Tempting Him by Isabel Lucero

34

On Thursday,it’s announced that I was one of three interns chosen to work at MGD. On Friday, I graduate from college.

My parents and sister cheer for me when I walk across the stage, but I still can’t help scanning the crowd, hoping to see a familiar face with blue-green eyes staring back at me.

The morning stretches into the afternoon with tons of pictures being taken after the ceremony is done. After chatting with my friends for a while afterwards and going over the plans for celebrating tonight, I depart campus for the last time.

My parents take me out to eat, and once we’re done, we head back to their hotel.

“I’m so proud of you, baby. You’ve done so well. I can’t wait to see how you shape your life,” Mom says, squeezing me into the fiftieth hug today.

“Thanks, Mom,” I reply, hugging her back. “I’m extremely grateful for yours and Dad’s help getting me here.”

Dad gives me a hug once Mom releases me, our fight behind us for the most part. “Congratulations, son. Like your mom said, we’re beyond proud of you. You’re going to do great things.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“We’re going to be heading back early in the morning,” Mom says from her bed. “So it’ll be an early night for us tonight, but I’m sure you have plans,” she says with a grin.

“Yes, be safe tonight,” Dad adds.

“I will.”

“You don’t have a special person in your life?” Mom finally asks. She’s always questioning who I’m dating, and I’m surprised she’s gone this long without bringing it up.

“Honey,” Dad says, probably wanting to stop this before it starts. “Leave him alone. He’s young. He has a lot of time.”

“What? I’m just curious. I figured if you had someone we’d probably meet them today.”

“There’s nobody,” I tell her. “It’s either the wrong person, wrong time, or wrong circumstance.”

“Wrong circumstance?” she questions.

“Honey,” Dad says again.

She ignores him. “What does that mean, Jay?”

I don’t look in my dad’s direction when I reply. “He doesn’t live here.”

“Does he live nearby? How’d you meet?”

Dad fidgets next to me as he sits in the chair near the window.

“Not that close. He was only here for a short time.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Mom offers. “If it’s meant to be, you’ll work it out.”

I force a grin and nod.

“It’s not going to work,” Dad says, unable to hold his tongue any longer.

I sigh, my shoulders dropping as I anticipate whatever the hell is about to happen now. Janae looks up from her phone as she lounges on the bed, aware the mood has shifted.

Mom’s brows furrow as her head snaps to her husband. “What are you talking about?”

Dad gestures to me, his arm outstretched as he looks at my mom. “Caroline, your son was fu—doing whatever with Alek!”

I don’t miss when Janae sits all the way up, her eyes as round as saucers as her mouth forms an O. Mom flinches back before bringing her gaze back to me.

“Aleksander Drakos?”

“Yes. I caught them our first night here. Our son was up in his hotel room. Apparently, it wasn’t anything serious,” he says, his voice dripping with disbelief.

“Is that true?” Mom asks, her tone calm but her face giving away her shock.

“Yes, it’s true, but I don’t know why we’re talking about this. Dad said enough that night, even threatening to report Alek. He left already. Went back to Chicago early to make Dad happy.”

“Well, I’m still not happy,” he says.

“And you don’t have to be,” I snip. “What should matter is whether I am, and I’m not. Not at all.” I stand up, ready to say what I have to say and leave. Looking only at my mom, I say, “I met Alek before I started work. We did what adults do and then I showed up to work on Monday and found out it was him. He said he wouldn’t have done anything if he had known who I was and was ready to end it then. It was me who pursued him. When we decided, as adults, to continue what he had started, we made sure work was never compromised. Everything remained professional. Our time was spent alone and we knew it was a short-term thing. He left. He’s gone, so it’s over. What is there to talk about?”

Mom remains silent for several seconds, processing, as Dad begins to pace in front of the window.

“I had no idea he was...but okay, umm.” She stands up, hands in the air. “I can understand how your father might feel, and the age difference is there. However, my parents have quite a gap in their age. Fifteen years. But they’ve never had issues, and they’ve always been happy.”

“Caroline, please don’t condone this,” Dad says.

“There’s nothing wrong with it,” she offers in a gentle tone. “I know you look at it a little differently because he’s your friend and boss, but I know him, too. I like him and you know he’s a decent man.”

“He’s the boss. It was inappropriate and he should’ve known better. How can I invite this man into my house again? He took advantage of my son.”

Having heard enough, I speak up. “I wasn’t taken advantage of. I told you I pursued him, but I’m not going to sit here and talk about this anymore. It doesn’t matter. I don’t know how many different ways I can say that. He doesn’t live here. I’ll never see him again. Dad, you get your way, and I’ll eventually move on.”

“Sweetie,” Mom says, stepping closer and grabbing my hands. “I think it does matter. To you. And you’re right, we don’t get a say in our children’s partners. If that was the case, I wouldn’t have married your father.”

Dad scoffs and I look between them, but Mom gives me a grin. “Dad didn’t like him. Thought he was a troublemaker.” She winks. “But he’s been the best husband anybody could ask for, and he’s a great father. He’s just trying to look out for you.”

“I get it,” I say with a sigh. “But I’m not planning on bringing people to you to get your approval, I just have to hope that you both like whoever it is I happen to want to be with.”

“If they make you happy, that’s all I care about,” Mom says.

Dad exhales loudly. “Son, you know I want you to be happy, but you have to understand how this makes me feel. I’m sure you’ll find someone else.”

“I’m gonna go,” I say, attempting to force a smile. “I’m glad you all came to visit. Thanks for everything. Really. Let me know when you make it home. I’ll plan a visit for Thanksgiving.”

Mom wraps her arms around me, her head coming to my chest. “I love you. So proud. Don’t forget that. Be happy, baby.”

I squeeze her back and kiss her cheek. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” I walk around to the bed, and wrap an arm around my sister. “Love you, kid. Stop being a snitch, yeah?”

“Shut up. I love you, too.”

After a quick glance at my dad, and the years of being taught to respect them no matter what, I march toward him and extend my hand. It’s not the best form of good-bye, but at least I’m not ignoring him and walking out.

“Have a safe trip.”

He keeps my hand in his. “I mean it. I want you to be happy.”

I nod before spinning around and leaving the room.