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“I have my own issues, is what I mean. I come with flaws, and whatif they don’t like me for you because of them? What if they don’t like me atall? You didn’t.” She closed her eyes, terrified she wouldn’t make a goodimpression. She wanted to so badly. For herself. For Elle.

Elle softened and came and sat on the bed next to her. She gaveher those earnest eyes that always stole Gia’s breath. “Are you planning toblow off one of their greetings, or shoot them a competitive stare, or drop inon one of their waves?”

Gia shook her head. “Not on my to-do list, that I know of.”

Elle smiled. “Then I’m confident you’ll do just fine.” She kissedGia softly. “But we should get you dressed, because we’re about to find out.”

Chapter Fifteen

Elle felt on edge.

Not because she was afraid Gia would make a bad impression, not atall. But rather, because her parents would be meeting someone important to herfor the first time. She hadn’t introduced them to a significant other since hersenior prom, when the corsage hadn’t gone on right and the photos had been acomedy of errors and her dad had to drive them when the hired car hadn’t shownup. It only heightened the intensity that, this time, she would be introducingthem to a woman. Her mother had been surprised, but supportive, when she’dbroken the news. Her father had said…less. Though she knew inherently that heloved her very much and would be there for her when she needed him, she neededhimtonight.

This was going to go well, wasn’t it? It would be fine. Just fine.She should suck it up and get out of her own head.

“Oh, there’s my girl,” she heard her father say, as they roundedthe corner into the restaurant. She held firmly to Gia’s hand and passed her asupportive smile. And then there they were, standing in the entryway ofMonterios, the high-end seafood restaurant attached to the resort. Her fatherwore a crisp suit that matched his gray hair, feathered back. Her mother hadassembled her blond locks into a pile on her head and looked elegant in aturquoise cocktail dress with a solitary diamond hanging around her neck. Theylooked happy, tan, and like the stereotypical California parents.

“Hey, you guys,” Elle said, pulling her mother into a hug and thenaccepting a hug and kiss on the cheek from her father. “Been here long?”

“We had a glass of wine at the bar and headed over about fiveminutes ago,” her mother said.

Elle turned to Gia. “I want to introduce you both to Gia Malone.Gia, this is my father, Blake Britton, and my mother, Dee. They live in LagunaBeach.”

She looked on as the three of them exchanged handshakes andpleasantries.

“You’re a talented surfer,” her father said. “Right on Elle’sheels.”

Gia looked off balance. It would be in her nature to say somethingcompetitive. It was what they did with each other. Instead she pivoted. “Shemakes it hard.”

Her father wrapped an arm around Elle and smiled. “That’s my girl.Shall we go inside?”

Dinner got off to a decent enough start. Her parents werefriendly. Gia was charming. The food was wonderful and the restaurant quietenough that they could all talk comfortably. That’s when it happened.

“So, Gia,” her mother said, cutting into a scallop, “are youseeing anyone?”

Gia went still. Elle swallowed the bite of chicken in her mouthbefore choking. “Mom,” she said, setting down her knife and fork, “Gia and Iare seeing each other. You know that.”

Her mothered dropped her voice. “I know there was a kiss and a lotof hubbub about it, but I didn’t know you were moving toward an actualrelationship. That seems like a big leap.”

Elle went numb. Her mother thought this was a phase. She’d beensupportive while quietly waiting for it to pass. Elle met Gia’s sad anduncomfortable eyes and sent her a reassuring smile. “Well, we are.”

Her father sat taller. “It’s surely difficult, dating someoneyou’re in such close competition with.” He directed the question at Gia.

“I think we take that part one day at a time. Having a sense ofhumor about it helps. I think we both do.”

Elle nodded. “Definitely some razzing.”

“And you think that’s sustainable?” he asked them both.

“I guess that’s what we’re hoping,” Elle said. Gia attempted asmile, looking nervous as hell.

“And this is what youwant?”her mother asked, looking pained.

“This is what I want,” Elle said, matter-of-factly, embarrassed infront of Gia and disheartened for herself. This wasn’t like her parents. Not atall. Her coming out had apparently hit them harder than she had realized.

Her father forced a smile as the waiter removed his plate. “Wheredid you go to school?” he asked Gia, with a new level of scrutiny.

“High school?” Gia asked, thanking the waiter with a smile.