Once in a Lifetime by Sam Crescent Page A

works.”
    He was dressed in jeans and a plain white t-shirt. They were visiting his parents, and his mom was cooking a large Sunday roast with meat and the trimmings. His stomach rumbled as he imagined how it would taste.
    Getting up from his seat he walked into her bedroom and went straight for her wardrobe. Going through the clothes he pulled out a pair of black jeans and a purple shirt. He loved the color purple on her, and it reminded him of the dress she’d worn on her date with Andrew. The date he’d interrupted and gotten her to go with him to his amusements place would stay with him forever.
    “Put these on,” he said, handing them to her.
    “I can’t wear these. I’m going to dinner to meet your parents.”
    “Yeah, we’re going to eat a big Sunday lunch. Afterwards all you’re going to want to do is cuddle up against me. Trust me, Em, there’s no need for you to dress up.”  He dropped a kiss to her lips. “I’ll wait out there. Don’t be long, or I’ll come back and dress you for me.”
    He left her alone and paced her apartment.
    Tell her how you feel.
    Running fingers through his hair, Guy felt the pressure of his feelings weighing down on him. There was nothing for him to do to stop what he was feeling. He didn’t want to mess it up, but he also didn’t want to go too long without her knowing the truth.
    If she thinks this is just sex then you risk her leaving you for another man offering her longer.
    “It should be easy just tell her the truth.” He muttered the words to himself.
    “How do I look?” Emily asked.
    Turning around he saw her standing, running her hands down her stomach.
    “You look beautiful.” It wouldn’t matter to him what she wore. She was beautiful regardless of everything else.
    “Are you sure I should be wearing jeans to meet your parents?”
    He pulled her into his arms. “You look perfect, Em. If you want you can tell them I made you wear jeans.”
    “I might hold you to that.”
    Guy opened his mouth ready to tell her how he felt, and suddenly he felt choked on fear.
    “What is it? What’s the matter?” she asked.
    “Nothing. Come on, let’s go and meet the family.” He left the words running through his mind, hating himself for being a coward.
    ****
    Climbing out of the car Emily wondered what was going on inside Guy’s head. He’d barely spoken on the way to his parents, and now they were here. She had hoped he would talk her through everything or at the very least tell her their names.
    A woman with graying hair walked out of the house, followed by a man who looked like an older version of Guy.
    “Honey, I was wondering when you were going to turn up,” the woman said, walking down the steps.
    Keeping her distance Emily felt her nerves growing.
    Both of his parents pulled him in for a tight embrace. She was reminded of her own parents hugging her when she went to see them after a break.
    “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Emily.”
    “Son, if I know you then you’ve forgotten to tell her our names,” his father said.
    Smiling at them, she tucked some hair behind her ear. “You’re not mistaken, Mr. Jensen.”
    “I’m Delia, and this is my husband, Jack.” The older woman rushed toward her and pulled her into a hug. “Come on, honey. We’ve got lots to talk about.”
    Before she could stop Delia, Emily was being led into the house with the man walking up behind her. Glancing back she saw Guy was smiling. She was taken into the kitchen. The men didn’t follow them.
    “Take a seat, dear.” A drink was placed in front of her. “Do you take sugar?”
    “No, thank you.” She covered the drink not knowing what to do.
    “So, honey, how long have you known my son?”
    Here were the hard questions.
    “A little over a month,” Emily said. Looking at Delia, she waited for the other woman to tell her something she wasn’t going to like.
    “Only a month and he brought you here to see me.” Delia sounded really happy at that.
    “I, erm,