“Well THAT went well," Mari said brightly.

I shook my head in mild disbelief.

“Well, I can think of a dozen times where I totally screwed up. And your father barely said a word! Now maybe girls like the strong, silent type, but for a prospective boyfriend, he's absolutely terrifying. I'm still convinced he’s gonna beat me to a pulp the next time he sees me."

“ReLAX," she assured me.

“If my dad didn't like you, do you really think I'd be sitting in the van right now with an overnight bag?"

“Good point. I think I should get the van started and get us out of here before your parents change their mind." I suited action to my words by turning the ignition and then pulling us away from the curb.

Once we were safely on the road though, neither of us immediately re-started the conversation. Mari was staring thoughtfully out the window, and I didn't feel like interrupting her. But after a few minutes of silence, she caught me looking at her and gave me a wan smile.

“Whatcha thinking?" I asked gently.

Mari shook her head slowly. "I was thinking that in a sense, I actually got my wish. We're official now as far as my parents are concerned, like really, really official. So technically, I get to still be your girlfriend beyond tomorrow."

I mused on that. "I suppose you're right."

She waved me off.

“But at the same time, we both know you're not really my boyfriend. Actually, you now have TWO official girlfriends who aren't really your girlfriends. After mine and Zofi‘s, maybe you should visit the rest of the BTC's parents too."

“No thank you." I shook my head although kept my focus on the road.

“Tonight was terrifying enough.”

"C'mon. It wasn't that bad, was it?"

I shrugged.

“Your mom's cooking was really good. And she's very... bubbly. And direct. She certainly knows what she wants and goes after it."

Mari chuckled. "She's certainly much more outgoing than me. I think I take after my dad in that respect."

I shook my head.

“You're a little of both of them. You can be shy and reserved around strangers, but Queen Mari from last night is a direct descendant of your mom."

Mari Laughed at that.

“I suppose. Of course, reminding me about Queen

Mari reminds me of something else."

“Oh, what's that?"

Mari glanced over at me, her eyes glittering. It was quite fortunate that we came to a stoplight just then, because what she said next would've made me crash.