Page 90 of It's About Time
Dilynne’s eyes grow wide, but I simply lean in and kiss her on the cheek before turning back to my father. Her grip tightens on my hand that’s resting on her thigh, and in that moment, we almost feel like a couple. Being able to brag about her felt effortless too, which makes me think holding up rule number five is going to be way easier than I thought.
My dad scoffs. “And is that your plan for the rest of your life? Entering car shows and traveling? I mean, what about when you two have kids?”
“Uh, I’m not having children,” Dilynne answers, making both of my parents freeze.
“You’re—you’re not having kids? You mean right now?” my mother clarifies.
I grab Dilynne’s hand and squeeze it. “No, Mom. Dilynne doesn’t want kids. Ever.”
Her eyes find mine. “And you’re okay with this? I mean, I thought you wanted a family? That’s what your plan was with Tori.”
The mention of my ex-fiancée only adds to the growing tension in the room. “Well, I’m not with Tori anymore. And truth be told, I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of children.”
An awkward silence descends among the four of us. Luckily, Martha comes into the room and squashes it quickly. “Dinner is ready.”
My mother stands from the couch, Mitsy still in her arms, slipping right back into her bubbly disposition, hiding her turmoil from Dilynne’s revelation. “Oh, wonderful! Let’s eat.”
I wait for my parents to leave the room before standing from the couch and turning to Dilynne. “How are you doing?”
“You weren’t kidding about them, were you?”
“I tried to warn you.”
She nods. “Yeah, you did. I mean, I knew I was going to face some scrutiny, but…”
“Hey, I have your back here, okay?”
Her eyes bounce back and forth between mine. “I know.”
We stand there, tension and heat swirling between us. I can feel Dilynne’s breath grow shallow as her eyes dip down to my lips.
It would be so easy to lean down and take her mouth with mine, but this is neither the time nor the place.
And besides, we didn’t discuss kissing before we arrived, and the last thing I want to do is give her a reason to knee me in the junk and blow our cover.
Although, with the way she’s looking at me right now, I’m not so sure she would mind if I tasted her lips.
Is she starting to feel this pull between us too?
Her stomach rumbles, breaking the moment. I chuckle and then grab her hand. “Looks like you need to eat.”
“Uh, yeah. It might keep me from ripping your father’s head off if I’m fed. I tend to think more rationally on a full stomach.”
As we walk through the hallway, I lower my voice and say, “Remember, my parents have very old-fashioned views of marriage and gender roles. Don’t let it get to you.” I squeeze her hand one more time just before we enter the formal dining room, finding my parents sitting at opposite ends of the table as they always do.
I pull out a chair for Dilynne, waiting for her to take her seat before lowering myself into the chair next to her, the two of us situated along the center of the table, between my parents.
Ben comes out of the kitchen with the first course, and my father lifts his glass to make a toast. “I think it’s time that we acknowledge that our son is getting married…again,” he adds at the end of his sentiment. “I must say that this wasn’t who your mother and I had imagined for you, but—”
“Dilynne is who I choose,” I cut him off, not bothering with niceties because I know exactly where my father was headed with that remark. “If you can’t accept that, then we can leave right now.” My pulse is racing as I realize I might have let him bait me a little too soon this early in the evening.
“Henry,” my mother pleads from her end of the table.
The clench in my father’s jaw is hard to miss, but he acknowledges my mother’s request. “Have you two set a date yet?” he asks, taking me by surprise as he lowers his glass back down to the table.
I turn to Dilynne, not sure how to respond because this isn’t something we had discussed. Luckily, she is quick to think on the spot.
“Well, we just got engaged so we haven’t really had time to think about it, especially with Motorlux coming up. My first priority is getting through that.”
