Now this was Alex's turn of simply staring at Summer, without any words to respond with. She kept looking at him, waiting patiently for him to speak. But he just stared ahead. It was a dream come true, yet also his worst nightmare!

She wanted to try out dating, to see how her parents and friends reacted. Which meant he'd get to date her! He was beyond ecstatic for that part, but..... what if her parents didn't approve of the two of them together? Alex had seen how closely bonded that family was. He knew Summer would look up to her parents for their opinion. If they said no, or even showed any disinterest in him, he could kiss the whole idea goodbye!

Unless, he did EVERYTHING in his power to impress her parents! As Summer's kind eyes beckoned him to answer, a master plan seemed to form inside Alex's head. He had met her parents just a while ago, but it was enough for him to judge them as individual people as well as parents. In the time he had spent learning the business world, he had left no stone unturned including how to understand people and their character. The businessman inside him could already make a detailed strengths and weaknesses list for both her parents. He told himself over and over, that impressing her parents would be just another task for him. Like a business deal.

"Sure! That sounds like a great idea," Alex beamed at Summer.

"Really? You'd be up for it?" She asked half happy, half suspicious.

"Of course." Alex moved his head closer to hers. "Anything to get to date you!"

Summer nervously laughed, and moved away. But not before catching the look in Alex's eyes. He looked like he was overwhelmed in desire. She shooed the thought away, not wanting to think of his hidden intentions if there even were any.

Alex watched her intently, and then decided to call it a night. He had almost lost all control a moment ago. He felt like he shouldn't be around her, when he was feeling so on the edge.

"I think I'm gonna go now," he murmured and got up. Summer followed suit, and proceeded to get her parents so they could bid him goodbye.

"Should I....," Alex's voice was very low as he questioningly looked at her. She realized he was talking about mentioning the whole dating thing to her parents. She shook her head at him, deciding it was better if she talked to them first.

Her parents walked into the room then and smiled at Alex.

"It was really good meeting you," Mrs. Roberts told him.

"The pleasure was all mine, Ma'am. Thanks for having me, and for the lovely food." Alex then proceeded to lightly kiss the back of Summer's mom's hand. Her mom was certainly surprised, but mostly she was impressed by his manners and courtesy. She blushed and chuckled.

"Not everyday I get to see that." Mr. Roberts laughed jokingly. But he liked the gesture too. He was an old, romantic at heart. "Let me walk you to your car, son."

Alex smiled and nodded at the older man. Words couldn't explain the joy he felt upon hearing the word 'son' coming from someone. He wondered if the feeling was so special because it came from Summer's dad. But he sadly realized his lonely soul begged for just a father. Any father.

Mr. Roberts walked Alex to his jaw-droppingly beautiful Maserati Quattroporte. He couldn't help but gawk at the machinery in front of him.

"That's some car right there," he exclaimed.

"Thanks, Mr. Roberts. You must remind me to take you on a drive someday." Alex took the opportunity to establish a deeper relationship with him.

"I will hold you to it, young man."

Both men shook hands and then Alex left, roaring away.

***

Summer anxiously waited at the breakfast table for her parents to join her. The previous night, after Alex had left, she had stayed up till late thinking. She had given up after some time, deciding to just get it over with first thing in the morning. She had texted Alex to pick her up for brunch. And now the one thing she had on her mind was to tell her parents she had a date with Alex Lewis.

"You're up pretty early," her mom said as she walked into the adjoining kitchen. Her dad started setting up the table, giving her his typical wink in the process. She was too in her head to react.

"Is something the matter, sweetie?"

Summer took a deep breath and said, "I have a date with Alex later today."