I glared at her, trying to express my displeasure.
Her grin widened. “What? I love your parents, but you can’t deny that’s what’s happening here.”
I slid out of the truck and went around to Maggie’s side to help her down. We made it a few steps before I had to stop, pulling her against me, and my mouth crashed to hers. Heaven. I soaked in the feeling of Maggie wrapping herself around me, wondering how long I’d dreamed about being about to do exactly this.
Before we could take this any further, a bark pulled me back to reality as Ranger bounded off the deck and jumped up to greet us. Glancing up, I saw my mom waving from the kitchen door where she’d clearly let Ranger out.
Maggie giggled, “See, cock blocked by your mom,” as she waved to her and looked up at me.
Glancing down at Maggie, I leaned forward and brushed my lips across her forehead, muttering, “Not for long,” before heading up the walk to the house.
Anna and Lee Sullivan were two of the best parents a kid could ask for. That didn’t take away from the fact that I wanted to send them packing with no explanation right now. Entering the kitchen, I looked over and saw my dad leaning against the counter, enjoying a beer as he stood back and took in Maggie and me together.
Dad tilted his head to the side, tipped it toward Maggie, a silent question ofis all good?
I gave him a chin lift, sending back the message ofwould have been better had you not been here.
His smile widened.
“Your mother and I stopped by to make sure you knew about the cookout at Max’s in a few hours,” he said.
“Max and Emma’s now, Lee,” Mom said, beaming.
I gave a half smile. Even being pissed at the change in plans for the afternoon didn’t take away how happy I was for my sister, for Max. The two of them had been essentially moved in together since they got serious last month, but for the past week she had packed up anything remaining at her little house in town and moved it all to Max’s place. Their place. She’d closed on the sale on her house just a few days ago. I’d completely forgotten about dinner at their place tonight. Awelcome homeof sorts, also awelcome to the familyparty for their new dog together, Winnie.
“Yeah, I know about it,” I said. Glancing at Maggie, I tilted my head in a silent ask of whether she planned on going. With the silent treatment she had given me, we hadn’t talked about our plans for the weekend, beyond her roping me in to help out at the auction. She gave a small nod, and I turned back to my parents, “We’ll be there.”
Looking from my mom to my dad, I figured we’d might as well just dive in. “Was that all that brought you guys over?”
Dad gave a pointed look at Mom, who had the decency to look remorseful.
I waited a beat. “Mom?”
Mom typically never looked unsure, but she certainly gave off that vibe now.
Maggie stepped forward, grabbing her hand. “What is it, Anna?” Worry was etched on Maggie’s face.
I worked on not laughing as I watched my mom lose any grip she had on trying to keep her emotions down. She began speaking at a rapid speed.
“It’s just, I’m just, I’m so excited for you two. And I wanted to come over a million times in the past few weeks and talk to you both. But Maggie, you were so busy with the end of the school year, I didn’t want to bother you. Then we had to have that trip this week.” She looked like she might burst. “And then I saw pictures of you at the auction this morning and realized I hadn’t seen you, talked to you, andyou are carrying our grandchild.”
I was pretty sure there was no Italian in our ancestry, but the way my mother’s hands were flying, you’d never know. Glancing at Maggie, I was relieved to see a smile stretched across her face, but noting the tears in her eyes, I cautiously moved behind her. Maggie knew my mom well, but if her pregnancy hormones were going to kick in, I’d absolutely be there for her.
“Pictures of me at the auction?” Maggie asked, cocking her head to the side. Interesting that she was apparently choosing to focus on that part of Mom’s impassioned speech.
Mom pulled out her phone. “Of course. Lou added them to the auction’s social media page.” She held up her phone, and there were several that she flipped through. “And then, of course, she sent me a few right after we got here.” Mom’s face flamed up at that comment.
Good freaking Lord. Lou was sending Mom the picture she took in the parking lot?
“You should just be grateful Lou didn’t post that one online,” Dad said, indicating he could still read my mind. “Though I did try to get your mother to head back home after she got that one.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said, giving my mom a pointed look.
“I couldn’t!” Mom said before moving in and throwing her arms around Maggie. I watched as Maggie waited a beat before wrapping her arms around her. Rocking back and forth, Mom continued, “I just couldn’t wait another day before telling you how happy we were.”
“You’ve sent me text messages,” Maggie whispered. “I knew.”
“Pshaw. Text messages. My dear girl, we adore you. That requires a visit in person, and this evening was just not going to be soon enough.” Mom pulled back, holding Maggie out to get a look at her. Scanning her up and down, she took in her long legs in her cutoff denim shorts with herJason Isbell and the 400 UnitT-shirt. Her favorite cowboy boots were in place, and her hair hung down long and loose. Freckles were dotting over her skin, but she had a bit of a light tan from being outside for the past week, though no matter how often she was outside in the summer, she was never what would be considered tan. Mom gave her one more look before pulling her in for a tight squeeze.
