My mother and I had gone back to my apartment after a couple of hours of shopping. She talked me into a blue dress that hugged my curves for dinner. I didn’t need the dress, but it was beautiful.

“So, now that we’re in the privacy of your apartment, how long have you two been sleeping together?”

“Ma.” I told her I wouldn’t answer her questions in public because I knew they’d get embarrassing. It didn’t mean I was going to answer them at home, either.

“What? I need to make sure my daughter is protected.”

“We haven’t actually slept together yet.” I cleared my throat and set her tea down.

“What are you waiting for? That was a pretty hot kiss at the office.”

“Things do get pretty intense, but there’s no sex yet.” I took a drink.

“Okay, then how long have you two been dating and why haven’t you told me yet?”

I shrugged. “I’d say officially it’s been a few weeks.”

“Only a few weeks? You two look cozier than a few weeks. You should still be fumbling around with each other. He was very comfortable with your body and confident enough to touch you in front of me.”

“It’s easy to be comfortable with him, but he wasn’t all over me.”

“No, he wasn’t. He was subtle about it, but he still couldn’t keep his hands off you when we continued to talk in the office. Your father and I need to sit between you two tonight. Frank won’t like him touching you.”

“What’s happening back home?”

She looked me over and picked up her tea. “Your brothers are still making bad decisions when it comes to women and your father works too damn hard. Nothing’s changed.” She took a drink, keeping her eyes on me above the glass. “What’s the deal? We’ve always talked about the guys you’re dating before.”

“I know, but…”

She placed her hand on my knee. “It’s different with him.”

I nodded. “I just don’t want to screw it up.”

“Take it as slow as you need to. I don’t mean to pressure about sleeping with him.”

I shook my head. “I meant with you guys.”

She took her hand back. “Me? What the hell do I have to do with it?”

“Oh, come on, Ma. You know if I tell you anything bad about him, you write him off. Look at the comment you just made about the guys.”

“Your brothers are idiots who are picking up trash. I don’t want trash in the family.” She looked at me. “As for you, I trust your judgment. As long as he treats you well, it’s up to you how much bullshit you want to put up with from a man.

“I won’t stand for him to hurt you, though. I can’t. If that’s what you mean by writing him off, then I’ll admit it. No one hurts my family.” She squeezed my knee. “No matter how charming they are.”

* * *

Tim didn’t look as nervous as I felt. My parents were behind me when I walked up and tried to give him a kiss. He pecked my cheek and winked when I pulled back. He spread my arms apart and looked at the dress I was wearing. “That color looks amazing on you.”

He greeted my mother first with another kiss to her hand. “Good evening, Marcella.” He held his hand out to my father. “You must be Mr. D’Angelo. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

My father looked at his hand before he shook it. He didn’t have to be intimidating to the boys back home because we all knew each other. They knew my dad was a man who meant his word and never thought twice about righting what he thought was wrong. He didn’t have that luxury with Tim. It made me love my father even more for trying to intimidate him.

My father wasn’t a slouch, but he didn’t work out like Brody or Tim. He was tall with broad shoulders that gave people the impression he could hold his own. No one wanted to test that theory. His voice was deep and boomed when he wanted it to. It was his version of flexing his muscles. “I hope the wait isn’t long here. We have a three-hour drive ahead of us.”

My mother elbowed him in the side and whispered, “Don’t be rude.”

“Not to worry. Our table is already waiting.” Tim took my arm and led us to the table. He pulled my chair out and helped me scoot it in when I sat. My parents hung back a little until he motioned for them to come. “Sir.” He pointed to the chair on my left for my dad and pulled out the chair on my right for my mother.

She patted his face before she sat. “You are so cute.” My father cleared his throat and my mother glared at him. “We may have been married for almost forty years, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t still appreciate the gestures.”

Tim glanced at me before he sat. Maybe he was a little more nervous than I thought. My father picked up the menu. “What’s good here?”

“Everything’s good, but I enjoy the steak.” Tim opened his menu.

* * *

I knew my father was having a better time than he let on because they stayed for dessert. Whether he was paying or not, dessert was something he didn’t usually like to sit through. His belief was if the dinner was good enough, you’d be too full for dessert.

He wiped his mouth with his napkin and put it on his plate. “It’s been an interesting night, but I think we need to get on the road.”

“Unfortunately, I agree.” My mother held my hand and squeezed. “Come home for a visit soon, will you?” She took Tim’s hand. “Both of you come out.”

“I’ll see what we can do.” Tim smiled, but I knew he was thinking about his brother and how he couldn’t leave him. I was lucky to have the dinner without a distraction.

My father stood and motioned for Tim to stay seated. “You two finish up.” He held his hand out. “It was nice to meet you, Tim.”

Tim shook his hand. “Likewise, Frank.”

My mother and I stood to hug. I walked around and hugged my dad. “Drive safe and please let me know when you get home.”

“We will.” My father looked me over before he took a deep breath. “When did you grow up?” He shook his head as he walked away.

My mom came around for another hug and whispered, “He’s right.” She glanced at Tim before holding my face. “You’re all grown up now.”

I squeezed her wrists. I knew they were referring to Tim and me as if we were a great couple with the possibility to have what they have. I wanted to believe it, but when I saw Tim check his phone, I wasn’t sure he was ready to leave the responsibilities he thought he had and join his own life.

My mother saw it, too. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

I sat back down in my chair and watched him as he looked at his phone. “Is everything okay?”

“What?” He glanced up and went back to the phone.

I sighed and took my phone out. “I’ll call a cab.”

He looked at me and narrowed his eyes. “You don’t have your car?”

“No, my father brought me.”

“I’ll take you home.” He put his phone away and reached across the table to take my hand. “I’d be happy to take you home.”

“You don’t need to deal with anything else?” I nodded to the phone he put away.

“No.” He smiled. “I turned the ringer off while we were having dinner. I was just making sure the center was still standing.”

“What about Brody?”

“I’m sure he’s still standing somewhere, too.” He ran his thumb over the back of my hand. “What do you think your dad thinks of me?”

I smiled. “I think he likes you a lot.”

“I couldn’t tell. I know your mom loves me, but what’s not to love?” He laughed. “I like your mom. I like seeing you with your mom. Your Italian comes out when you talk to her.”

“My Italian?” I tilted my head. “Am I supposed to take offense to that?”

“Not at all. You’re a little sassy, but even more so when your mom is around. I like it.” He cleared his throat. “Your brothers sound interesting.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I think they have a pact to bring the most obnoxious woman home just to mess with our mother.”

I watched Tim as he took his wallet out of his back pocket. He’d opened up a few times about his family and what it was like growing up. I assumed that was what the sad look on his face was about. He never had an option to mess with his mother. He was too busy taking care of everyone, including her until she died.

“Let me help with the bill.” I reached for my handbag.

“No, I’ve got it.”

The waitress came up to check on us. “Did you need anything else?”

“No, thank you. We’re just waiting for the check.”

She cleared my parents’ plates. “The gentleman you were with took care of it.”

Tim stopped looking through his wallet and looked up at her. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, you’re paid up and free to go whenever you’re ready.”

I took the last drink of my wine. “I told you my father liked you.”