“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.

I run outside, straight into his arms.

“Hey,” he catches me before I have a chance to blurt anything out, and presses a light kiss to my lips.

“Oh, I missed you,” I say instead.

“I like that greeting.”

He looks like sunshine on this gloomy day and I’ve never been happier to see anyone before. I want to cling to him and never let him go, but I can’t because I’m sure we have an audience.

“Listen, my family is insane.”

He laughs.

“No, I’m serious. I just came out to give you a quick warning.”

“I see. Well, let’s go meet the insane Forbes family then.” He winks and we enter the den of craziness.

My family stands in the foyer like a troop of soldiers, ready for inspection.

“Mom, Dad, this is Drew McKnight. Drew, my parents, Bob and Lydia Forbes, and my brother and sister, Shannon and Eric.”

Greetings are exchanged, but my sister appears to be drooling over him. She stands there, mouth open, dreamy eyed, not speaking a word. This is not her usual style.

“Shannon, you can go now,” I tell her. She doesn’t move. “Shannon?” Finally, I spin her around and push her in the direction of the kitchen. My mom asks Drew about five times if he wants any leftover Thanksgiving food. I want to scream, “NO, MOM, HE DOESN’T.” But I don’t think it will do any good. And at last, the coup de grace is my dad asking Drew about his opinion on digital rectal exams in colon cancer screening. REALLY DAD?

“And on that note, I think it’s time Drew and I head on over to his place. Are you ready Drew?” I’m quite sure my face is the color of the cranberries my mom served at dinner and my expression must look like a clown’s. I need to get the hell out of here.

I usher Drew out so fast it looks like we’re on skates. I literally dive into his car, not giving him a chance to open the door for me. When he gets into the driver’s seat, he’s shaking with laughter.

“That was some kind of exit you made.”

“Are you kidding me? I had to get out of there. I am so mortified by my dad!”

He only laughs. “Don’t worry about it. You wouldn’t believe the questions I get asked by patients. That was nothing. And he has a concern due to family history.”

I bury my face in my hands. “I don’t care! I told him not to do that to you.” My voice is muffled.

“Babe, it’s fine.” He tugs the back of my hair so I’m forced to face him. The corner of his mouth turns up and his eyes dance with mirth. “I thought your mom was the funniest, trying to get me to eat. Do I look like I’m starving?”

“No.” I bust out laughing. “But you put my sister in a boy-coma. I’ve never seen her shut up like that before. I may have to borrow you on occasion.”

“Anytime,” he purrs.

Then it hits me. I flash him a quirky grin and say, “You called me babe.”

“I did. Is it against the rules?”

“No. It’s just you’ve never called me that before.”

“It’s not a term I’ve ever used in the past. But when I think of you, sweet honey comes to mind, too.”

“Isn’t that a bit repetitive?”

“No, because honey isn’t sweet enough to describe you.” His gaze grabs mine and drills into me. It’s intense and heated and I grab his face and plant my lips on his.

“Cate, I could sit in your driveway and make out with you all evening, but I’m afraid we’d have a captive audience and my mother would never forgive me.”

Glancing up, I see four pairs of eyes peeking through the blinds. What the actual fuck!

“Oh gawd! Let’s go!”

He’s chuckling as he backs out of the driveway. On the way to his house I ask him to fill me in on his parents. He doesn’t give me near the information that Jenna did.

“My dad is a doctor, too. But he didn’t want me to go into medicine. He thinks it’s a thankless profession for the most part—too many hours spent away from the family. And in retrospect, I suppose he’s right because in his day, things were different than they are now. I won’t say you don’t work your ass off, but they have hospitalists who handle inpatient services, unlike in his day, so call is a lot better.”

We pull into their driveway and, of course, their house is lovely. It’s not extravagant, but it’s beautiful. His parents greet us at the door. Jenna was right. Letty is very warm and gracious and I’m instantly drawn to her. Drew’s father, Ray, is quiet, taciturn. I get the feeling he’s not impressed with me. Drew must get his outgoing personality from his mother. Letty steers us into the den, which is a warm and cozy room, lit with a fire, and offers to get us drinks. Drew pulls me onto the loveseat next to him while his dad wanders off to get us each a glass of wine.

“So Drew has talked about nothing but you, Cate. He tells us you’re at his alma mater right now and that you’re a junior.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m studying accounting and journalism.”

“You must be very busy,” she says.

Understatement, I think. “I am and I’m looking forward to Christmas break.”

About that time, Ray returns with our wine and I thank him. Drew gets his looks from his father because Ray is very handsome, but he gets his beautiful eyes from his mother.

“So Cate, do you expect to have a difficult exam period?” Letty asks.

Ray sits and stares. It’s a bit disconcerting, but Drew picks up my free hand and brings it to his lips. It surprises me how affectionate he is with me in front of his parents.

“Cate will be very busy. She works her ass off, Mom.”

I turn to Drew, pretty shocked that he said that in front of his parents.

“Well, son, after she’s finished, you’ll need to spoil her then. She’ll deserve a break.” I’m surprised to hear Ray say that.

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” I say.

Letty leans toward me and says, “Cate, honey, let me give you a little piece of advice. When a man says they want to spoil you, don’t you ever refuse it, you hear me?” And she winks.

I laugh and say, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Mom, don’t worry. I plan on spoiling this one a lot. And I mean a lot.” Then he kisses my cheek.