An Exchange

Chapter Eighteen - Meeting the Parents

Penny

Ryan picked me up at eleven a.m. and we headed to the mall. We started with lunch, then went out to shop. It surprised me when he suggested shopping as a date. Being a guy, I thought he would be adverse to that sort of thing. But he seemed to enjoy himself, trying to pick clothes out for me, but having no idea. He even tried to get me into Victoria's Secret, but I decided that trip was best left to do with Maria or Zoe.

We would have dinner with his parents that night, and he wanted to make a good first impression. So we tried several shops where I bought new clothes for church and school, before I finally laid eyes on a pretty knee-length floral print dress. I ran my hand down the skirt, then saw the price. I bit my lip and turned away. I couldn’t afford it.

"Do you like it?" Ryan asked.

I turned to him as he stepped up behind me. "Yes, but—"

"Try it on."

"Ryan, I can't afford it."

"I'll pay."

I turned to him, stunned. "No, I can't let you do that."

"I want to." He grabbed one of the dresses and placed it in my hands.

I fell more in love with it as the soft fabric slid over my fingers. So, relenting, I swapped it for the right size before rushing into the change rooms. I slipped it on, pleased with how well it suited me, then showed Ryan.

He looked me up and down and beamed. "Keep it on."

He called over the shop assistant to scan the dress so he could pay.

"This is perfect for meeting my parents." He ran his hand through my ponytail.

I looked back in the mirror, holding my belly in and trying to hide my rear, wishing they were smaller.

Ryan handed the shop assistant his card, then turned to me and ran his hands over my waist. "You look amazing."

I blushed and looked away. "Oh, you know, it could be better..."

I sucked in my belly more as he ran his hand over it.

"No, it couldn't. I like you just the way you are." He kissed me softly.

We picked up his sister from her friend's house. Just as attractive as Ryan, she had the same straight blonde hair, blue eyes, and warm smile, including the small dimple in her cheek.

She ignored her brother as she ran to the car and pulled me out. "Penny?"

"Yes—"

"Oh! I'm so glad I can finally meet you!" She squeezed my hands. "I'm Kendra. Ryan has told me a lot about you, and I've seen you performing at the home games." She leaned in closer and whispered, "He really likes you, you know."

My cheeks rushed with heat. "Oh. Well, I like him too."

She gave me a huge smile and slipped into the car.

I climbed back in, and Ryan gave my knee a squeeze. "My sister likes to know everything about my life. If she misses one thing, she gets very upset. I think it's because she's spoiled by our mom."

"Whatever, golden boy." She slapped his shoulder. She leaned toward me. "Penny, are you okay if we go get your hair and make-up done?"

I touched my hair. I couldn't pay. "I don't—"

"I got it." Ryan smiled at me.

"But you already bought this dress. You can't—"

Kendra laughed. "Penny, it's fine. Ryan likes doing nice things for people. I like that you’re so nice about it, huh, Ry?" She slapped his shoulder again. "Dylan was always all 'Oh, buy me the whole store, Ryan, you can afford it.'"