The Boyfriend Experience (The Boyfriend Experience 1)

She laughed, the warm, husky sound wrapping intimately around him. He wanted to lean over and settle his mouth over hers, but knowing what kissing her did to him, he refrained.

“We should go inside,” he said, reluctantly pulling his hand back to his side of the car. “Just in case your parents are already here and waiting for us.”

“Okay.” She unbuckled her seat belt while he did the same.

They got out of the car, and he came around to her side, closed the door, then slipped his hand securely into hers. He heard her startled intake of breath at the affectionate gesture, and while he could have told her he was playing the part of her boyfriend, the truth was, that would have been a lie. He was holding her hand because he wanted to. Because he enjoyed touching her and having that connection between them.

As soon as they entered the diner, he saw an older couple standing in the lobby, and when the woman saw Evie, her face broke into a huge, happy smile.

“Evie!” she squealed in excitement.

Her mother—Eric assumed—launched herself at Evie, hugging her tight, and he stepped back to let them have their moment.

“Oh my God, I’ve been so excited to see you!” the other woman said, rocking her daughter back and forth. “Seven months is way too long!”

Eric did the quick math in his head. December. She must have gone home for Christmas . . . before dating the other Eric.

As soon as her mom released her, Evie’s dad immediately engulfed her in his embrace. “Hey, baby girl,” he said affectionately before letting her go.

“Hi, Mom, Dad. It’s so good to see you both,” Evie said happily, then turned toward Eric to introduce him to her parents. “This is Eric. Eric, this is my mother and father, Lauren and Gene.”

As soon as he stepped forward, her mother didn’t hesitate to give him the same treatment she’d given her daughter. He found himself wrapped in a hug that was genuinely given, which startled the hell out of him. He wasn’t used to random hugs from people he’d just met.

She ended the embrace quickly but looked up at him with a sassy grin. “I’m a hugger, so get used to it.”

Yeah, Lauren was definitely a firecracker, he thought in amusement.

When Eric switched his attention to her dad, Gene thrust out his hand, his eyes dancing with humor. “A handshake will do just fine, son,” he said, probably having seen how awkward he’d been with Lauren’s overzealous hug.

He appreciated the more masculine greeting and shook the other man’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

“Likewise,” Gene replied.

“Bennett, party of four,” the hostess called out.

“Right here,” her mother singsonged, waggling her fingers in the air.

As Evie’s parents followed the hostess ahead of them, Evie gave Eric an impish look. “See what I mean?” she mouthed to him.

He shook his head. “They’re great,” he mouthed back to her.

She rolled her eyes, clearly expecting his opinion to change at some point.

They sat down at a table, with Gene and Lauren sitting across from him and Evie. The hostess handed out their menus, and they were all quiet for a few minutes while everyone perused the dinner options. They all ended up ordering regular cheeseburgers with fries, except for Lauren, who opted for a vegan burger.

Once the waiter delivered their drinks, Evie glanced across the table at her mother and father. “I’ve missed you guys so much,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

“We’ve missed you, too,” her mother said, just as sentimentally.

Then, just as Eric expected, Gene addressed him and the grilling began. “So, Evie tells us that you’re a social worker.”

“Yes, sir,” he said politely, and immediately saw the glint of respect in Gene’s eyes at the formal way he’d addressed the other man.

“Mental health and substance abuse, right?” her father continued, clearly wanting to know more about Eric’s “career.”

During one of their text conversations throughout the week, Evie had told him what kind of social worker her ex was, which had given Eric time to read up on the occupation so he was prepared and he’d know what the hell he was talking about. He couldn’t say he was comfortable lying, but that’s what this performance was all about. “I work for a public agency and help people with a wide variety of mental health and substance abuse problems. I also participate in outreach and preventative programs.”

“That’s a very commendable career,” Lauren chimed in, sounding impressed.

Yes, considering what a douchebag Evie’s ex turned out to be, it was surprising that he’d had such a respectable job that required compassion and empathy—the two things the cheating asshole had lacked when it came to his relationship with Evie.

“And what about your family?” Lauren asked, her eyes filled with curiosity as she took a drink of her iced tea.