Chapter 130
**Tom**
Dad leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a manic intensity that made me want to crawl under the table. "You know, I could set you up with more blind dates. I have a whole rolodex of eligible young ladies who'd be perfect for you."
The thought of enduring more awkward blind dates made my stomach churn. "No, no, that's really not necessary-"
"Or we could host a party!" Mom chimed in, suddenly animated. "Invite all the single women in our social circle. It'll be like a debutante ball but for you!"
I blanched, imagining myself paraded around like some prized stallion at a county fair. "Mom, please, I'm begging you-"
"Ooh, or speed dating!" Leo suggested. "We could rent out a restaurant, set up tables. You'd have five minutes with each woman. It's efficient, like you."
"I hate all of you," I muttered, sinking lower in my chair.
Dad clapped his hands together, looking far too pleased with himself. "It's settled then. We'll start planning the party right away. I'll call the club tomorrow and see if we can book the ballroom for next month."
"Dad, no-"
"And I'll start calling all our friends with single daughters," Mom added excitedly. "Oh, this is going to be wonderful!"
I looked around the table, desperately searching for an ally, but found none. Leo was barely containing his laughter, Mom was already mentally planning table arrangements, and Dad looked like he'd just closed a multimillion-dollar deal.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" I held up my hands, trying to stem the tide of insanity. "Can we all just take a breath here? There's no need for all this... drama."
Dad's eyebrows shot up. "This isn't drama. This is your future we're talking about!"
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to say. "Look, I appreciate the concern, I really do. But I don't need a party, speed dating, or whatever else you're cooking up. I can find a girlfriend on my own."
"Oh?" Dad leaned back, crossing his arms. "And when exactly do you plan on doing that? When you're old and gray?"
"Give me some credit, Dad. I'll find someone within two years, tops. And I'll marry her, too."
The table fell silent for a moment, then erupted into chaos.
"Two years?" Dad bellowed, his face turning an alarming shade of red. "Two years? You might as well say you're joining a monastery!"
Mom gasped dramatically. "Oh, Thomas, you're not considering becoming a monk, are you?"
"What? No! Mom, I-"
Leo chimed in, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "Maybe he already has a secret girlfriend. Is that it, Tommy Boy? Got something on the side you're not telling us about?"
I felt my face heat up, a flush creeping across my cheeks as thoughts of Sara flooded my mind. No, she wasn't my girlfriend, not by a long shot. What we had was... complicated. Just casual sex? Maybe. Or something else entirely? I couldn't even put a label on it because we'd never actually discussed what this thing between us was. "That's not- I mean, I don't-"
"One month," Dad interrupted.
I blinked. "What?"
"One month," he repeated, his eyes boring into mine. "That's how long you have to find a girlfriend."
"A month? That's impossible!"
"Impossible for you, maybe," Leo muttered under his breath.
I shot him a glare before turning back to Dad. "Be reasonable. I can't just conjure up a girlfriend out of thin air in a month."
Dad's eyes narrowed. "Fine. Two months."
"Two months? Dad, come on. That's still ridiculous."
"Three months, then. Final offer."
I shook my head, feeling like I was in some bizarre auction where my love life was on the block. "This isn't a business negotiation. We're talking about my personal life here."
"Everything's a negotiation, son. You should know that by now."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. A headache was starting to form behind my eyes. "Six months. Give me six months, at least."
Dad scoffed. "You'll have forgotten all about this by then. Four months."
"Ten months," I countered.
"Five."
"Nine."
"Six, and that's my final offer."
I leaned back in my chair, considering. Six months was still a ridiculously short time to find someone, fall in love, and be ready to introduce them to my family. But it was better than the alternatives.
"Eight months," I said, hoping he'd take the bait.
Dad's eyes gleamed. He could smell victory. "Seven months. Take it or leave it."
I pretended to mull it over, even though I was beaten. "Fine. Seven months."
"Make it an even year," Mom chimed in suddenly. We all turned to look at her, surprised. She shrugged. "What? A year seems more... romantic."
Dad and I locked eyes across the table. For once, we were in perfect agreement.
"A year it is," Dad nodded.
"Alright," I said, feeling like I'd just signed away my soul. "One year. I'll introduce you to my girlfriend in one year."
Dad grinned triumphantly. "And you'll marry her within the next year."
"Now, wait just a minute-"
"Agreed!" Dad clapped his hands together. "It's settled then. One year from today, you'll bring home a lovely young lady. And the year after that, we'll be dancing at your wedding."
"How did this dinner turn into an episode of 'The Bachelor'?"
Leo snickered. "Look on the bright side, bro. At least you don't have to hand out roses."
I glared at him. "You're enjoying this way too much."
He grinned unrepentantly. "Oh, I am. This is better than any reality show."
Mom was practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh, this is wonderful! I can't wait to meet her. What do you think she'll be like? I hope she likes gardening. Or maybe she'll be into charity work. Ooh, or maybe she'll be a doctor!"
"Mom," I groaned. "She doesn't exist yet. Can we not plan our imaginary life together?"
Dad raised his glass. "To Thomas and his future bride, whoever she may be. May he find her before we take out a full-page ad in the New York Times."
As everyone clinked glasses, I couldn't help but think of Sara. What would she say if she knew about this ridiculous arrangement? Would she laugh it off, or would she run for the hills?
One thing was for sure: the next year was going to be... interesting.
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