The Stranger / Chris Evans x OC

Chapter 137: Dinner Etiquette

AMELIA

Chris and I got ready for dinner after taking a very long - and thorough - shower. He also grumbled something along the lines of having to get his sweats dry cleaned which made me giggle. 

We both got ready pretty quickly; I decided to wear a baby blue sundress that I'd packed for the trip, although when I had, I hadn't realized that the temperatures would be very inconsistent due to the seasons, forcing me to put on a cardigan over it. 

I left my hair hanging loosely, only putting on natural make-up since I wanted to make a good impression - Lisa doesn't strike me as a very judgmental person, but I have less to no experience with meeting the parents, so I wanted to play it safe. 

Chris, as per usual fashion, just had to shrug on a pair of dark jeans and a navy blue jumper and he was all set. Typical. 

He's sitting on the couch, lazily scrolling through his phone when I walk into the living room, purse in hand. "Okay, I'm ready to go." 

His eyes lift at the sound of my voice, a smile breaking out on his face, "You look beautiful, bug." 

"Thanks," I grin, giving him a twirl that makes the dress swing out, "I wanted to look nice." 

Chris chuckles, "You always look nice. You're my pretty baby." 

I smile shyly, tucking some hair behind my ear, "Stop it. Don't make me flustered before going to spend an entire evening with your mom and brother, it's embarrassing." 

Chris laughs, getting up from the couch and reaching for my hand, "Fine, I promise to be nice." 

"Good," I hum before we exit the hotel room. We meet Scott and Lisa in the lobby before driving to the restaurant Chris chose. 

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We all sit down at the table, Chris sitting in the couch next to me while Lisa and Scott take a seat in the chairs opposite of us. 

The waitress brings over our menus, and I don't miss the way her eyes linger on Chris before she walks off, but he doesn't even seem to notice. He's smiling from ear to ear, asking his mom questions about everything that's been going on at home while he's been away. 

I smile widely at how she excitedly tells him about how his niece went to summer camp and learned how to make jewelry, proudly showing off a bracelet she's wearing, filled with colorful beads in different shapes and sizes. 

Scott joins in as well, telling Chris about how him and his boyfriend went traveling over the summer, and I let them catch up while I quietly open my menu to look through the options. 

It's not that I don't want to be a part of the conversation, but it's hard to navigate considering I don't know any of the people they're talking about. Part of me also feels guilty for being here, even though the rational side knows I shouldn't be, but I know how much Chris has missed them and I want him to be able to catch up and talk to them without everything being about us - or me. 

Their conversation shifts in topic when Lisa says, "Alright, more talk after. Right now I need to order, I'm starving." 

"Me too," Scott chimes in as he picks up his menu. 

Chris leans in close to me, lowering his voice to a whisper when he bends his head down, his lips brushing my ear, "You doing okay?" 

I nod and look at him with a smile, "Of course. I just don't want to be in the way, I want you guys to be able to catch up without worrying about me."

He smiles softly, a warm palm landing on my bare thigh, his thumb stroking it soothingly, "That's very sweet, bug. But you could never be in the way."