"Hunt. I know what my mom said but you're not coming with me."

"Don't make me call her." He said crossing his arms.

"Please do." I scoffed sarcastically.

Hunter grabbed my phone before I could react, "Still haven't changed your password, sweetheart?"

"Hunter. Give it back."

He held the phone to his ear and my mom answered almost instantly.

"Good morning Ms Anderson. I was just wondering if you could speak to Emilia to confirm the plans."

My mom answered but I couldn't hear and soon enough I was speaking to my mom.

"Mom. I've told you this before. Hunter is not my boyfriend."

"I still want to meet who you're living with." Her voice came through the phone.

"So you bring him to me or you move in with your father and Jade."

"Yes ma'am." I replied straight away.

"Good. I'll see you. Drive safely. Love you lots."

"Love you more." I put down the phone and stared and Hunter, "For that, you are driving."

"Great! You ready?"

I shut my eyes for a moment. Hunter was getting on my nerves today then slowly walked towards the door.

"You don't try any shit at my house, you understand me?"

Hunt looked taken aback by my sharp tone, "Of course."

"Thank you." I sighed dragging my hand down my face.

"Sweetheart?" Hunter spoke once we were in the lift, "I'm sorry."

"For what?" I stared at the numbers on the walls.

"I shouldn't have just come with without asking you first. It was wrong of me. And to act so immature back there."

I looked at Hunt for the first time, "It's fine. Just try behave when we're there. And not just at my house. You're gonna see my other friends too."

"Will I see that guy that you have so many pictures of saved on your laptop?"

"Probably."

"No more than that? No name or how you know him?"

"You can ask him when you see him."

"Gosh. I think you need to be fed, sweetheart. Hangry?"

I nodded, "That would make sense."

"We can stop for a quick breakfast."

"Thanks Hunt." I said smiling.

He nodded and swung our bags into his boot.

-

"Mom?" I called into my house. Hunter was still standing outside so I gestured for him to follow.

"Nice house." He said looking around.

"Thank you." Another voice entered the room.

"Mom." She gave me a hug and then turned to Hunter, "Hunter this is my mom. Mom this is Hunter Maddox."

"A pleasure meeting you ma'am." Hunter held out his hand for her to shake but she pulled him in for a hug. His eyes widened as he looked at me over her shoulder.

"Please dear, call me Mel."

"I'm busying making supper. Em will you please set the table."

"Can I do anything to help?" Hunter offered.

"That's ok - " Mom started.

"You can bring our bags in?"

"Emilia, that is not how you speak to a guest. Dear, you can just sit here. Would you like anything to drink?"

"I'm fine thanks ma'am." My mom stared at him, "Sorry...Mel." She nodded and headed towards the kitchen but then slowly turned around.

"Emilia. What's that on your neck?"

I reached up to touch the dark bruise on my neck, "I... Umm..." I had tried hiding it behind my jacket's collar.

Hunter was trying his best not to laugh, "It was my fault Mel."

My mom's eyes widened.

"Not like that," Hunter laughed, "I had to withdraw blood for a project of mine from a patient's neck and Em was the easiest to use since we live together and I have to draw it twice more. Unfortunately, I'm still getting used to withdrawing blood."

"Are you a doctor?"

"I'm a biology major. We're comparing women and men's blood."

"So Em's dad teaches you?"

"Yes ma'am."

She stared and then left towards the kitchen again, "I don't have a reason not to trust you. Don't give me one."

"That was close." I whispered. Hunter laughed and sat down.

I watched him sit awkwardly on the couch as I set the table. He was looking around him looking like he was lost and only after a long time did he speak.

"Sweetheart, please can I do something?"

I laughed, "I'm done here so let's go get our bags." I popped my head into the kitchen as we headed for the car, "Mom! Which room must Hunter put his bags in?"

"Do you wanna sleep in Jaimie's room and then he can take yours?"

I took a deep breath, "Okay."

She put down what she was doing and gave me a hug, "I love you. And Hunter seems great, Em. I wouldn't mind if you two dated."

I held her by her shoulders and smiled, "Well that was unexpected. But no mom."

"Darling, a mother can tell when her daughter likes someone, so stop fighting against it." She laughed.

"I said the exact same thing." Hunter's head appeared in the doorway.

"Hunter..." I groaned. My mom smiled between us, "Stop mom. We're putting our bags down."

"Be quick. Food's ready."

"Ai ai captain." I saluted and headed towards the bedrooms.

"This one's yours and that one is mine." I said pointing towards where I'd be sleeping, "Now come on. I'm hungry." I skipped down the stairs.

-

I moaned after taking my first bite, "I miss home cooked meals."

"Me too." Hunter smiled.

"Is Em not making food?" My mom asked.

"We both do," I said, "It just doesn't taste like this."

"Or looks like it. It sometimes... usually... burns." Hunter joked. I knew he was also talking about the waffles.

"Has Em not baked for you yet Hunter?"

"She bakes?" Hunter looked at me curiously.

"Emilia Anderson, you are not leaving this house until you bake something for this poor boy."

"Mom... That was a secret."

"Well now it's not." Hunter laughed at my mom's response.

We ate while my mom got to know Hunter better. And then the topic changed to our relationship.

"You took her for a picnic in the park? That's very special. I remember my first date. Your father took me to his sister's wedding."

"Surprised it didn't scare you off." Hunter laughed, "I pretty much scared Em when we got in the car."

I stared at Hunter and then it was silent for a moment before my mom spoke again.

"I know this is none of my business and Em already denied it but Em's sister was born when I was reasonably young, so I was just wondering what you think about premarital sex?"

I choked on the air, "Hunter, you don't have to answer that."

"That's ok, Em. Well, she was telling the truth, we aren't friends with benefits and honestly, Em and I aren't in a relationship, so we haven't discussed it yet. But if I must answer that now, I would say that it's the couple's choice."

My mom looked taken aback, "Well, I've definitely never gotten that answer before but thank you for being so honest with me Hunter, I appreciate it."

"Thanks for dinner, mom. I'll clean up. You can go take an early night."

"No shenanigans you two." She laughed as she climbed the stairs.

"I am so sorry for that, Hunt." I said when I heard her bedroom door close.

He shrugged, "Doesn't bother me."

"Interesting answer by the way." I said clearing the table.

He shrugged again, "Just telling the truth, sweetheart."

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