“What’s on your mind, son?” My dad asks as he takes a sip of his beer. “I can still read you like a book.”

“Yeah. Better than I know myself, right?”

“One of the perks of bringing you into this world.” He laughs before cutting into his salmon. “What’s up though?”

I rub my hands together and lean back in my chair. “I want to talk to you about something.”

“Is that why you invited me to your apartment for lunch instead of making us a reservation somewhere? I’ve never known you to cook.”

“Please, this is still takeout. I didn’t cook this.” I snort. “But I did want to talk in private which is why we aren’t at a restaurant.” I wasn’t sure how my Dad would react, and I figured it was better if I handled it behind closed doors in case things got tense.

He takes a bite before he leans back in his chair. “Well, spit it out.”

“Not something I can spit out but I will try.” I suddenly feel like I’m sixteen years old again and I’m preparing to tell my Dad I scratched his Jaguar. Or the time my high school girlfriend had a pregnancy scare and I was preparing to tell my parents. Thank God she got her period the day I’d planned to tell them. But both of those situations pale in comparison to this.

“So Dad, ummm,” I know I talked a big game to Gabrielle, that our parents would understand and that they love us, but the truth is I’m just as worried to tell them. Specifically, my Dad who adores Gabrielle and is very protective over her. Not the same way I’m protective over her but in the appropriate fatherly way. “I’m seeing someone.” I start with the easiest part. “It’s serious.”

“Well, that’s great news. Why did you seem so nervous to tell me that? I’m thrilled. And your mother as well. Are you planning to bring her home with you next weekend?”

“Well…” I wince. “Yes.”

“Splendid. Son, I am very happy for you. I was beginning to think you’d never settle down. My God if you were this nervous telling me, I can’t imagine how you told Gabrielle. I do hope she knows. If she does not, I do not want to be in the same state when she finds out.”

“Wait, what?” I laugh nervously. “What do you mean by that?”

“Oh come on, James. Gab thinks you’ve hung the moon and the stars and everything else. She’s very protective over you She was in a mood for weeks when she found out you were seeing someone in New York. I’m also kind of surprised she didn’t spill the beans to Monica and your mother if she knew.”