Page 54 of Damaged Professor

“Your girlfriend,” says Linda, with a bit of wonder attached to it. “My! I wasn’t expecting you to be bringing a plus one. Marty! Marty, stop talking to your brother and come here. Dylan’s brought his girlfriend for us to meet!”

My father is instantly on us, like a bloodhound that’s just found his prey. He grabs onto Abby’s hand and gives it a vigorous shake. “Anyone that can get my son out of his office is a good catch.” He winks. “It looks like his taste has gotten better over the years, if he’s bringing a pretty lady like you to meet us.”

I groan but Abby laughs at the joke. She shakes my mom’s hand too and then says, “It’s a pleasure to meet the both of you. I’m glad to be here today. I’ve heard a lot about you both.”

“Well,” says Linda, with a sharp cluck of her tongue. “We haven’t heard anything about you. Why don’t you come get a drink with me, and we’ll make sure to change all of that.”

“Not now, Mom.” I tell her. I don’t want Abby to be interrogated by her just yet.

“Dylan, this is my anniversary. It’s my day.” She winks at me. “We’ll be right back.”

Abby glances at me but I wave them off, letting my mother abscond with my date for who knows how long. I’m left standing there with my father, who finally asks. “You must really like her?”

“I love her,” I tell him earnestly. “Or else I wouldn’t have brought her here to meet the two of you.”

Martin thinks on it for a moment and then passes the final judgment, telling me, “Good, it’s about time that you brought someone new home,” and then just like that, he goes back to his conversation with my uncle and leaves me standing there, quietly marveling over the fact that this meeting went off without a hitch.

It looks like my family has already welcomed Abby into their ranks and I don’t think that I’ve ever been so grateful in my life.

I mingle with the crowd and manage to get Abby back by my side before the cake is cut.

“So, what do you think?” I ask.

She smiles, gifting me the most beautiful smile. “I love them.”

“I think they love you too.” I whisper. “I know I do.”

I wrap my hands around her waist and press her back against my chest. Her familiar scent dazzles me.

“Who’s misbehaving now?” she asks, covering my hands with hers.

“Hopefully, both of us.” I press a kiss behind her ear. She lets out a low laugh and tilts her head back.

There is love, and lust, and all the time in the world for us.