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Chapter 8

(Edited)

My dad arrives promptly at 6:00 pm for dinner and the four of us sit around the dining room table. Carolyn made a roast chicken with baked potatoes, and barbequed vegetables. The smell makes my mouth water as Dan piles the food onto my plate and passes it to me. My dad sits opposite me and smiles through the steam cloud rising from the food.

"Thank you for the invite Carolyn, I honestly had no idea what I was going to make the two of us for dinner tonight." My dad says glancing at Dan's mom as he spears a piece of chicken and broccoli onto his fork.

"Oh it's my pleasure Andrew. I was planning on offering the invite even if Becca hadn't arrived this afternoon."

"How was the rest of your afternoon you two?" My forkful of potatoes gets caught in my throat and I cough suddenly. Dan glances at me, since we weren't exactly planning on becoming a couple today and we have no idea how to break the news to my dad.

"Well it was less eventful than the earlier part of today," Dan jokes, giving me a minute to drink some of my water and look back at my father. Carolyn raises an eyebrow at her son's comment but doesn't say anything.

"Well, Dan and I have, um...our relationship has evolved a little bit today actually...we um..."

"We're dating." Dan states, smiling at me and touching my knee with his hand. My dad tilts his head in response.

"Oh, well congratulations. I suppose you finally picked up on all of her not-so-subtle hints Daniel?" My dad asks, not taking his gaze off his plate as he raises another forkful of food to his mouth.

"What?"

"Dad!" I squeak. Carolyn's laugh from my dad's left startles me.

"Well it wasn't as though you weren't making it obvious Becca." She says and I scoff.

"Dan didn't notice." I rebut, turning to look at my new boyfriend's face, which is looking at me bashfully.

"I wasn't sure if they were hints or if it was wishful thinking," he replies.

"Aw, aren't you two adorable. Could you please save it for anywhere that isn't near me?" My dad teases as he looks at me and Dan with amusement.

"Sure Andrew, I'll make sure Becca keeps her cool." Dan remarks with a smirk.

"Yes because I will be the one with the problem. Don't worry dad, I've got this." I reply, "and worst-case scenario, I'll just push him in the pool."

"I knew you did that on purpose." Dan exclaims, dropping his fork to his plate.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I reply with a coy smile.

"Mom? You were outside today, back me up?" Dan asks, gesturing towards me as I sit a little straighter in my chair, glancing at Carolyn. She looks over at my father and then back to Dan and me with a clown-like grin spreading across her face.

"I have no memory of what push you are talking about." She replies. Dan groans in annoyance as Carolyn and I laugh. My dad sits in a state of quiet amusement as we all remember we still have delicious homemade food on our plates and promptly return to it. All the while Dan's hand resting on my right knee sending rays of warmth through my skin.

Once dinner is over, the sun is beginning to set, and my father insists Dan and I help clean the table since Carolyn cooked us the amazing meal. We are happy to help, and the instant the table is tidied up we turn to bolt back downstairs.

"Becca, Dan, come back please." Carolyn calls as we reach the staircase. Dan glances at me.

"Dang, so close," he teases.