15. Family Dinner

McKenna

I was ecstatic when Hunter phoned me, asking me to dinner - until he added my mother to the invitation! I could practically feel my enthusiasm deflating and her scowl intensifying. I could already feel the heat of her anger radiating off me, knowing she would not be too pleased when I told her about it.

But I had to be brave and do it. It was nice of Hunter to invite me to dinner at his house to celebrate our newfound relationship. This meant he was wholeheartedly accepting me as his daughter. I couldn't be happier!

As the day of the dinner got closer, my excitement mingled with a growing sense of dread. I tried to shake off the unease, telling myself it was just a casual dinner, nothing to worry about. Yet, the prospect of facing my mother's disapproval loomed over me like a dark cloud.

Finally, unable to stall the inevitable any longer, I mustered the courage to tell her.

"Mom," I began carefully, "there's something I need to talk to you about." Her gaze shifted from her boo