The doorbell rang just as Mari joined her parents in the living room.
Her face lit up instantly. "He's here!"
She jumped up from the couch before either of her parents could say anything.
"Mari, walk like a lady!" Alex called after her.
She ignored him completely.
Alex shook his head. "We failed in raising her up to be a proper lady."
Andy laughed. "I don't know what you're talking about. She's perfect to me."
"Of course," Alex muttered.
Mari hurried to the front door. A smile was already spreading across her face as she opened it.
The smile widened immediately.
Jax stood there holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Mari had changed three times before dinner.
Now she wore a red strapless dress that hugged her waist before flowing loosely to just above her knees. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders in loose waves, and her gold earrings caught the light whenever she moved.
