Andrew ate his apple pie that had arrived while we were talking to Brad. Puddles of ice cream melted on top of the crust. Chewing the side of my cheek, I mulled over how to approach the topic about his Facebook status and decided to dance around it.

“Why is a man who doesn’t text on Facebook?” I asked

Andrew sought the perfect apple slice, moving the unsatisfactory ones to the side of his plate. “My sister said I needed to build a brand for myself. She set up all my social media accounts.”

“When was the last time you logged on?”

Andrew caught on to my true question. “I’ll change my status if it bothers you.”

“Of course it bothers me! Why wouldn’t it?”

“Because social media isn’t a reflection of how I feel. Camilla doesn’t have my heart. You do.”

“I get that, but the next time we run into one of your friends, I don’t want to be mistaken for Camilla.” My eyes widened as a horrifying thought occurred. “Your parents know that you broke up? Right? Because….”

“Of course they do!” Andrew reassured.

“Were they happy or sad about the news?”

Pushing me over, Andrew slid into my side of the booth and swung his arms around my shoulders. I couldn’t think, let alone breathe when he was this close.

Andrew rested his chin on the top of my head. “My parents will you love you.”

“I’m not a traveling yoga teacher with world experience under my belt.”

“No, you are Haven. Smart, sweet, sexy Haven. They would be fools if they didn’t love you.”

Sumiko had contradicted herself back in the hospital. She said she was happy I was opening my heart, but then went on to say you can’t trust anybody. Those two were mutually exclusive. Giving away your vital organ to a random stranger on a street corner would be dumb and illegal.

An inner battle of faith played out the week leading up to meeting Andrew’s parents. He had changed his Facebook status but a gnawing feeling I couldn’t put my finger on wouldn’t go away. In a certain sense it didn’t matter, heartbreak was inevitable. If Andrew and I parted ways, my heart would have to be duct taped and glued back together and even then it wouldn’t be the same. I wouldn’t be the same. Andrew had changed me for the better.

Forgiveness was creeping its way into my past and changing my outlook. My mom wouldn’t win any mother of the year awards but she provided a roof over my head and food on the table. She also taught me how to be a fighter who didn’t take bullshit from anyone. The bad moments overwhelmingly beat out the good; however, I couldn’t focus only on the bad. Some memories brought a smile to my face. Like, the time my mom had once brought home my favorite candy bar just because, or when she allowed me to borrow her makeup. It was the little things that showed she cared. Trust went against my nature, yet I wanted to try my hardest for Andrew’s sake. He deserved nothing less.

“Is the heater on high enough for you?” Andrew adjusted the vents. “I can also turn on the seat warmers.”

On our drive to Ann Arbor, the golden hued trees held my attention captive. In Detroit, you didn’t get this kind of natural beauty.

“I’m actually a little too warm. Do you mind turning it down?”

I shed my light blue cardigan that was borrowed from Monica. She shockingly had a ton of clothes that were ‘meeting the parents’ appropriate. Mine, while classy, showed a tad more skin than deemed appropriate. Monica had lent me three dresses, two blouses, and a pair of heels for the next two days. As I looked out the window, snowflakes drifted from the clouds above and I wished I’d brought along a heavier coat.

Andrew fiddled with the heat some more and I swatted his hand away. “Concentrate on driving. I’ll do this.”

“Sorry, I’m a little nervous.”

While I appreciated his honesty, my own nerves didn’t benefit. I wanted to jump into the snow-dusted grass and sprint toward the city lights of Detroit. Older people, especially wealthy older people intimidated me. They were a rare breed of animal I had only gotten a glimpse at through their insulated bubble. At eighteen, I had a brief gig as a catering waitress until a tray of caviar covered crackers spilled on the Mayor. He wasn’t happy.

“Why are you nervous? You have met your parents before, I haven’t.” I pointed to my chest. “I’m the one who has to scrounge up dinner party topics and act as if their son is the best thing since sliced bread.”

Andrew looked at me from corner of his eye. “You don’t think I’m the best thing since sliced bread?”

“Whole wheat, maybe, but defiantly not potato,” I joked.

“Baby, I’m cinnamon raisin swirl. A challenge with a sweet reward.”

I barked out a laugh. “Ha! You were not a challenge. I could have had you at the snap of my fingers.”

“Really? Is that what you think?” He flicked on the turn single and directed the car to the side of the road. “We will see about that.”

“I’m not having sex with you, Andrew. I don’t want to show up at your mother’s with my clothes wrinkled and smelling like a whore house.”

Andrew unbuckled his seat belt.

“I’m serious,” I warned.

A yelp escaped my lips as he threw my seat into reverse so that I ended up flat on my back. He climbed across the gearshift and loomed over me. Lust blossomed in his gaze, weakening my resolve. Andrew’s fingers grazed my bare inner thigh while we locked eyes.

“Do you want this?” he asked huskily.

I gulped. “No, get off of me. Your parents are waiting for us.”

“They can wait.” He continued his journey to the outer edge of my black lace thong but didn’t stop like I wanted him to. Andrew’s hands grabbed my hips and pulled my crotch against his trousers. “I’ll ask you more one time. Do you want this, Haven?”

My name sounded like honey dripping from his lips. Need coursed through my veins. Fuck yes, I want this.

Gripping his t-shirt, our mouths inches from each other, I whispered. “You know I do.”

Andrew grinned wickedly as he lowered his head and stole my breath with a soul-shattering kiss. The windows fogged up with our desire.

As we broke apart, I whimpered. “More.”

Ignoring my request, he climbed back to the driver’s side with a tent in his pants. “See, I am a challenge. You broke in under a minute.”

Outraged, not to mention hot and bothered, I yanked my seat to an upright position and glared at Andrew. “Are you fucking kidding me? You did that to prove a point?”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

Frustrated, I was beyond speaking intelligently. “Argh!”

“Was that English?”

“Hush.”

Laughing, he pressed the start button and put the car in drive. Thank God I wasn’t a dude or else I would be meeting Andrew’s family for the first time with a hard on.

Stately gates opened to a gravel driveway framed by an immaculate lawn. It wound up the hill where a French chateau stood, looking as if it belonged in one of those snooty TV shows about British monarchs. I couldn’t imagine having this as my vacation house. Why would anyone need this much room for five weeks out of the year? Wealthy people were a weird bunch and I had a feeling things would get weirder over the next two days. Partly because there were hedges carved into various animals staring at me.

I turned to Andrew, straight faced. “There isn’t enough room for me here. I think I’ll get a room at the Motel 6.”

“Ha, ha,” he said. “Before we got out, there are a few things I want to mention.”

“Oh God, you lied didn’t you? Your parents have no idea I exist.”

“Of course they know you exist. Jesus, don’t be a drama queen,” Andrew snapped.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I looked out the window, hurt. “You didn’t have to invite me here.”