“Hell yeah. I haven’t worked my ass off in school not to use this double degree. I’m hoping to see it pay off here soon.”
He sighs heavily into the phone. “Oh, Cate, have some confidence in yourself. Of course it’s going to pay off. Take a look at yourself. You are a brilliant, talented, clever, woman. You have a very bright future ahead of you. You are going to dazzle your prospective employers, mark my words.”
His words make me glow inside. “Drew, you make me feel so good about myself.”
“You don’t need me to do that. Seriously, Cate. You’re the total package, if you would only see it for yourself.”
That night I tell Jenna about our conversation.
“You’re meeting his parents? At Thanksgiving?” Her sly grin tells me more than her words.
“What? What does that mean?”
“Drew McKnight isn’t one to take girls home to meet his parents, that’s what.”
“And how do you know that?”
Jenna gives me one of her looks and says, “I’m his best friend’s sister, remember? I know a lot more about Drew than you think I do.”
“Oh, yeah,” I say in a puny voice. “Shit. This is a major deal, right?”
“Oh, I’d say it’s a seriously major deal.” She grabs her phone and starts texting a message. A few minutes later she receives a response. Jenna grins as she hands the phone to me. It’s from Ben.
Ben: WTF! Drew is taking Cate to meet the P’s! How did I not know this????? Major shit going down at the McK’s crib.
“Oh no! Will I be on display or something?”
“Or something? Hell yeah. And you know his mom, right? Big Charleston society in all the major circles and all that. I’m talking money, Cate. Did I tell you?”
I’m going to fucking kill her. “No, you did not tell me. How the hell could you leave something like that out? What the hell is wrong with you?”
At least she has the courtesy to look chastised, though knowing Jenna, she doesn’t feel the least bit that way at all. Then she lets out a gurgle of laughter. “For all of Letty’s money and the circles she runs in, she adores Drew and is the sweetest woman you’ll ever meet. I promise you’ll love her and she’ll love you because you’re not one of those simpering bitches that always pants after her son.”
“Letty?”
“Mary Lettington Standford McKnight.”
“You’re joking. She’s one of those Standfords?”
“Yep,” Jenna says, with a satisfied smile. “Hence, Andrew Standford McKnight.”
“Jeez. Thanks for the warning.”
“I really do think the two of you will get along perfectly.”
“Well, did I tell you Drew started talking about having kids?”
That shut her up for a minute. Then she suddenly looks like the cat that swallowed the canary. “I knew you two were perfect for each other. You need an older guy. That’s why all the guys you were meeting weren’t getting your panties wet, but one date with Drew and BAM. You were so done. I think I hear wedding bells in your future.”
“Oh, miss fortune teller, let me fill you in on a little secret. I think I hear wedding bells in your future too.”
“Funny, Cate. But I’m serious. You have to admit it. He is perfect for you. What more could you ask for?”
I have no answer for her, because she is absolutely right.
“This is moving too fast, Jenna.”
“Okay, I can see why you might feel that way. But it’s not fast at all. You’ve been seeing each other for about two months now. And Cate, Drew isn’t some young dude that has no idea what he wants out of life. He’s got his shit together and is going places and so are you. But, don’t worry. You’re not going to do anything until you graduate, so sit back and enjoy the,” she clears her throat in an exaggerated manner, “ride.” Then she slaps her knee and howls with laughter.
“Don’t quit school. Your comedy routine needs work,” I say drolly.
Two weeks later, I find myself pacing in the foyer of my parents’ home. Drew should be here to meet my family any minute. My fifteen-year-old sister skips down the stairs and says, “Nervous about the new boyfriend? Catelyn’s boyfriend’s coming to visit.” She sings it loud in an obnoxious voice.
My mom yells from the kitchen, “Are you sure he doesn’t want any leftovers?”
“I don’t know Mom. You can ask him yourself.” She’s asked me this a dozen times already. Then my thirteen-year-old brother ambles in, looks at me, shrugs, and walks back out. His earbuds are in so he couldn’t give a crap about me or Drew.
“Do you think Drew would have time to chat with me about my family history of colon cancer?” my dad wants to know.
“No, Dad! He’s not here to discuss your health matters and he’s not your doctor.” We’ve been through this at least ten times today. This is going to be torture. Why did I agree to this? I should’ve just met him at his house.
A motion outside catches my eye and I look in the driveway to see him pull up. Should I open the door or wait for him to knock? I’ll meet him on the porch to warn him.