Hard to Love You

Chapter 13

" Wow. This is amazing," I said, looking over at Susan.

For dinner was barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots, and steamed corn. I haven't had a home cooked meal like this since thanksgiving.

" I have to agree. This is very delicious," Daniel said, wiping his mouth.

He was dressed in dark denim jeans and a button down shirt. It's funny how he always know what to wear and what not to wear for certain things.

Susan beamed with pride and thanked us happily. Susan was sitting across from me with her husband sitting across. Tyler sat on my right and Daniel sat on my left. We ate our dinner, everybody on the second or third plate, and talked about random things from school to us as babies.

I loved hearing these baby stories and I loved how Tyler wasn't getting embarrassed but adding on to the story. As we finished dinner Susan got up and came back with a chocolate cake. I was already full and I could tell Daniel was too.

I took a small slice anyways while Tyler took a huge chunk. How the fuck can he eat so much?

When we finished eating we all sat back in our seats.

" Thanks so much Susan," I said with a grateful smile.

" Thank you. It was wonderful. I'm really sorry but I need to go," Daniel said as he pushed back his chair.

" Oh alright. It was so nice meeting you!" Susan exclaimed.

Daniel shook hands with both of Tyler's parents and gave Tyler a nod.

" Drop her off later," Daniel said to Tyler.

" No problem," Tyler replied.

Daniel kissed the top of my head and gave me a wink.

" I'll explain later," he said so quietly I'm not sure if he even said anything.

He was smiling so big that it scared me. I haven't seen him this happy since, well I can't remember the last time. He left and I thought about what he had to tell me. I pushed the thought away and smiled, getting up.

" I'll do the dishes," I offered, already taking everybody's plates.

" Oh no! You are the guest. I'll do them," Susan said, standing up.

I laughed and balanced a couple plates on top of each other.

" But you fed me. Come on. It's the least I can do."

I took all the plates I could then walked into the kitchen, setting them down. Tyler came in a couple seconds later, carrying the rest of the dishes and cups. He set them on the counter and I began scraping the remains of food off the plates, which was easy since there barely was any, and began washing them.

" I like this side of Ashley. Doing dishes and being respectful. Maybe we should just hang out when my parents are around," he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

I didn't look at him and focused on the plate I was washing.

" Don't push it. She just fed me so I have to do the dishes. I'd be an asshole not to offer," I said, passing him the plate to dry.

He grabbed a dish towel and took the plate from me, drying it.

" Plus. Asshole is your name. Not mine," I said with a slight smile before going back to the dishes.

" That's not what your going to be calling me when we hit the bed," he said and I laughed.

" We aren't hitting the bed anytime soon. Maybe never."