Unmasking Charlotte (a Taboo Love series) (20 page)

Chapter Nine

Charlotte

Now that Calvin and I have been going out for
a little over three months, my parents have insisted that they meet him. More like my dad insisted, and I can never say no to him. So they have invited us over for dinner. I told them it has to be a weekday, since the busiest times at the club are the weekends and Calvin needs to be there, so they chose today – a Thursday.

I’m a little nervous about this dinner. I don’t want my parents to do or say anything to embarrass me; plus, my brother, Tommy, is home from college this week and I know he would love to embarrass me in front of Calvin.

I decide to wear my favorite blue wrap around dress. Not only is it super comfortable, but it is flattering for my figure. And I am not feeling my best today, so comfort is key.

Ever since our first date, Calvin refuses to drive in my car. So we take his Range Rover to my parents’ house. I glance over at him and he looks calm, cool, and collected - one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the center console. How can he not be nervous? I mean, he’s meeting my parents; this is a big step in any relationship. I feel like I am going throw up. Actually, I have been feeling like that all day. I hope I am not coming down with the flu. That would suck.

“Is your dad into any sports?” Calvin asks, breaking the silence.

“Uh, yeah, he’s into basketball and football,” I reply.

“Jets fan? Knicks?”

“Shit, hell if I know. Are those New York teams?”

Calvin starts to laugh at my lack of sports knowledge, but I laugh right along with him.

Whatever. It’s not like he knows the difference between Prada or Chanel. He doesn’t ask any
more sports related questions, and without that distraction, my nerves begin to flare again. He must notice because he reaches across the console and grabs my sweaty hand, intertwining our fingers. I love how that looks. The stark difference of his black weaving between my white – just like a yin yang. He pulls our hand to his mouth and places a gentle kiss on each of my fingers. I melt. I have completely fallen for this man, and he keeps proving why time and again.

He starts another conversation and I am grateful for the diversion. “So, how is the bachelorette party planning coming along?”

I pep up a little, and swivel to face him, excited to talk to him about this. I may even speak a little quickly. Calvin tells me I have a tendency to do that when I am excited about something. But he thinks it’s cute, so it’s okay. I smile to myself at that thought.

“Okay, well, the details are completely hush hush. I want Delilah to be completely surprised, but I may have to rethink things. She kinda threw a wrench into my plans,” I say animatedly, with a mock frown.

Calvin laughs at my enthusiasm but appears to be listening attentively. “How so, Pinks?”

I smile shyly at my new nickname. “I like when you call me Pinky, but I think I like that even better.” This time it’s my turn to pull his hand to my mouth and give it a kiss.

He briefly takes his eyes off the road to look at me and when our eyes lock, no words need to be exchanged. We haven’t said
those
words to each other, but I know for sure that I love him. I am almost positive that he loves me as well.

“Get this…Nick and Delilah have decided that they want to have a joint bachelor/ bachelorette party! What kind of crap is that? Those two can’t be apart for more than an hour without having withdrawal symptoms.” I laugh, shaking my head at the lovebirds.

Calvin lets out a hiss, shaking his head as well. “Those two are crazy. But that should make things easier for you, no? Just plan a big party. You can do it at Club M if you want.”

“Really? You wouldn’t mind closing down for a few hours?

“Nah, I love those two. They are like family,” he responds. I smile at the affection he has for Nick and Delilah. That girl is my world and it makes me happy knowing that she has all of these people in her life that love her. I wish I could say the same. This damn mask.

I shake my head and the somber thoughts running through it.
Stop being such a girl!

“And you’re okay with whomever I invite?” I ask playfully.

Calvin taps his finger on his chin, pretending to take a minute to think. “I don’t know what you are up to, baby girl, and I’m not sure I really want to. So do what you need to do, but leave me out of it. Just tell me when you want it and the club is yours.” He is so wonderful. How did I get so lucky?

Not more than two minutes later, we pull in to my parents’ house. Tommy’s old beat up BMW is already in the driveway. That kid needs a new car.

Calvin

“Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, pleasure to meet you.” I extend my hand and first shake Charlotte’s father’s hand. As I extend it again to her mother, she grabs my elbow and pulls me close.

“Oh, pish posh with the hand shaking. You hug me when you walk into my home,” she says with a smile, as I lean down and give her a hug. She is tiny. I mean tiny. I don’t think she even hits five feet. Charlotte mus
t have gotten her height from her biological father.

“Thank you for the warm welcome,” I say smiling and hand her the bouquet of flowers I brought. I made sure to pick up a variety of lilies - her favorite according to Charlotte. “Oh, and, for you, Mr. Fisher…my favorite bottle of Cognac, Remy Martin. Maybe we can enjoy a glass after dinner.”

He nods his head. “Thank you, son,” Mr. Fisher responds with a smile, clearly appreciative. The smile on his face tells me that he knows that I just gifted him with a top notch Cognac. Score!

“Please, Calvin, call us Bron and Gwen,” her mother says.

She loops her arm through mine and pulls me toward the living room. Bron wraps his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders and they are following close behind. He is whispering something in her ear and it must be making her happy because the smile that she is wearing is breathtaking. I see her giggle and slap him on the shoulder, and then Bron lets out a hearty laugh. I can’t help but smile. Damn, I love that girl. Well, shit.

Gwen pulls me down by my sleeve so that she can whisper in my ear. “They have a special bond, those two,” she says smiling, as she watches them, looking like a proud mama.

When we reach the living room, I notice an attractive biracial man in his twenties, sitting and texting. Must be Tommy. Gwen clears her throat to get his attention.

He looks up and beams. You can tell that he has a genuine love for his parents, and especially Charlotte. “Hey, big sis!” he shouts, and I look to Charlotte.

She detaches from her father and runs full force into Tommy’s arms. “Hey, Tommy boy,” she answers and gives him a kiss on the cheek. If I didn’t know that he was her brother, I would be a jealous man simply by the way they look at each other.

Gwen grabs my arm again, but this time I lean down on my own. She whispers in my ear a
gain, “an even tighter bond…” I nod my head in understanding.

When I look back at Charlotte, I see her backing away from Tommy holding her nose. What the hell?

“What is that smell?” she asks, then leans back in and takes a whiff. “You stink!” she shouts.

“What are you talking about, I do not!” he responds, sniffing his own armpits.

“Is that cologne?” Charlotte asks, scrunching up her nose.

Tommy’s face turns bright red as he shrugs. “The ladies like it,” he says quietly.

“Well, you need to find a better smelling one.” She giggles.

Tommy grabs her head and shoves it his armpit, then pretends to give her a noogie.

“Alright children,” Gwen claps a few times. “Go wash up, dinner is ready.”