Marisol's POV- April 2018

It was technically none of my business, but at the same time, I was the reason Cody was not talking to his mom. Last night, after Cody's breakdown, while he was asleep I unlocked his phone with his thumbprint and got his mom's phone number. He had mentioned his mom was in town at the moment for her birthday. I got to campus early today, so after I got my coffee I called his mom. Yes, I actually called his mom and well...I think I got through her. Sure she hung up on me, but I decided to leave her a voicemaile. Guess I did a good job because she called me back. We talked on the phone for a bit, and I informed her what was going on with her son. It was then that we agreed to meet after Cody's game for dinner. She wanted to formally meet me, and I was gonna give her that wish.

"Don't look" I warned as I adjusted the strap of my dress.

Cody laughed.

"Marisol, you put an eye mask on me. I literally cannot see anything"

"I wanted to make sure," I told him.

I looked at him through the rear view mirror to see there was a genuine smile on his face.

"So where are we going?"

"To dinner" I answered.

"Like a date?"

"No, we're meeting someone up" I replied.

"Darn"

I smiled.

"Perhaps next time," I told him.

"Wait, really?"

"Yeah" I confirmed.

"What about Wednesday?"

"I've got to be up early on Thursday" I responded.

"We can have dinner at your place?"

I smiled.

"I'll think about it," I told him.

"It's all I ask"

I reached for my heels and quickly slipped them on.

"Okay, you can take off the mask" I replied.

He did and turned around to look at me.

"I did not think it was possible for you to look even more beautiful"

I chose to ignore him and got out of the car. As he got out, I grabbed my purse and made sure the gift I had for Jennifer was in there.

"Let me fix your shirt," I said.

He let me fix the collar of his shirt and smiled as I 'checked him out' in order to see if he was nicely dressed.

"Do I look okay?"

"You look, great" I answered.

I took a hold of his hand and began walking towards the entrance. He noticed his mom pretty quick and stopped walking.

"What's going on?"

"You're going to talk to your mom" I replied.

He frowned.

"Do I have a choice?"

"No really" I truthfully answered.

I tugged on his hand and led him inside.

"I'm fully capable of defending myself," I told him.

He pursed his lips and nodded.

"Fine"

We quickly found Jennifer Bellinger seated alone. Guess we were having dinner with only her.

"Hi mom"

The smile grew on her face as she looked at Cody.

"Cody, it's so nice to see you. Give me a hug"

She stood up and I watched as they embraced.

"Happy Birthday, mom"

She lightly scruffed his cheek and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you, honey"

She offered me a smile when she let go of him.

"We started off on the wrong foot, I'm Jennifer"

I shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Jennifer, I'm Marisol" I greeted.

She looked at me for a bit, before slowly nodding.

"You're a beautiful girl Marisol. I can see why Cody is infatuated with you"

Cody's cheeks flushed.

"I hope you two don't mind, dad and Ashli stayed at the hotel because I wanted to get to know Marisol first"

Cody's jaw tightened as he nodded.

"Of course"

We took a seat, and I pulled out a small gift I got for her from my purse.

"Marisol got you a gift"

Jennifer looked at me.

"Oh, thank you"

"You mentioned it was your birthday, and I remember Cody telling me that you liked to try different types of teas," I said as I pulled out the box from my purse.

She smiled as she took the box. While she unwrapped it, Cody placed his hand on my knee.

"This is so cute and waste-free"

She looked at me.

"Thank you, Marisol"

There was no need for the actual tea bag. It was a waste of packaging.

"So Marisol, tell me about yourself"

"What do you want to know?" I questioned.

It was obvious she had a mindset about me, and I loved proving people wrong.

"Are you working?"

"I'm a student" I answered.

"What are you majoring in?"

I was used to correcting people by now. Most people assumed I was younger than I actually was.

"I graduated last Spring from Cal Poly Pomona with my degree in Animal Science" I informed her.

She looked at me for a second.

"So you're a Graduate student"

"I'm in Veterinarian School" I corrected.

She did not see that coming because her eyebrows raised a bit earning a smile from Cody.

"I actually go to Western University" I disclosed.

"How far are you in school?"

"I'm halfway through my second year" I answered.

"If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"

"I'm 23" I replied.

She nodded.

"You look younger"

That I did.

"Have you always wanted to be a Veterinarian?"

"Yeah, I was always around all types of animals growing up" I answered.

Uncle Andrew always fostered animals, and I used to help him catch the stray cats in the neighborhood. He'd spay/neuter them and then release them back once they were healed. When he retired, dad began feeding the strays. Uncle Andy actually built a waterproof home that was moved to our backyard after he moved to the rehab place. The new rents did not like the cats, and too be honest no one really liked the new rents.

"So one of your parents is a Veterinarian?"

I shook my head.

"My uncle who just recently retired worked as a veterinarian for about 30 years" I responded.

"And your parents?"

Cody cleared his throat.

"You don't need to answer that"

Here's the thing, I never told Cody anything about my mom. My guess is Desi told Chris who told Cody.

"It's okay" I assured Cody.

He shook his head and covered his face with one of his hands.

"My mom actually passed away when I was 8 years old, but she was a Pediatrician" I answered.

Her eyes widened.

"I am so sorry I asked"

I shook my head.

"It's okay" I assured her.

"Her dad is a part of SWAT"

"Cody mentioned his dad is a volunteer firefighter," I said deflecting the statement Cody had said.

She nodded.

"Yeah, he's been a firefighter for a handful of years"

It certainly paid well.

"Did you ever play a sport?"

"I actually played collegiate soccer, and competed in ballroom competitions" I replied.

"Division I?"

I shook my head.

"No, the Division I schools that scouted me didn't want the major I wanted to study" I stated.

It was kind of a no-brainer to choose academics over athletics.

"I also chose to stay local to stay close to my dad" I admitted.

"Your father never remarried?"

"No, work has kept him quite busy" I answered.

I would not mind if dad started dating.

"So what exactly are you two?"

"We're just friends" I replied.

Cody decided to add his two cents.

"For the moment"

Jennifer nodded.

"Would you be willing to take time off school for Cody?"

Lol, no.

"Cody is aware that school comes before him" I answered.

She looked at Cody who shrugged.

"You always said you wanted an educated young lady for me"

Jennifer seemed to ignore her son's statement.

"Has your father met Cody?"

"He briefly met him" I responded.

"Does she know Cody stood you up?"

He was going to find out, tonight actually.

"We're actually talking about that tonight" I disclosed.

Cody's eyes widened.

"My dad and I are close, so I'll make sure to tell him everything" I stated.

"Won't that affect your chances with Cody?"

No.

"I don't think so, my dad is not one to judge people until he actually gets to know them," I said.

Shots fired.

"We should call a waiter, I'm starving"

I looked at Cody who was trying his best not to smile.