..he is feeling a connection between us too." Cassie looked over at Spencer who was concentrating on the road. "Stop being silly Cassie," she thought to herself, "We talked for the first time today. He probably just heard that I knew a lot about the class and figured if he studied with me, he would pass the test."

Five minutes later they pulled up to the front entrance of 'The Willow Glen Country Club'. A valet opened Cassie's door and helped her down. Spencer then gave his keys to the other valet who was waiting to park his SUV.

Spencer walked over to Cassie. "Here we are." he said. As they walked into the club, Cassie's cell phone began to ring. She looked down at the caller ID. It was her best friend Melanie. "Excuse me for a second." she told Spencer. "Hi hun!" she said answering the phone. "Cass, where are you? I thought...

......we were going to get a manicure and pedicure together at 1 pm. I'm calling to see if we are still going?

Cassie replied "oh shoot, I'm sorry, something came up. My parents came up and surprised me. Spencer and I were at the coffee shop when I saw my parents, now we are going to lunch with them. I hope you can forgive me"

"Who is Spencer? I'll forgive you Cassie, if you give me the details." Malanie asked excitedly.

Mel, umm can I tell you later, he's right here. said Cassie

Sure Cas, give me a call when you're free, I expect a full report when you call. Tell your parents i said Hi and have a good time. :)

Cassie hanged up the phone, and said to Spencer, ready to go in??.....

...you were going to help us make posters for RMH Philanthropy day next week?

"Oh my gosh, I totally forgot. My parents came into town, and we're about to eat lunch." So I'm not lying completely, I'm just not telling all of the story, Cassie thought to herself.
" Melanie, can I call you back later? Let's make the posters tonight, okay?"
"Cassie, is everything okay? What's going......?"
"Uh, I gotta go, Melanie, call ya later, bye."
Melanie's voice trailed off as Cassie hung up the phone. "Cassie, wait, what's........."

Cassie and Spencer walked to the back patio overlooking the club's golf course. Mrs. McKay was standing next to a table adorned with tea lights and a fresh bouquet of magnolias. "Where's daddy?" Cassie asked. "Oh, he'll be back in a few minutes sugar," Mrs. McKay replied, "he spotted Mr. Jones and went to talk to him about Graham." Cassie forced a smile.

Graham was her ex-boyfriend. They had dated all through high school. She was head cheerleader, and he was the quarter back of the football team. Everyone thought they would get married but...

...then Graham was named the leading "suspect" in four paternity tests. He had never laid a wayward hand on Cassie, but it certainly looked as if he had touched a few other lives! Their breakup had been dramatic, and in Cassie's eyes, final.

"You'll have to forgive Daddy," Cassie said to Spencer. "He's busy with the Appliance King's Heir Apparent," rolling her eyes.

Mrs. McKay was shocked. "Cassie! You know your father..."

"...is Graham's father's partner!"

"Mom, Dad's over talking to Graham in the hopes of making sure that his job remains secure since Graham and I are no longer dating."

Spencer started to look a little uncomfortable. Cassie noticed, and quickly changed the subject by asking him......

"Are you getting pumped up about all of the Greek Fest activities next week?"

Spencer smiled, "I was excited, until I found out the match-ups. I really don't care for the..."

"....sorority we were matched with. I was really hoping to be paired with the ADPis." Spencer smiled winningly at Cassie, and her heart melted.

Just then, her father came back to the table and said to Spencer....

"So, Spencer, what's your major?"
"I am pre-med. I plan on becoming a peditirician (sp?) some day. I love kids!! I want to have three of my own and then maybe adopt some." We looked at Cassie with a huge grin across his face, "so how many kids do you want, Cas?"

Cassie had to think quick. She couldn't ask him if that meant he was planning on having them with her, which is what she was thinking. "Ummm, I would like to have four, two girls and two boys." Just then the waiter walked up.
"Welcome to The Willow Glen Country Club. What can I get you lovely ladies anything to drink today? "I'll have a champagne," said Ms. McKay, "I'll have a diet coke, please." Cassie said. Mr. McKay ordered a beer and turned to Spencer, "Spencer would you like a brusky too?"

Spencer laughed charmingly. "Sir, this will be the first 'brewsky' I've ever had in a country club, and it is my privilege to have it with you!"

The McKays laughed, glad that their daughter's date had a sense of humor. Cassie finally started to relax a bit, but...

...just when she thought nothing could ruin this wonderful day, Graham walked up.

"Hi Cassie. Mr. and Mrs. McKay." Graham said in a southern drawl. "Dad told me ya'll were over here. I hope i'm not interrupting." Cassie forced a smile. "Hi Graham." She said, trying not to sound too annoyed.

"Why don't you join us dear?" Mrs. McKay asked. It's been so long since we've seen you."

Cassie glared at her mother. "She knows what happened between us." Cassie thought. "She just can't let it go."

Her mother was always bringing up Graham. "Why don't you tell him you're sorry," she would say, "i'm sure he would take you back. You know he's crazy about you." or "Cassie sweetie, please think about your future. I'm sorry he hurt you, but he apologized for it. Besides he's just a man, and sometimes men need a change of scenery. It's what they do."

Graham glanced down at his watch. "Thank you for the invitation Mrs. McKay," Graham said, "I...

....would love to but I have a meeting I need to goto. Maybe some other time."

"Oh that's a shame, I'm sure we'll get together soon. Take care Graham, tell your parents we said hello." Mrs McKay said.

Graham said "It was nice seeing you Mr. and Mrs. McKay, especially you Cassie. Have a nice lunch" as he walked away.

Cassie breathed a sigh of relief, and thought thank goodness, that would of been a wierd situation.

The waiter came back and brought them their drinks and asked if they were ready to order.

Cassie said, could you please give us a few more minutes to decide? The waiter said he would be back in a few minutes,

"Spencer have you decided on anything?" Cassie asked

Spencer answer, I think I'm getting Fettucine Alfredo, it's my favorite pasta dish.

Cassie smiled and said that's my favorite too.

They laughed and things seemed to back on track.........

The waiter came and took everyone's order: Cassie and Spencer each ordered the fetticine alfredo, Cassie's mother ordered a chef's salad, and Cassie's father ordered smoked salmon.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Cassie's parents began to ask her how her new member period was going.

"Great!" Cassie exclaimed. "I can't wait for tomorrow night, because...."

...we're making dinner for the people at the Ronald McDonald House! And afterwards, we're going to make cookies with the kids!"

Both Mr. McKay and Spencer simultaneously said, "This kid loves cookies, too!" then laughed. Mrs. McKay said, "I think someone's going to be making a lot of cookies for the men in her life soon. What's your favorite cookie, Spencer?"