She wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a firm look. No matter what happens tonight, I love you. Nothing will change that. So, please, be yourself and calm down.

I really want them to like me. Ive never met a girls parents before.

They are humans just like everyone else, she said with a laugh.

You know what I mean.

Itll be fine.

What am I supposed to say I do for a living? I asked. Make something up?

Say you work for the company, but dont tell them you own it.

I growled. I really hate lying. They might recognize my last name, and being caught in a lie by my future in-laws would be horrific.

They would understand your desire for privacy.

Just let me tell them, I said. I want them to know Im going to take care of you.

Cassandra sighed then gave me a hard look. Do you really want them to like you because youre rich? Do you really want to be accepted because of that? Or would you like to be liked because of you?

She had a point. I looked down and thought quietly.

So dont tell them, but dont lie either.

That sounds complicated.

Tell them what you do at work but drop the CEO part.

I sighed. Fine.

Thank you. She gave me a hot kiss then pulled away. She wore a black dress that showed her baby bump. She didnt even try to hide it.

Maybe you should cover it up so you dont give your dad a heart attack as soon as you walk in the restaurant.

No. Im not hiding it from anyone. They can deal with it.

My baby could be such a hard-ass sometimes. Alright. Lets get this shit over with.

Ill give you the best sex of your life when we get home.

That caught my attention. What for? Just for meeting your parents?

No. For making them fall in love with you.

I drove to the restaurant then found a parking spot a block away.

How did that bid go for the house? she asked. Have you heard anything?

This was the one time I was going to lie. And I had a damn good reason to. Baby, we didnt get it. Im sorry. I held her hand and rubbed the top of her knuckles.

Oh. She tried to hide her disappointment by looking out the window. Well, Im sure well find another one.

We will, I said. A better one.

She still seemed sad and I hated the look. Dont worry, okay? Well find the perfect house.

She smiled slightly. I know its stupid, but I fell in love with that house. But its just a house. It really doesnt matter. Well make a beautiful life together no matter where we live, even if its in a shack on an island.

I wouldnt mind that, actually. I leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss. We could make love all day, and all the kids would work in the garden and hunt.

How big is this island? she asked with a laugh.

A big ass island.

Apparently.

I was glad I cheered her up. Now lets eat. Im starving.

We left the car and entered the restaurant.

They are sitting by the window, she said.

I took her hand then took a deep breath. Alright.

Youll be fine. She gave me a gentle squeeze.

Okay.

We approached the table and her parents stood up. Her mom greeted her first and gave her a hug. She had golden hair just like Cassandra. Now I understood where she got it from. Both of her parents were lean and limber. I could see where she got her natural fitness from.

You look beautiful, honey, her mother said while she cupped her cheeks.

Thanks, Mama. I know its been a while.

Her father kissed her cheek. Hey, honey.

Hi, Dad.

Neither one noticed her distended belly.

Her dad looked me up and down. This is the boyfriend you told us about?

She linked her arm through mine. Yes.

He smiled. Going on a job interview? he teased.

I played along. Just trying to make a good impression.

You look sharp. He extended his hand and shook mine. Im Mr. Riley, but call me Dean.

Im Mr. Preston, but call me Mike.

He chuckled. I like your wit.

His wife extended her hand. Im Jenny. Its nice to meet you.

You too, I said politely. Now I know where Cassandra gets her beautiful hair from.

She blushed. Thank you. Its one of the things Im a bit vain about.

As you should be.

Another man emerged from behind them with dirty blonde hair and green eyes. Im Joey. Nice to meet you.

Her brother. The pleasure is mine. I shook his hand. He was the same height as me, towering over his dad. Im not sure how that happened.

Lets sit down, Dean said.

I waited for Cassandra sit in the booth first before I sat beside her. I didnt touch her because I didnt think it was appropriate, but Cassandra rested her hand on my thigh, dangerously close to my crotch.

Now for the interview, Dean said. Tell me about yourself.

Im in love with your daughter. Thats all you need to know, I said.

Awe, Jenny said. How cute.

Good to know, Dean said. But what else?

I like golfing with my dad, spending time with my family, hitting the gym with Cassandra, watching television with her, and various other things.

Did you go to college?

Cassandra didnt say I had to hide that fact. Yes. I got my degree in business finance and a masters in economics.

My man is smart. Cassandra was affectionate with me like her parents werent across from us. I think she was trying to calm me down. But it wasnt working. It was just distracting. I wanted to have a hot make out session with her.

Impressive, he said. Where did you go to school?

I knew Id earn points with this. Yale.

Jennys eyes widened. Wow. That is impressive.

Her brother stared at me but didnt say anything.

Im glad you found a college boy, Dean said.

I assumed Zander hadnt gone to college. At least I had another point over his head.

Where do you work? her father asked.

Linguistics Software, I answered.

That big building next to Beer and Bark? Dean asked.

The very one, I said.

What do you do there? he asked.

This was tricky I handle all the investments. I couldnt think of anything better to say.

Is that how you two met? Jenny asked with a smile.

Yep, I said. I asked her for some invoices, and she gave them to me. The rest was history.

How sweet, she said. Its been a while, huh?

About six months, she said. Were getting serious.

Getting serious? I was about to put a ring on her damn finger and she was carrying my baby.

Thats wonderful, her mother said. I suspect well be seeing a lot more of Mike.

You will, Cassandra said firmly.

The waiter took our order and her father ordered a bottle of wine for the table. I hoped that wouldnt be a problem. I didnt want to spill the beans this early into the meal.

Her father uncorked the bottle and poured us all a glass. Im a bit of a wine aficionado.

I wanted to tell him my father owned a few vineyards in Napa, but I remembered I couldnt. Too bad. It would have been a good conversation starter.

Her brother was quiet, keeping to himself a lot of the time. He didnt speak often, and his parents didnt include him in the conversation. It didnt even seem like Cassandra was close with him.

You havent tried your wine, Cassandra, her father said. You love red wine.

I finished my glass already. I should have traded glasses when no one was looking.

I like to drink when I have some food in my stomach.

Good excuse.

Her father seemed to buy it. He talked to me about stock investments. He seemed interested in wine and money, nothing else. He didnt mention sports or politics. But I didnt like talking about politics anyway.

Her mother was a private seamstress. She worked at a dry cleaner in Manhattan. Both of her parents seemed perfectly nice, but I didnt click with them. I was just glad they didnt hate me"yet. This place was a little fancy so I planned on paying for dinner but I didnt want to insult her father at the same time. This was complicated.

The food was brought and we dug in. I discreetly switched our glasses so it would look like she drank it.

Mike must have loved the wine if hes trying to steal Cassandras, Dean noted.