Page 76 of Dreams and Reptiles

I looked down at my outfit—I’d gone with my tan chinos and a light blue short-sleeved button down that matched Kendall’s eyes—and did a whole-body shake.

He loves you. It’ll be fine.

I opened the door to my swoony boyfriend.

“Hey, baby.”

Kendall was dressed in black slacks and a brown and tan collared shirt, open enough to see a white tank underneath. He looked like he’d stepped out of a nineties ska/swing band video, like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones or something. He smelled of cologne, which was a first, and he had two bouquets of lavender roses in his hand.

“Hey, baby, yourself. What’s this?”

He sighed and fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.

“I realized while Shay and I were talking about going out tonight that this is the first time I’ve taken you out… hence, our first real date.”

“The dance social was our first date,” I reminded him, a smile curling the corners of my lips.

“Except, that was at your house. This is our first public date, so Shay scolded me for wearing jeans, sent me back to my closet for nice clothes, sprayed some cologne on me that she found in Grandma’s bathroom, which means it probably was something my grandfather wore back in the day. I apologize if it’s dated⁠—”

“Kendall—”

“The roses I’d already picked up. These are for you. And these are for your mom and aunt. I thought we could stop on our way out.”

“We could, but they’re staying out at Colusa tonight. Another Pai Gow tournament.”

He grinned. “Right. Well, do you have a vase? I’m sorry, I didn’t think…”

I took the flowers and pulled him in by his shirt for a kiss.

He grinned—then wiped his hands on his pants.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes?”

“Why? And why did you leave her in the car?” I took his hand and pulled him into the house with me so I could tend to the flowers. I found a couple of ice buckets in the kitchen and filled them up halfway with water, arranging one bouquet in each.

“She wants to drive.”

“That’s why you’re nervous?”

“No, that’s why she’s still in the truck. I’m nervous because I want everything to be perfect.”

I turned and grabbed his face, forcing him to look at me and quit squirming.

“It won’t be, you know that. What is perfect is the fact that she’s so important to you, and that I’m important enough to you that you want me to meet her.”

“Of course I do, Francis.” He put his hands over mine. “Baby, why wouldn’t⁠—”

“Not to be Francis Downer, but let’s remember my relationship with my father. Okay? That’s why. Now, let’s go before your nervousness becomes contagious. We can’t both of us be freaking out.” I grabbed his hand once more and pulled him toward the door at a trot.

“I mean, we can,” he muttered. “You look gorgeous, by the way. I love that color on you.”

We stopped at the truck, and he opened the passenger side for me.

“Thanks, it reminds me of your eyes.”

I climbed up in the truck, and he stood there gaping.