"Seriously though, we need to know things on a personal level. Things serious couples would know," he says. "Things that normally bore me and I avoid at all costs," he continues.I furrow my brows at him and his Neanderthal ways of courting a woman."I agree about knowing some aspects of each other's lives, but some things need to be left out to keep this platonic on our end," I advise twirling the ends of my hair."We need to learn about each other's families, what they like, what they don't like-" "My dad won't like you, I know it." I shake my head, imagining the questions my father will fire at him. "Oh, you have no idea what you're in for with my mother. She's hard to please, and won't like you instantly because she didn't pick you out herself." Skepticism bounces behind his eyes, and my face falls."What happened to she'll go to the ends of the earth for you," I respond sarcastically. "Yeah, if she likes you." His brows rise. "She won't like you," he chuckles.M

Then again, Rae is one of a kind. I remember the first time I saw her at that wedding. I was jealous of Jacob and I knew immediately she was too good for him. Especially after he told me he screwed the wedding planner the day before the wedding. Me taking Rae and running away with her was the nail in mine and Jacob's relationship and I couldn't be happier about it. He deserves much worse, and if karma has anything to do about it he will soon.Climbing inside, I start the truck and we head to the BBQ."So, my mom is nosey. Try not to engage in conversation too much," she informs. "She's very good at reading body language.""Mine is too. Keep it simple and follow my lead," I suggest. My mom will have you turned around in your own lie before you even know it. She rubs her forehead with a shaky hand; she's nervous."We'll go, make our appearance, and split. It'll be fine," I try to reassure her. Reaching over, I cup her hand, and her eyes drop to our joined palms. My heart sl

"So tell me about your parents," I change the subject. He rubs at his chin, clearly not liking the turn of conversation."I co-own a business as an architect. It's different than most people think as we take one project on at a time and we help on the building process," he explains."That sounds nice," I genuinely reply and he scoffs. "The other one is my dad, he's all business and ties. We have different ideas on how owning a company should work," his words come out with pain and anguish. "My mom is a trophy wife, her words not mine," he smirks, his hard eyes softening mentioning her. "She is a retired lawyer but you wouldn't know it by the way she's always debating everything you say."I swallow hard, lawyers and architects... I can't help but sound like a third wheel with not going to any prestigious college. "So what about you?" he asks with a lift of his chin.Raising my head I blow a breath through hollowed cheeks."Let's see. My mother teaches night school for dr

***RaeThe next dayClimbing out of the shower I glance in the mirror noticing the red splotches from the allergic reaction have started to slowly fade. I learned a valuable lesson last night. Be careful what you wish for. I prayed for dying of an allergic reaction to the lobster, and I broke out in hives late last night. I felt like I was going to die. If it wasn't for Quinn asking our neighbor for Benadryl, who knows maybe I would have.Grabbing the towel, I rub the droplets from my chest."Jeez, I look like a lobster," I frown. Maybe it's because the water was a little hot?Tightening the towel around my body I try not to focus on the spots. Max will be here soon, I have to get ready.Pushing the clothes in my closet aside I look for something date appropriate. Something that doesn't say 'I worked hard to look like this for you', but something that doesn't suggest I didn't even try.I settle on a green tank top with a red and white flannel blouse to match.Biting

Lani steps aside and Rae and I walk inside. A staircase sits to the left with a small entryway leading off into what looks like a kitchen. A living room to the left. The walls are white with distressed cracks in the wood, and the floor's the same but a natural wood color. This house has memories and tells a story just by looking at it. I can't help but imagine Rae running through this house as a little kid. Probably just as much of a pain in the ass as she is now.A tall built man steps out of the living room. His hair a brown color and thinning, his face red from what looks like being in the sun. He's wearing a red shirt and blue jeans, his farmer's tan blinding as the brass color of his arms turning into a deafening white mid-arm. I remember seeing him at the wedding."You're just in time for dinner." Rae's father holds his hand out. I shake his hand, and though he's smiling I sense an unspoken warning in his eyes. That if I break his little girl's heart... he'll tear mine