I Love Him But I Can't (Scallison)

Family Dinner

"Allison," my mom shouted from downstairs. "It's almost time to go. Are you ready?"

"Just putting on lipgloss," I shouted back. I look at my reflection. A simple yet elegant black dress that flowed to my knees. My hair was half up and half down. After closing the cap on my lipgloss, I smile. "Perfect."

I jog down the stairs and find dad in a suit, mom in a modest purple dress, and of course Kate was in a strapless red dress.

"How do I look," I asked.

Dad smiles and says "You look so beautiful that Scott might not remember how to talk."

"That's what I'm aiming for."

Dad and mom walk out the door and Kate loops her arm with mine.

"I don't think he'll be able to keep his hands off you. You wouldn't mind that though, would you now?" I blush and Kate laughs. "Oh relax kiddo, you're young and in love. It's normal. Your parents won't hear anything from me about last week."

Lydia came out of her room and says "What happened last week?"

"I walked in on them about to do it," Kate said.

Lydia laughs and says "Just be thankful it wasn't your parents. Especially your dad. Forgot the fact that it'd be embarrassing, it'd be condemning Scott to death."

"Where are you headed?" I asked when I noticed her carry on.

"Oh, Erica and I are having a girls night. We haven't really hung out as much as we did before you moved to town. It'll be nice to have some one on one time with her."

I nod and say "Have fun."

"You too. I'll see you tomorrow after court. Sleeping at Erica's tonight."

"Good. You two deserve some time to yourselves. The custody battle and I have been taking up all your time. You need some fun with an old friend."

/

Outside the restaurant, Melissa sat on a bench in a fancy black dress with a mini jacket over it. Scott wore a red button down shirt, dress pants, and a black tie as well as a black suit jacket. He looked so handsome. When he looked at me, he stood slowly from the bench and seemed frozen in place.

"Wow," he said after we got closer. "You look...wow."

I smile and kiss him quickly. "You don't look too bad yourself."

"You two are just adorable," Melissa said. "Our table is ready inside. Shall we go eat?"

Kate nods and says "I'm starved."

Scott takes my hand and we walk into the restaurant following our parents. It was lovely inside. The lighting was low, classical music humming gently through the speakers, and good spacing between tables. Scott pulls out my chair before taking the seat beside me.

"Such a gentleman."

Scott kisses my cheek and smiles. I'd gotten the grilled chicken and Scott had gotten spaghetti. We shared as our parents talked about random things. Towards the end of dinner, the conversation about the weather was too boring for me to handle. I decided to have a little fun.