Accidental Encounter

Chapter Twenty-Two

"My mum already said it's okay." Her eyebrow raises, questioningly; a small smile pulling at her lips.

"You've already asked?"

"Maybe... I didn't know if you would want to or if you would be free, but I wanted to know if you could, in the event you do and can. Saves a bit of back and forth."

"Well, I'd love to come with you." She pauses, then asks, "Do your parents think we're just friends? Because it's been a minute since I did any acting, I might have to do a refresher course."

She manages to gain a small laugh from me.

"No, I told my mum you were 'the girl I'm seeing'. And no, I didn't mention your last name or your profession, so they should be in for a bit of a shock."

"Do you think they'll recognize me?"

"Oh, for sure! I used to have one of your posters up on my wall for at least three years. They know I'm a die-hard Lovatic."

My ears are blessed once again to hear her laugh.

"Is it still up? The poster I mean."

"Hopefully not, otherwise that's just a bit weird."

"If it is, I can autograph it for you, if you want." She winks, both of us start laughing.

"I think I'll be able to manage with just your company, but if I change my mind, I'll give you a call."

Just then, there's a knock at my bedroom door, followed by Hayden entering.

"Hey guys. How's everything going?"

I sit up, resting my back against the headboard. "Getting there. Listen Hay, I really appreciate you being here with me, but I know there is someone who might be missing you by now..."

A sly smile rises to the surface on my best-friends face, as well as a blush. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, really? Should we give Dylan a call and ask him about that?" As if a switch had been flipped, her expression changes to one of confusion.

"Dylan? I haven't really spoken to him in a while."

"Then who have you been sneaking out to see, when you think I'm asleep?"

"Uh- I..." She stutters.

"Hay, it's okay. You don't have to tell me if you aren't ready."

She smiles appreciatively, before standing up off the bed. "Well, I'll leave you two love birds alone."

"See you later," Demi says, then she appears to disappear into her own world.

"Are you okay?" I ask, after a few minutes.

She matches my gaze. "What if they don't like me?"

"Who?"

"Your parents."

I can't help the smile that follows. She's actually too cute; worrying about meeting my parents. "Babe, they are going to love you. For so many reasons, but most importantly because you make me happy."

"What if they don't?"

"First of all, I promise you they will, okay?" I hold out my little finger, to make a pinky promise with her. She links her finger with mine and smiles softly. "Secondly, if they don't then so what? It's not like their opinion is going to stop me from going after something that makes me happy. Those things are too hard to find, so when you spill a coffee over her, you have to hold on."

Her finger guides my chin closer to her, leading me into a kiss; soft but passionate, nonetheless. After a while, she releases me. "So, back to you being a die-hard Lovatic..."