Chapter 324
**Sara**
I slumped back in my seat, crossing my arms. "Quality over quantity, dear brother. I'm not going to parade just anyone in front of Mom and Dad."
"Right," he drawled. "That's why you're still solo at every holiday."
The words stung more than I wanted to admit. My mind drifted to Matt—how I'd planned everything out: the perfect family dinner introduction after MBA, Mom's inevitable gushing, and Dad's attempt at intimidation that would've fallen flat because Matt was... well, Matt.
Until he wasn't.
And now there was Tom. My stomach did a little flip while I was just thinking about him. But how would that even work? 'Hey Mom, Dad, meet my professor-turned-boyfriend who happens to be heir to a billion-dollar empire'? Yeah, that would go over real smooth.
I stared out the window, watching the city blur past. Tom. Just his name made my heart do gymnastics worthy of an Olympic medal. But introducing him to my family? That'd be like dropping a Rolex in a kiddie pool - flashy, unnecessary, and bound to cause chaos.
"You went quiet back there. Finally, run out of ways to torture me?" Charles's voice cut through my thoughts.
"Just plotting my next masterpiece," I quipped, but my mind wandered back to Tom.
I mean, sure, we were... something. Something that made my toes curl, my heart race, and my brain turn to mush whenever he smiled. But we were still in that delicate early stage - like a soufflé that could collapse if you breathed wrong.
Besides, bringing him home now would be like opening Pandora's box of Parker family chaos. Mom would probably start planning the wedding before dessert. Dad would do his whole "protective father" routine, which would be hilarious considering Tom could probably buy our entire neighborhood with his pocket change. And Charles? He'd never let me live down the fact that I'd been keeping secrets.
No, this thing with Tom needed to simmer first. Like a good sauce - you can't rush it. We needed time to figure out what we were before throwing family dynamics into the mix. We needed time to make sure this wasn't just some intense fling fueled by forbidden fruit vibes and his ridiculously perfect jawline.
"Sara's plotting again," Melissa stage-whispered to Charles. "Should we be worried?"
"Always," Charles replied. "When she gets that look, someone's about to suffer."
"Me?" I pressed a hand to my chest in mock offense. "I would never make anyone suffer. I'm a ray of sunshine in everyone's lives."
"A ray of burning, scorching sunshine maybe," Charles muttered, taking a sharp turn that made me slide across the back seat.
"Hey! Watch the driving, Speed Racer." I grabbed the door handle to steady myself. "And for your information, you're the one who's going to suffer. I've got years of embarrassing stories saved up for your wedding speech."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me." I leaned forward again. "Remember that time you tried to impress-"
Charles cut in quickly, his voice rising an octave. "What about yours? Where's this mysterious boyfriend you keep hinting at?"
"I don't have one." I sat back, crossing my arms.
"Shocker." Charles snorted. "Let me guess - still waiting for Mr. Perfect?"
"More like avoiding Mr. Wrong-But-Won't-Take-A-Hint." I kicked the back of his seat lightly. "Unlike some people, I have standards."
"Standards?" Charles laughed. "Is that what we're calling it now? Face it, sis - no one wants to love you. That's why you're still single."
The words hit harder than I expected, like a punch to the gut. I forced a smile, keeping my voice light. "Better single than sorry. And I'll find someone soon enough."
"Soon enough?" Melissa turned in her seat. "That's what you said last Christmas. And Easter. And-"
"Thank you for the recap," I interrupted. "I didn't realize you were keeping such detailed notes on my love life. Should I start a newsletter? Weekly updates on Sara's Dating Adventures?"
"That would be the shortest newsletter ever," Charles quipped. "This week's headline: Still Nothing."
"You're hilarious," I deadpanned, rolling my eyes. "I'll find someone when I'm ready. Not everyone needs to jump into relationships like they're going out of style."
"Sure, sure." Charles adjusted the rearview mirror to catch my eye. "Tell you what - I'll give you one year."
"One year for what? To develop a sense of humor? Because you clearly need more time than that."
"One year to find someone worthy of the great Sara Parker." He grinned. "If you do, I'll not only sing your praises from the rooftops, but I'll also buy you a car."
I burst out laughing. "A car? You? Mr. I've-Been-Driving-The-Same-Toyota-Since-College?"
"Hey, Betty's reliable!"
"You named your car Betty?" Melissa turned to him, eyebrows raised.
"Focus," Charles said quickly. "We're talking about Sara's love life, not my car."
I stared at my brother, trying not to laugh at the cosmic joke unfolding before me. One year. The universe had to be playing some sort of twisted game. First, Tom's parents gave him a year to find someone to marry, and now my brother's setting the same timeline for my love life? What's next—Mom announcing I have twelve months to produce grandchildren?
"Sara? You in there?" Charles's voice cut through my thoughts like a knife through butter, pulling me back to the present moment.
"Sorry, just mentally calculating how many blind dates I can squeeze into three hundred sixty-five days," I smirked. "But let's talk about this car situation. You're offering to buy me one when you're still driving, Betty?"
"Betty is a classic!"
"Betty is a rust bucket with a prayer for an engine." I leaned forward. "Melissa, how many times has that car broken down since you started dating?"
Melissa twisted in her seat, a diplomatic smile on her face. "Well... maybe three or four times?"
"Three or four?" I scoffed. "What about that time you were stranded at the movies? Or when you missed your sister's birthday party? Oh, and let's not forget the great Valentine's Day breakdown of-"
"Betty just needs some tender loving care," Charles cut in, patting the dashboard affectionately. "She's got character."
"Character? Is that what we're calling rust spots and mysterious rattling noises now?"
"I maintain her perfectly!" Charles protested. "Changed the oil last month and everything."
"Wow, oil changes. Revolutionary car maintenance right there. Did you also remember to put air in the tires, or was that too advanced?"
"At least I have a car," he shot back. "When are you going to stop taking cabs everywhere?"
I rolled my eyes. "When public transportation stops being convenient. Besides, I'd rather take a cab than end up pushing Betty down Main Street. Again. Maybe you should worry about upgrading your own wheels before offering to buy me a car."
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