Tina's mom reheated some manicotti and fixed a fresh garden salad.

Tina's dad handled the grilling.

“So how long have you two known each other?” He stared at me.

“It feels like a lot longer that it's actually been” Tina laughed. “It's really just been over a month, but it's like we've known each other forever. Sometimes someone comes along and you really click.... you know?”

Tina's mom nodded smiling. Her father almost hid his grimace.

“You met at work.” He said dryly.

I shook my head. “Oh no. We met before Tina started at the coffee shop. We …..uh...” I had walked full-speed into a corner. I seriously doubted Tina wanted to share with her mom and dad the 'lucky top' encounter. Thankfully, I was rescued by Tina's interruption.

“We bumped into each other at a local ….restaurant.” She blurted. “Chloe rescued me from a bunch of jocks....”

“The bod squad” I smirked.

Tina snorted and nodded.

“Bunch of blowhards.” I muttered. Tina lost it, knowing my true meaning and went red in a fit of giggles.

Her parents gave us a puzzled look. I tried not to catch Tina's contagious laughing, and mostly succeeded.
Tina waved dismissively as she tried to compose herself.

“There's a longer, ...funnier, story there. And I'll tell it when there's time....” Tina smiled, then quietly added “..and some distance.”
Her mom nodded with a small, knowing smile. Her dad scowled.

“So you knew each other before....?” He let the question hang. We both nodded.

“And then the opportunity to move in together came up and we seized it.” Tina beamed.

“It was a great opportunity for both of us.” I interjected. “Tina is SUCH an improvement over my previous roommates.” I gushed.

Tina gave me a warm smile and hand squeeze. Her father caught that and I saw his brow begin to rise before he caught and stifled it.
Tina seemed oblivious to this fleeting interaction. Maybe that was for the best. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in her father's gun-sight.
Tina's mom interrupted the awkward moment.

“Chrissy. Becky Lundquist called and wondered if you were coming back for the wedding. She wants you to call her.”

I mouthed 'Chrissy?' to Tina, who jut rolled her eyes with a slight smile/grimace.

“Thanks mom.” Tina smiled politely. We seemed to be off the inquisition of Tina's roomie, which seemed much more ominous than the chat with Zoe's parents. Who, looking back on it, just thought of me as Chloe's cousin who got roped into moving the entire household. So maybe there was less emotional involvement.

Tina instantly whipped out her phone. Her dad seemed annoyed at this 'inquistion interruptis”. He scowled slightly and got up, leaving the kitchen, but stopping at the door and shooting me a glance.

“We still need to talk... one-on-one. I want to know all about my little girl's roommate.”

I felt the blood leave my face as my mouth went dry and I could tell from his menacing smile, my eyes saucered.