Nina Cox Must Date

Chapter 4 - Lunch

I slept more than I've worked in the last week. The days at the Fan Con left me exhausted. I made a report of the event sales and felt content about it. It will be worth repeating the experience next year.

I'm looking forward to Sunday lunch. My mom is an excellent cook and always finds ways to make the occasion special. We meet at my parents' house once a month to catch up and enjoy a meal together. It will also be great to see my nephews.

I park the car and notice that everyone has already arrived. There's also a brand new car that I don't recognize; it must belong to my sister. I open the door and am greeted by the mixed sounds of children playing, the TV, and voices chatting.

"Hey, Nina," my dad greets me from his comfortable chair.

"Hey. How is your foot doing?" I say, nodding toward his bandaged foot resting on the ottoman.

"Much better," he replies.

In the dining room, I spot Elijah with John holding his leg while Peter clings to his back in a chokehold. My brother is laughing, but it looks painful.

"I've learned my lesson. Those two are a menace," Dad chuckles.

Last weekend, while I was away, my parents babysat the boys. They took them to a miniature golf course, where Dad's foot was accidentally hit by John with a golf club.

"Bullshit. You would do it again," I tell my dad, making him laugh.

"Without a doubt," he agrees.

I head to the kitchen, and the boys spot the bag in my hand.

"What did you get us?" John asks excitedly.

"A bag of poop for each of you," I respond, watching their faces contort with disgust. "Actually, this is for your baby brother."

"Aw man, that's not fair! He is still in Mom's belly," John complains.

"Hey, I already got you presents," Lisa chimes in as she joins us.

"You got us clothes," Peter whines.

"Those were designer outfits," she retorts, sounding offended.

"Don't be ungrateful," Elijah chimes in. "Your aunties think of you two often. Those clothes were nice and expensive."

The boys roll their eyes as I hand the bag to my sister-in-law, Dotty. She gives me a tired smile; the poor thing is due soon.

"This is so adorable, Nina! Thank you so much!" Dotty exclaims, lifting the Batman onesie for everyone to see.

"They only buy clothes," I overhear John say as they head back to the living room. Little brat.

We all gather in the kitchen to help my mom and catch up on the latest news.

"Is the new car outside yours?" I ask my sister.

"It's my engagement present! Can you believe it? Benji got it for me," she replies.

"Is he joining us?" I ask, counting the place settings. There are seven in total, so we are missing one set if the boys are eating with us instead of in front of the TV.

"Unfortunately, no. The poor thing has to shoot a swimsuit special," Lisa says, looking a bit sad.

I head to the kitchen to bring the food to the table and see Dotty serving the boys' lunch on plastic plates. The doorbell rings, so I go to answer it. A pale guy is standing outside. He looks nervous and a bit lost.

"Can I help you?" I ask.

"Is this Mrs. Cox's house?" the young man replies.

"Yeah. Mom! It's for you!" I yell towards the kitchen.

My mom comes out and beams at the sight of him. "Oh, I see that you've met Axel," she says to me. "Come in; we are about to begin," she adds, holding him by the arm and escorting him to the dining table.

We all take our seats, and Axel sits next to me as instructed by my mom. I grab a serving spoon and pile my plate high with food. The rest of my family follows suit, but Axel doesn't take much. Maybe he's not a big eater like the rest of us.

As the conversation continues, I feel sorry for him. He hasn't said a word and keeps rubbing his hands on his pants.

"Hey, Axel, how do you know my mom?" I ask in a friendly tone.

"We work together at the farmer's market. I'm the assistant manager. Mrs. Cox told me to come by for lunch and that she has a single daughter. Is that you?" he asks, glancing at me with curiosity.

No way. No freaking way!

"Mom? Is there something you want to tell me?"

Mom offers me a sheepish smile, and the rest of the family turns their attention toward us.

"Well, Axel is fantastic to work with and is single. He's good-looking, and I thought that if you got to know him better, you might like him," she explains.

I don't know what my mom's idea of good-looking is, but the guy next to me looks like a piece of sweaty chalk.

"This needs to stop. I've tried. You all have already set me up with someone," I say, glancing around the table.

"Nina, I just think you don't try hard enough," Lisa argues. "All you do is spend your time surrounded by toys."

"That's not true! I also hang out with Taylor," I respond defensively.

"Whom you don't have feelings for. That's potentially a deal-breaker if you meet a guy," Elijah comments, serving himself another portion of food.

"What does Taylor have to do with this?"

"You can't expect a man to hang around you when your best friend is a guy," Elijah replies.

"Unbelievable! Dad, can you deal with this nonsense?" I demand.

"Well..." Dad says hesitantly.

"Well, what?"

"You all have a point. Your buddy Taylor is a good-looking man. Even though I have no objection to women being friends with men, he could be seen as a threat. I also think you should enjoy the world a bit more. You work hard and deserve some fun."

"What are you suggesting then?" I ask, now fearing the answer.

"You should date. Give it your best effort. If it doesn't work out, I'll make sure these three leave you in peace," Dad says, pointing with his fork at Mom and my siblings.

"That could take forever! There has to be a limit," I protest, noticing my voice is rising.

"Ten dates!" Lisa chimes in, looking far too excited for my taste.

"Nine! He counts as date number one," I say, pointing at Axel, who looks like he might pass out at any moment.

"Deal!" Lisa agrees.

Axel shifts uncomfortably in his seat. I feel sorry for him, but I need a way to get my family off my back about finding a man.

Now, where in the world am I going to find nine dates?