“Thank you. That would be so much fun. I know she’d have a blast at a game.”
I felt a sense of relief. We had some things in common after all. I knew that helped Tom feel more comfortable with me.
We talked about our favorite highlights from the past season, the things we noticed that were strong points and weak points within the team, and how proud we were that they won the Super Bowl.
I knew this whole thing was supposed to be pretend, that Anna and I weren’t really dating, but I wanted it to be real. I wanted to be with Anna, and having her father approve of me was a great feeling.
We talked for a few more minutes and then went back into the living room. I looked around, noticing Margie and Anna weren’t anywhere in sight.
“They’re in the kitchen getting dessert ready,” Ally said, answering my unasked question.
“Thanks,” I said. I walked into the kitchen and asked, “Do you guys need any help?”
“No, Daddy. We got it,” Margie said and did a thumbs-up at me. Anna laughed.
“Will you take the plates to the table, please?” Anna asked.
“I guess he can do that,” Margie agreed. Anna and I both laughed this time. Sometimes, Margie could be so adult-like, and it was the funniest thing.
“I’ll do it. Let me know if there is anything else you need help with.”
“I will,” she said.
I loved that she wasn’t afraid to put me to work. Asking for my help made me feel more welcome in her home and in her life.
I grabbed the stack of plates she had placed on the counter and the pile of forks next to them and brought them over to the table. I put a plate and fork at each seat instead of just leaving them in the middle.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said. She and Margie were holding different desserts. Margie was carrying a tub of vanilla ice cream, and Anna was holding a pie. It looked homemade.
“That looks amazing. Did you make that?”
Anna nodded. “It’s my great-grandma Ethel’s famous apple cherry pie.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had or even heard of an ‘apple-cherry pie,’” I said.
“That’s the point,” she said with a wink. She placed the pie down in the center of the table and took the ice cream tub from Margie. She placed it beside the pie and said, “Thank you, Margie. Will you go get everyone and tell them dessert is ready?”
“Yes!” Margie said and ran off to the living room.
“No, running!” I yelled after her. I heard her feet slow down a bit, and I grinned.
“It’s fine,” Anna said.
I leaned into her and gave her a kiss.
“What was that for?” she asked with the most beautiful smile on her face.
“Just because,” I said, though there was more I wanted to say. I longed to tell her how I really felt, but I was too scared. I didn’t know how she felt about me, and I didn’t want to ruin anything by telling her too soon.
“Thank you,” she said and kissed me back lightly.
We sat down just as everyone came over to the table.
“Is this great-grandma Ethel’s pie?” Ally asked.
“Of course. I wouldn’t want any other one,” Anna said.
She cut a slice of pie for each of us, and Millie put a scoop of ice cream on each one. I went in to take a bite, not knowing what to expect since I had never tried a pie like this, and I was blown away by the flavors.