chicken with grilled artichokes and Brussels sprouts, with a lemon sponge cake for dessert.
We all served ourselves and once our plates were full of food, I cleared my throat.
“Dad? Can we talk about something with you?”