Things are awkward for the first few minutes. Dad makes a few jokes about the menu and Mom laughs like a schoolgirl. For once, she looks happy. "So," Dad says, smiling at Jeremiah. "Jeremiah, was
it?"
Jeremiah nods and says, "Yes, sir."
I'm nervous. This isn't how I imagined Jeremiah meeting my parentsâin fact, I never imagined it at allâbut if he's uncomfortable, it doesn't show. "Jeremiah has been training me," I explain as I pick up my own menu.
Dad looks surprised at him. "You're a personal trainer? You appear to be quite young."
Jeremiah places his hand on my thigh, just above my knee. "I inherited the gym from my father," he explains. "I've been in charge of it since he died."
Dad's gaze softens. He appears to be genuinely concerned. "That's awful. I'm deeply sorry for your
