"I didn't want to commit to dinner in case, well, everyone's freaking out."
He nodded. "Probably a good idea." He put his elbows back on the railing.
I leaned on the ledge beside him. "I used to run on these paths in high school."
"I didn't know that you liked to run."
"I don't," I laughed. "I made myself. I wanted to make sure I was in good shape for volleyball. I actually hate running."
"You played volleyball?"
"Why do you always seem surprised when I tell you about my athletic abilities? I'm an only child. I used to play stuff with my dad all the time. He never had a son." I shrugged my shoulders. "I was actually pretty awesome at volleyball."
"You're probably awesome at everything you do." He put his arm around my shoulders.
"I used to dream of having a boyfriend to walk with back here. I even used to dream about sneaking out of my house and coming over here for secret rendezvous."
"Hmm." He leaned down and kissed me. "You were always quite scandalous. The news of you dating your professor shouldn't shock your parents at all then."
I laughed uneasily. I almost said that dreams were different than reality. But that would have been a lie. Being with him was like the best dream come true.
"What were you like in high school?"
"What do you mean? Like I am now. Or, like I was before I met you, I guess. Shy and quiet. Completely invisible. I don't feel invisible anymore."
My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket. "They will both be home in an hour." I was almost disappointed. "What's the plan exactly? How do you think we should bring it up? We already told them that you were a student. And you look young, James. I feel like they're going to think I'm joking."
He pulled me against his chest. "I don't think there is any right way. Let's just try not to think about it."
"How can I possibly not think about it? I want them to love you as much as I do."
James ran his fingers through my hair. "I think it's more likely that your dad will punch me in the face than love me."
I laughed. "He's not going to do that," I said. But I didn't really know. I had no idea what to expect.
"I'd love a tour of your house. So I can plan my escape route and everything before they get there. Just in case."
"If you need to make an emergency escape, please don't leave me in the crossfire."
"I would never."
***
I felt a little nervous when I opened up the front door. I wasn't ashamed of who I was at all. But James was rich. He wasn't used to a normal colonial house in the suburbs. My house was classically homey. I stepped inside and turned on the light in the hallway.
My cat, Teddy, ran into the room meowing. I laughed and lifted him up in my arms. "This is Teddy," I said as I turned back toward James.
"I didn't realize you were a cat person."
"I wouldn't classify myself as a cat person." Melissa had always joked around with me, saying I'd be a future cat lady. I was glad that my fate seemed to have changed. I held out my cat to James.
"Oh, um, okay." He grabbed Teddy and held the cat out in front of him. He looked so uncomfortable. Teddy began to squirm inhis hands. "Oh God." He tossed Teddy onto the floor, and the cat immediately darted out of the room.
I started laughing. "So, I'm guessing you aren't an animal person?"
"Was it that obvious? I just never had a pet growing up. Now cats and dogs just kind of freak me out."
I laughed and grabbed his hand. "Well, I just have the one cat. So you don't need to worry about running into any more. And I'm pretty sure Teddy is going to stay away from you the rest of the afternoon."
