Ian's POV
The week had flown by in the blink of an eye. Work was surprisingly more social than usual, as my coworkers took a sudden interest in my love life. Marco, an older gentleman I work with, has saved me from their pestering questions on more than one occasion. I think he's becoming an actual friend outside of work. He's invited me to his home to meet his wife and kids. Apparently, they've been together since high school, going on almost 17 years together. Thinking of them together makes me imagine what life could have looked like had I gotten to stay with my Red.
It was now Sunday, and I was due to pick up Hailey in an hour. I decided to leave a little earlier and get a potted flower to bring to her dad's house. He'd asked about how to take care of flowers when we first met, so I assume he gardens. I decided on an orchid since I wasn't sure of his skills; perhaps they weren't that great. Which could be why he was asking me if I knew how to care for them. Maybe he was looking for some tips. I've heard orchids aren't too terribly hard to care for.
It didn't take long before I stood in front of Hailey's door with my heart racing, for no real reason other than the anxiety I felt about keeping this false pretense up around her entire family. I rang her doorbell, hearing it echo inside.
"Coming!" I heard her yell before she turned the knob and opened the door to reveal her smiling face. "Hello, fake boyfriend," she greeted me.
"Hello, fake girlfriend," I greeted back. Somehow, that small exchange had lightened my mood, helping me feel less nervous. Knowing Hailey would be by my side the entire time helped ease some of my anxiety.
"You're a bit early. Come in. I was just about to get ready." She gestured with her hand for me to enter, and I noticed her poorly bandaged finger. Without thinking, I grabbed her hand and inspected the injured index finger.
"What happened?" I asked, leading her towards the bathroom so I could fix this terrible first-aid job.
"I cut my finger pretty badly during one of my cooking lessons with Christin. She's teaching me how to julienne, which I guess I was not ready for." I could tell she found my actions amusing as the corner of her lips fought to stay serious.
"Did you do this?" I lifted her finger, pointing to the bandage.
"Yeah, Christin had already left to help my dad cook dinner for today. So, I was the only one here." She shrugged. "It's not that bad."
I scoffed at her comment as I cautiously undid her poor attempt. Her first-aid kit was out on her counter, so this had clearly just happened. I washed her hand, seeing the deep cut, but not deep enough to warrant a doctor's visit. She was watching me closely as I wrapped her finger carefully.
"There," I said, relinquishing her hand and finally meeting those brown eyes of hers.
"You forgot an important step," she said, holding her finger in front of my face.
"No, I didn't," I argued, having mentally run through the steps I had taken.
"Yes, you did. You're supposed to kiss it to make it better." She smirked playfully. Is she ever serious?
"I'm not kissing it," I said firmly.
"Oh, come on. Make it better, Ian," she said, wiggling her finger in front of me. She was kidding, I knew that, but it irked me that she assumed I wouldn't do it. So, I grabbed her hand, holding it steady and gently kissing the tip of her finger.
"All better," I said, smirking as I noted the blush on her cheeks. That red under her bronze skin was so beautiful.
"I was kidding," she stuttered out after a second.
"I know." I winked at her. "Now hurry up and get ready. I want to get there early."
"Okay, fake boyfriend. Don't make too great of an impression. I don't want to get hell when we break up," she air-quoted, making me chuckle.
"Oh, there's no helping that. They are going to love me." I trailed off as I left her room so she could get dressed privately, although I am sure she would have changed in front of me without a care.
A few minutes later, Hailey emerged, looking the most casual I'd seen her yet. I liked this look better than the elegant dress she wore to the charity event. She had on an oversized hoodie with black leggings and black fuzzy boots. She looked super comfortable, and I realized I may be overdressed with my baby blue button-up shirt and khaki slacks.
"Should I change to match?" I teased, causing her to giggle.
"No, you're perfect. Dad will love that you dressed up. Let's go."
When we got to the car, Hailey noticed the flower in the passenger seat. "Oooh, this is pretty. A new plant for your place?" she asked, placing it over her lap as she took a seat.
"No, it's for your dad," I answered her, pulling out onto the busy street.
"Seriously?" I could feel her staring at me as I drove. "Why?"
"Well, he was asking me if I knew how to take care of a flower the last time we spoke, so I thought maybe he did some gardening," I explained, feeling rather proud of myself until Hailey burst into a fit of laughter. She laughed for a while, and any time she would stop to say something, she would just start laughing again. She clutched her sides tightly as her eyes misted with tears amidst all the laughter.
"It hurts," she complained, as her muscles probably cramped from her enjoyment.
"What's so funny?" I asked her when she had finally calmed down. Through bursts of giggles, she began to explain.
"It was a metaphor, Ian." She started laughing again. "Maybe just leave the flower in the car."
I think I'm probably as red as Liv's hair right now. I feel like an idiot. Why didn't I realize that sooner? The flower was obviously meant to mean a woman. Did I know how to take care of a woman? is what her father had been asking. You're an idiot, Ian.
"Yeah, I guess I got a new plant for my apartment. Unless you want to keep it?" I asked her, really not needing another one. I know Mom is going to bring one with her when she visits again.
"You know? Orchids are actually my favorite." She stared down tenderly at the flower as she softly touched its petals. "It is beautiful, but so strong. Delicate, but not fragile."
"Kind of like you." I winked at her as I continued to drive us towards her father's place. She stayed quiet the rest of the car ride, humming along to the music on the radio as she stared out of the window. It wasn't until we got down that she finally spoke again. I'm not particularly fond of a silent Hailey. It was unsettling not knowing what was going through her head.
"Okay, so warning you now- it gets loud up there with all of us together. If you don't interrupt and speak up, you won't be heard, or by the time you do get a chance to talk, the conversation will have changed four times already," she said, as she headed for the door with me behind her. Before we stepped inside, she reached back, grabbing my hand. "One last thing, don't find yourself alone with dad. You clearly don't understand his questions," she jabbed at me, teasing me about my earlier misunderstanding.
"Hola, Papi!" she greeted her father, giving him a kiss on the cheek as she entered. "I brought Ian, as I said."
"Hello, sir." I shook his hand as we stepped in. "I'm sorry I come empty-handed, but put me to work and I'll get it done."
"Do you know how to cook?" he asked me.
"Not to your level, but yes, my mother has taught me well." I nodded.
"Good, come help us in the kitchen. Nena, go join your sisters. They are looking at old pictures again," he instructed, already separating us from one another. I swallowed hard, feeling wholly unprepared.
"Ay, no, Papi. I am not letting you interrogate him without me present! I've already seen all those pictures a million times over." Yes, thank you, Hailey!
"Nena," her father said, using a more stern voice.
"Don't Nena, me. I am coming, too." Hailey crossed her arms unphased by his stare down. She arched a brow at him, to which he finally caved.
"Fine, but you're cooking, too, then."
"Ha! Okay, but don't blame me if the food tastes horrible after," she laughed as she led the way to the kitchen. I followed last, allowing Mr. Medina to show me where he wanted me and what he wanted me to do.
"Christin, show him how to make las papas rellenas."
"Si, tío." Christin gestured for me to come over with a flick of her head. "Have you ever stuffed potatoes before?" She asked, grabbing a wad of what looked like mashed potatoes and stuffing it with meat before dipping and rolling it in what I think were bread crumbs.
"Um, no, but I've stuffed manicotti," I answered, shrugging my shoulders. "I think I can handle this."
The next few minutes were spent with Christin, giving me tips and correcting me when I did something wrong. Eventually, she left me to help Mr. Medina while I continued to try not to make a mess of things. Hailey had started music, and everyone was signing along. Hailey danced around me, singing in my ear at times as she goofed around, easing any and all pressure. She was giggling when she suddenly stopped in her tracks. In my curiosity, I turned to see what caused her to quit being such a goof. The man her father had bought for her during the auction stood leaning against the doorway of the kitchen.
"Don't stop on my account," he said, smirking at her in a flirtatious manner that instantly irked me.
"Hey, Hails, will you play Volare by Gipsy Kings and come here so I can be a goof alongside you?" I asked her, having her turn to face me with a curious look. She did as I asked as I washed my hands. The second the song began to play, I pulled her along with me and danced with her semi-professionally, but in a slightly goofy way, so it didn't look like I was just trying to show off. I sang stupidly, and she giggled before she joined in.
"Hey, Juan, you're the chef. Why don't you make las papas rellenas? I'll take Ian to meet my sisters. Thanks!" She didn't give him a chance to answer as she dragged me out of the kitchen, just as the song ended. "Out of the frying pan and into the fire, are you ready?"
Her father wasn't the fire?