The backyard smelled like grilled corn, charcoal, and early summer. Laughter rippled through the lawn as plates clinked and folding chairs shifted under the weight of conversation.
Aaron had come dressed in his "I'm approachable" look—simple jeans, a white button-up rolled to his elbows, and sneakers clean enough to whisper effortless, not spoiled. He carried a bowl of pasta salad he'd insisted on bringing, even though Lily warned him there would be too much food already.
Now he stood next to her, trying not to fidget as Lily's parents approached.
Her mom was all warm smiles and raised eyebrows. Her dad looked like he was already forming silent judgment.
"So this is the famous Aaron," her mom said, offering a hand. "You've been keeping him hidden, Lily."
Aaron chuckled as he shook her hand. "Only slightly hidden. Hi, I'm Aaron. Thank you for having me."
Her dad crossed his arms. "Aaron… last name?"
Lily jumped in. "Dad—"
"No, it's okay," Aaron said smoothly. "Vander. Aaron Vander."
A flicker of recognition passed over her father's face. "As in Vander Global?"
Aaron nodded, careful not to sound arrogant. "My father runs it. I'm… not my father, though."
That made Lily's mom laugh. "Well, we're just glad you came. Lily's told us good things."
"Has she?" Aaron said with a soft glance at Lily, who pretended to be busy adjusting her bracelet.
"She has," her mom confirmed, elbowing her husband lightly. "Even if your father is a CEO, you still have to help clean up like everyone else, understood?"
Aaron smiled. "Completely fair."
Lily's dad was slower to warm, but eventually nodded. "You grill?"
Aaron grinned. "I learn fast."
They sat around the picnic table for a while, eating and chatting. Lily watched quietly as Aaron navigated every question thrown at him—from politics to college to the worst dish he ever tried.
He didn't flinch. He didn't brag. And when he admitted he cried watching Up, her mother laughed so hard she nearly dropped her plate.
Lily relaxed.
Later, as Aaron helped bring out more drinks, her mom leaned in and whispered, "I like him. He's real."
Lily smiled. "Yeah. He is."