Page 31 of One Drink
“Likewise. I’ve set your tickets aside. Follow me and I’ll get you checked in.” Mary Ann was quick on her feet and led us to the side of the table where she’d been standing before we walked in. She sorted through a stack of envelopes until she found the one with my name on it. “Here you go. I believe the rest of your table has already arrived. Just head through these doors, and your table is to the left, next to the dance floor.”
“Thank you so much.” I took the envelope and looped my arm through Jake’s. “Please find me when the artists arrive. I can’t wait to meet them.”
“Will do, but for now, go mingle and enjoy yourselves.” She shooed us through the doors and headed back to the table, reverting to work mode.
We turned toward the door and Jake tightened his hold on my arm. He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “I really like the sound of that, by the way.”
I glanced up at him, and he still wore a big grin. “The sound of what?”
“Being introduced as your boyfriend.” He planted a light kiss just below my ear and I shuddered.
“I like the sound of it, too.” I couldn’t help but smile and feel excited about the evening. I had a great guy on my arm and looked forward to enjoying a nice evening of good food, conversations with friends, and a lot of dancing close to him.
“Stephanie! There you are!” The high-pitch shrill of my mom’s voice rang in my ears, and my excitement level plummeted. “Why didn’t you tell us you and Jake were an item?”
“Hi, Mom. It’s good to see you, too.” She gave me a hug, and then Dad reached around for his hug next. “Dad.”
I felt Jake stiffen next to me, no doubt from the tension in my voice. His smile was gone, and his lips were now pinched into a thin line. I squeezed his arm to let him know I was okay. “Mom, Dad, you remember Jake.”
“Of course, we do.” My dad bellowed and took Jake’s hand for a firm shake. “I’m so glad the organizer was able to sit us at the same table. We just had the pleasure of meeting your parents. Good people.”
Which was code for, Way to go, Stephanie. You landed a winner.
“Where are they? We’d like to say hi.” Jake’s voice was colder than usual, but since my parents didn’t know him like I did, they didn’t pick up on it.
“Getting a drink with that other lovely couple sitting at our table,” Mom answered.
“Jake,” Robbie called from behind us. Jake released his hold on my arm and turned around. A chill ran through me, and I wanted to pull him back. The warmth of his body offered a sense of protection I desperately needed tonight. The two men embraced in a friendly hug. “It’s good to see you again. You too, Stephanie.”
Robbie took my hand and kissed my cheek.
“Hello, Robbie.”
“Let me introduce to you my date, Maya Stone.” Robbie turned to the woman next to him, and his eyes lit up. He slid his arm around Maya’s waist, pulling her close, and kissed her cheek. She wore a soft pink dress with a layer of chiffon that flowed along the floor. The one shouldered style looked elegant on her, especially with the layer of chiffon gathered at the shoulder and falling across her back. Anyone who was looking could see he cared deeply for her, and I couldn’t help but wonder if that was what others saw in Jake’s eyes when he looked at me. The thought of the answer being yes made me all warm and fuzzy inside.
“It’s nice to meet the woman who caught Robbie Pennington’s eye.” Jake took her hand and kissed the top of it. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen him bring a date to one of these events.”
“It’s so nice to meet you both as well.” Maya’s smile was wide, and she settled close next to Robbie. I’d never seen Robbie with a girlfriend either, and from what I recalled, Robbie had never had any interest in settling down. From the way he looked at Maya, it was clear he was head over heels for her, and it was adorable. “Robbie’s told me so much about you.”
A soft ding chimed through the room, signaling that dinner was about to be served, and we all took our seats. It made me nervous that my parents sat next to Jake’s parents and I let out a low sigh. Jake squeezed my hand. “It’s okay. My parents have been prepped.”
His words were only loud enough for me. I should have known he’d prepare them for my parents, but I still didn’t like them sitting together. I placed my hand on his chest and mouthed thank you. I was grateful, but it did little to settle my nerves.
“Stephanie.” Maya’s voice was pleasant and kind, but it carried a commanding tone one would expect from a CEO of a multi-million-dollar company. “Robbie told me you’re the editor-in-chief of a magazine.”
“Yes. I took over Fine Arts Photography three years ago. It’s been quite a ride, and not without its challenges, but I love the creative aspect of the work. How’s your transition to CEO going?”
“Not without its challenges, either.” She laughed before she took a drink of her champagne. “The transition period is hard, but it’s getting there.”
“How long are you ladies planning to continue working?” My dad’s baritone voice cut through the air. “I mean, now that you both have fine, respectable men by your sides, you don’t need to work.”
“Dad!” I gasped. Maya reached for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She looked at me and winked. Robbie nodded beside her with a smile.
She shifted her eyes to my dad, and regarded him for a moment before she smiled. “I will work until I no longer find joy in it anymore. Which I imagine will be when I reach retirement age.”
My dad’s eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to speak, but he stopped himself. Maya delivered her remark in such a kind and calm tone, I’d never suspect she was offended by his question. He held his eyes on Maya and cleared his throat. “But what about creating a home and having children?”
“I have a home—a very nice one, I might add. As for kids, it’s always a possibility.” Maya shrugged like this conversation was trivial and held no bearing whatsoever, and I admired her for it. I, on the other hand, was mortified by my father’s questions.
Jake’s dad piped in with a question to Robbie about his new role in the company, and the conversation shifted. After a few minutes, dinner was served, and all talk of work ceased. I hoped the rest of the evening would be free of career advice from my dad. But his questions to Maya cut deep and made me uneasy. I admired the way she handled it and wished I could learn to shrug off my father as easily as she did.
Whatever excitement I had when we arrived was gone now, and I spent the rest of dinner waiting for dad to say something else that made me uncomfortable.