MEETING JORDAN'S FATHER went better than expected. We began talking football when Jordan left for the ladies' room and he came around quickly. Reg is another story. His mouth stayed in a firm line through most of dinner. The only person who had any luck lightening his demeanor was Laura. Now there's a scary woman. She had no trouble batting her eyelashes in my direction and making me uncomfortable.

I drove everyone to the hotel after dinner. The short kiss with Jordan wasn't ...