Chapter 32

THIRTY-TWO

Claudia

When people say that time flies when you’re having fun, it’s usually the kind of thing you don’t think about too much. Vacations certainly go by faster than a long week at work or school, but it feels like I blinked and my time with Anders is rapidly coming to an end.

We spent half the day in bed and then got dressed and went for a ride. I showed him where I grew up, my schools and a few other meaningful places, before pulling up to my parents’ house. I turn off the car but neither of us move. It’s six o’clock on a Saturday night, so the neighborhood is busy with people getting home from wherever they were, cars parked in driveways and on the street, and lights coming on as they gear up for the evening.

“This is nice,” he said, gazing up and down the quiet suburban street. “A nice place to grow up.”

“Is your childhood home at all similar?” I asked curiously.

“Actually, it is. I mean, the house is probably a bit smaller, and the scenery a little different, but it’s similar in that it’s a quiet street with families and kids and houses. We weren’t rich, but we weren’t poor either. I always had everything I needed.”

“Same. I had a good life growing up here.”

“So did I. It’s what I want for my future family, whatever that looks like.”

“Do you want kids?” I ask. It’s a subject I’ve always tiptoed around because of his ex, but it feels like this is the right time to ask.

“Someday. I feel like there’s so much I still want to do before I’m tied down to that. I see what my sister goes through, how hard it is for her and her husband to spend quality time together or go on holidays and such. I definitely want kids, but I also want a few more years without them, to travel and explore the world, experience things as an adult. I mean, you can do most things with kids, but it’s different. They become your priority, you know? And I want to be selfish a bit longer. What about you?”

“I’m only twenty-four,” I say. “And just starting an exciting new career. Kids are nowhere on my radar. I haven’t done much traveling, so for me, I don’t think I want kids for another five years or so.”

He grins. “It’s like you’re my other half.”

“Let’s plan our first vacation,” I blurt out. “This is the first time I’ll have money of my own. I have to start saving for a car, but I have very few expenses, so I can save for a vacation at the same time. I assume we’ll wait until your off-season, which means summer. What do you think?” I can’t stop the excitement bubbling up inside of me.

“We can plan a European trip for summer. I’d like you to meet my family as well, but we can tack on somewhere else in Europe you want to go that isn’t Sweden, either at the beginning or the end.”

I throw my arms around his neck. “That sounds awesome .”

“What’s your number one? Paris? London? Rome?”

“Have you been to any of those?” I ask quietly.

He grimaces. “All three, actually.”

“I want to go somewhere you’ve never been then. So it’s a first time for both of us.”

“That’s going to limit us,” he says slowly. “I grew up in Europe, so we visited quite a few places.”

“That’s okay. Where haven’t you been?”

He’s thoughtful for a moment. “How about Hungary? Budapest is supposed to be amazing.”

“I’ve always wanted to go to the Central market,” I say. “I’ve read about the spices there.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Let me do some research. We have time to figure it out.”

“Just let me know.” He leans over and softly kisses me. “We should go inside, yes?”

“I suppose. I’m just enjoying a little more time having you all to myself.”

“We still have all night,” he whispers, his lips close to mine.

“You have to rest tonight. Not like last night.”

We both chuckle since we hadn’t done much sleeping the night before.

“I will. Don’t worry about me.”

There’s a poignant silence between us, as if we’re both painfully aware of how little time we have left together, and I’m suddenly resentful of my mother for imposing this on us. I wanted them to meet him, but not at the expense of our time together.

“It’s okay,” he says quietly. “I’ll be back for Thanksgiving.”

“That’s five or six weeks away,” I say with a sigh.

“Yeah, but time will fly. You’re blowing through your training class and pretty soon you’ll be done with your probation and can work from wherever I am.”

That’s a cheery thought.

“Yes. We need to figure out Christmas too, because flights are getting more and more expensive. I think I could fly out on Christmas Day, in the evening. We usually celebrate on Christmas Eve. We have family over and open presents at midnight. We have brunch in the morning and then it’s usually pretty lazy the rest of the day. So I could fly to Lauderdale and stay with you until you have to travel or whatever.”

“Let’s figure out the exact dates so I can buy the ticket for you.”

“You don’t have to—” I start to say.

He holds up a hand. “Don’t do that. You’re just getting started in your career—I’m quite a few million dollars into mine. I can buy my girlfriend a plane ticket for the holidays. Please don’t be stubborn about things like this.”

I want to protest, but at the same time, I don’t.

I like that he wants to spoil me.

I like the feeling that we’re already in a serious relationship and making plans for the future.

“Okay,” I say. “I’ll be gracious about things like this. Just know that I kind of like the idea of paying my own way. At least, sometimes.”

“And I’ll let you. But you’ve barely gotten a month of wages. Take your time and settle into your spending, budget, etc. I know you’re smart and have a good head on your shoulders, but it probably feels like a lot of money, and you should spend it on things you want.”

“I want to spend time with you.”

“And we will. But let me take on stuff like this so you can buy your own car. Deal?”

“Oh. Yes.” I smile. “Deal.”

He nods. “Good. Now, let’s get inside. The sooner we get the dinner-with-parents portion of the evening over with, the sooner I can take you back to bed.”

“I like the sound of that.”

We get out of the SUV and head inside.

“Hello!” I call out. “Anybody home?”

“Hi!” Mom comes out of the kitchen holding a towel. “Welcome!”

“Hello, Laura.” He hands her the bottle of wine he’d picked up earlier. “Claudia said we were having pot roast, so I thought red wine would go with the meal.”

“Thank you!” She accepts the bottle of wine with one hand and hugs him with her free arm. “That was very thoughtful.”

“No problem at all.”

We walk into the kitchen where Dad is getting a beer out of the fridge and proffers him one. “You a beer drinker, Anders? I have Labatt’s and Sam Adams.”

“I’ll take a Labatt’s,” Anders said, taking it from him. “Nothing like a good Canadian beer.”

“I’m a big fan,” Dad replies. “But Sam isn’t bad. And you know, American-made, so I try to have a little loyalty to US brands.”

“Fair enough.” Anders salutes him with his beer.

“Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes,” Mom says, “but I made some appetizers. Why don’t you boys go on out to the living room while Claudia and I get them ready?”

I start to protest but Mom gives me a look, the same one she’s been giving me since I was a kid, and even though I’m not afraid of her anymore, I don’t want to embarrass her either.

Good grief.

I know what’s about to happen and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

My dad is going to have some kind of “talk” with Anders, and I’m not sure if I want to giggle or strangle my parents.

I cut a worried glance at Anders, but he seems more amused than anything else, and winks at me before following my father out of the room.

I whirl on my mother as soon as we’re alone.

“I’m not sixteen!” I hiss under my breath.

She chuckles. “We know that. If you recall, your father never did this with any of those boys.”

“Because I never brought any home!” I huff.

She turns serious, eyeing me. “And that’s exactly why your father is worried.”

“Worried?”

“He’s…well, he’s a professional athlete. A really good-looking one who makes a lot of money.” She emphasizes the last part.

“How do you know that?” I demand.

She shrugs. “Salaries are public information. Teams have to disclose how much the players are making.”

I flush, because it never occurred to me to look.

I know he makes a lot, but I never thought about searching the internet for the exact number.

“This,” she says, watching my face. “ This is exactly why your dad and I worry about you. You’re inexperienced, probably a lot more na?ve than other women your age, and we just want to make sure he’s not going to hurt you.”

“You can’t control that!” I protest. “It’s been a month. Anything can happen. We’re still getting to know each other!”

“Right, but there’s no harm in your father having a man-to-man talk with him. If he’s truly as wonderful as you say he is, what’s the worst that can happen?”

“I die of embarrassment,” I snap.

She shrugs. “You were going to do that anyway. You’re always embarrassed when it comes to boys. Men. The opposite sex.”

I sigh because she’s right.

“Look, your father isn’t going to do anything to scare him away. He just wants to get a feel for the man he is, one on one. Why is that wrong?”

It’s probably not.

It’s just humiliating.

And unnecessary.

If he’s going to hurt me, I got into this relationship fully prepared for that. I won’t like it, obviously, but it’s part of life and I’d rather have the memories of being with him than never knowing him at all.

I stare in the direction he and my father have gone with a resigned sigh.

Nothing is going to stop my dad, so now all I can do is wait it out.