Perfect (Book 1)

Guilt

A/N: I tried to make the first 3/4 of this chapter as cute and enjoyable as possible, because it's getting a little heavier in the end. You'll see what I mean. I don't how you guys will feel about it, but i'm interested in this idea. We'll just see how it goes.

Chapter 14

I cradled the bundle of flowers I'd bought as I rang the doorbell, and smiled widely. While I was excited to be able to meet Scott's parents, I was more excited to prove to Scott that I could get through an entire meal without saying something stupid.

The door opened and Connie greeted me with a smile, "Those flowers are beautiful, come on in," she insisted.

"Well, they're for you," I assured her as I handed her the bundle, smiling as she cooed over them.

"Hey," Scott greeted as he came down the stairs.

"He's a keeper," Connie informed Scott.

"I know," Scott assured her, smiling cheekily at me.

"Well, go get washed up. Dinner's all ready, and the table's all set," Rick instructed from the dining room.

"Will do," Scott replied before nodding up the stairs, and I followed suit.

"Prepare to feel stupid when I don't say anything stupid," I declared as we entered the bathroom.

He scoffed, "Right," he retorted sarcastically.

"How about a wager?" I challenged as I turned on the sink.

He gave me a playful grin, "Mitch Grassi suggesting a bet? First beating Braden with a pot and now this? You've changed," he teased over dramatically.

"Come on. It'll be fun. Unless you're scared you'll lose all of your money," I taunted.

Once we finished washing our hands, he turned towards me with a confident look, "Please, continue."

"Every time I slip up, you get $5. But if I make it through a 10 minute interval without saying something stupid, I get $5. Whoever has the most money at the end of dinner, gets all of the money."

I know, it was a waste of money, but I'd be the one getting the money, so I had no need to worry.

"I'm gonna be rich. You're on Mitchy," he declared as he held out his hand.

I shook his hand confidently, before leading the way out of the bathroom.

Scott pulled my chair out for me, and I smiled at him before sitting down. "Thank you Scott," I replied.

"What can I say, I'm a gentleman," he stated cockily before sitting down as well across from me. His parents sat across from each other as well.

I looked at the food selection, and my mouth nearly started watering. "It looks fantastic," I blurted out.

"Thank you," Connie replied, "Help yourself," she replied.

We all silently began dishing out food onto our plates, and I had never been more excited to eat. I inhaled the wonderful scents before taking a deep breath. I grabbed my spoon before scooping a mouthful of the decadent looking mashed potatoes into my mouth.

I froze with the spoon in my mouth when Scott cleared his throat. I glanced up at him and his parents that were all staring at me. They were holding hands, and Connie and Rick had their hands awaiting mine.

"We pray before our meals," Scott informed me with a sly grin.

My whole body felt hot with embarrassment. There went $5. I pulled the spoon out of my mouth and slowly set it on my plate, before swallowing the potatoes.