Page 101 of By Invitation Only

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Booker

Ihadn’t seen my parents in almost a year. I wanted to see them more often, but this whole partner business had been running its course my entire career. Therefore, I saw them when the office was closed for the holidays. One of these days I’d fly them out so they could experience a California summer. Dry heat that rarely got above thirty-two Celsius was the perfect weather, in my opinion, especially next to the Pacific Ocean.

As I drove up the ramp to enter LAX, Peyton was beside me, wringing her hands in her lap.

“Don’t be nervous.”

She looked over at me. “I’ve never met parents before.”

“They’re going to love you.”

“That’s what you said about Carrie.”

“And I was right.” I laughed. I’d finished work early, so I was able to pick them up. I planned to work from home when they were passed out from the long flight. No rest for the wicked, right?

“I guess, but I’m still nervous.”

I grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. “Tonight we’ll just have dinner. Then they’ll go to sleep, and you’ll go to work tomorrow. Really you only have the day after Christmas to spend the entire day with them. You’ll be fine.” My parents were getting in on a Wednesday, and both Peyton and I had to work the rest of the week. Both of our offices were closed from Christmas Eve until the second of January.

After waiting behind cars and people who didn’t know what the fuck they were doing, I pulled my Mercedes next to the curb where my mum and dad stood.

“Booker!” Mum cried and wrapped her arms around me when I stepped out of the car.

“Hey, mum. Have a good flight?” I kissed her cheek.

“It was nice. Fourteen hours is too long, though.”

I smiled, and then wrapped my arms around my father. “Carrie has dinner and drinks at our place waiting for you.”

“I could go for a beer right about now,” Father boomed.

Both my parents looked as though they could sleep for days. Their greying hair was mussed, their blue eyes lined with dark circles. A beer, food, and bed were definitely in their future.

I smiled and looked to my side to see Peyton standing near the passenger door. “Mum. Dad. This is my girlfriend, Peyton.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Peyton stuck her hand out.

I smiled as my mum looked down at her outreached arm and then drew Peyton in for a hug. “You’re even more beautiful than Booker described.”

My grin widened, and I started to put their bags into the boot of my car while they exchanged pleasantries. “We better go before we get shouted at,” I said, looking at the traffic guard as he eyed us chatting.

The three of them worked out who would sit where as I got into the driver’s seat. Peyton argued that one of them should take the front, but they declined, and Peyton returned to the passenger seat. Once we were out of the airport and onto the 405, I grabbed Peyton’s hand. She turned her head to me and smiled. Even though it was brief, I thought the meeting of my parents went brilliantly.

“So, Peyton,” my mum said from the back seat. “Booker tells me you’re an attorney too?”

Peyton turned her head to me sharply. She cleared her throat. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Helen is fine, dear.”

“And Piers is good for me,” Dad said.

“Okay, Helen and Piers,” Peyton agreed.

“Do you practice family law too?” Mum asked.

“I do.”