The Fling

38

To celebrate turning twenty-five, I threw a small party at my house. The food and drinks were catered by a local vegan restaurant, and even though there were no decorations due to their negative environmental impact, the overall vibe was still festive. Only my closest friends and immediate family were in attendance, and this was the perfect scenario to introduce my girlfriend to them. Obviously she'd already met Brian and Mike in Palm Springs, but she had not seen them since then.

I had my arm draped around her shoulders as we stood in the kitchen with my parents. Everyone else was in my yard enjoying the sunset and some outstanding weed I'd purchased for the occasion. I was mildly buzzed, but Abigail was completely sober since she couldn't stay over. Hannah and Bertie had a neighbor babysitting them, and she'd told the teen that she'd be home by midnight. Unless we snuck away during the party, I wasn't getting any birthday sex, and with my family constantly nearby, this wasn't likely...but not impossible. I tried to think of a way to get her alone for a quickie.

"Your book idea sounds really interesting," my mum said as she poured herself a glass of white wine, interrupting my sexy thoughts. "Do you have a literary agent?"

Abigail shook her head. "Not yet. I have a few connections through my ex-husband, but I plan to submit my manuscript, if I produce one, to agents I don't know first. It'll be more satisfying if someone takes interest because it is actually good."

Manny smiled. "Shawn says the notes he's read are fantastic. When do you think you'll be done?"

"Probably not until early next year. Right now I'm focused on getting my ideas out, but the harder process will be revising it."

The conversation continued as my parents asked more questions, though eventually the topic switched to me and the music I was writing. My sister, Aaliyah, joined us, saving me from the inevitable question about when I'd release a single or an album. Both of my parents meant well, and they understood how anxiety impacted my work, but sometimes they probed too deeply into my career.

"Can I bring some food out to the patio? Everyone is getting hungry but no one wants to get up," she said.

This was one of the side effects of smoking. "Let me help," I offered.

Abigail grabbed a couple platters, too, which we set on the teak table I bought a few days ago along with some comfy chairs, blankets, and pillows. I'd also strung up some lights, and now that the sun had set, I turned them on. My yard had a distinctly bohemian feel and I loved it.

My parents stayed indoors, but I could see them talking through the glass door. Mum was frowning, which made my heart sink, because she was either upset with how I'd evaded her queries about my career or she didn't like Abigail. I settled onto an open lounge chair and pulled a joint from my front pocket. As I lit up, my girlfriend squeezed in next to me.

"I like your parents," she said softly, "but I don't think your mother feels the same way about me. I can't say I blame her. I might react similarly if one of my kids dated someone older."

I kissed her temple. "Give her time. She's not one to warm up to everyone instantly, but she's a very good judge of character, so there's no way she's not going to end up liking you." I hoped this proved to be true.

In lieu of cake, I'd ordered dozens of gourmet macarons, since they were gluten free, along with some vegan cupcakes since my sister had even stricter food restrictions than me. Around ten, I got them out of the fridge, and my very-high guests descended on them like vultures. I popped an apricot flavored cookie in my mouth and was about to suggest that Abigail try it when I noticed she wasn't in the kitchen. Walking through my house, I found her sitting on the stairs near the front door talking on her phone.