“Did she kiss you?” he pressed.
“I’m not discussing this with you.”
“Hey, that’s not a no.”
“I said—”
Adonis laughed, cutting me off. “Okay, okay. Anyway, come meet us at my office. Liam’s already waiting. We’ve got something to run by you.”
“Is this about the job next week?” I asked, curious.
“Just get your butt over here, Loverboy. Ten o’clock.” He hung up before I could respond.
I shook my head, grinning like a fool, then reluctantly dragged myself out of bed and slipped on a hoodie. As I made my way downstairs, the inviting aroma of cinnamon and coffee filled the air, leading me straight to the kitchen.
My mom was at the stove, flipping French toast as if she were preparing a feast for an army. My dad was already seated at the table, nursing a black coffee and scrolling through the morning paper as if it were still 1998.
“Well, well,” he remarked without glancing up. “The hero has arrived.”
Mom smiled over her shoulder.
“Morning, sweetheart! You hungry?”
“Starving,” I replied, sitting down across from Dad. “You making this much food for a special occasion?”
“Just practicing for when you bring that girl of yours over,” she said nonchalantly, placing a plate in front of me with a wink.
I nearly choked.
“Mom—”
“She’s right,” Dad chimed in, folding the paper. “You like her, don’t you?”
I nodded, taking a bite of my toast.
“Then don’t waste time pretending otherwise. Bring her around. Let us meet her.”
I glanced at them, the weight of everything I hadn’t shared with Elizabeth pressing down like a bruise.
“She’s not… like other girls,” I said quietly. “She’s guarded. She doesn’t let people in easily.”
Mom’s smile softened.
“That just makes it mean even more if she lets you in.”
“She trusts you, doesn’t she?” Dad added.
“I think so.”
I hesitated.
“She’s been through a lot, though. I don’t want to mess this up.”
Mom leaned closer, sliding another piece of toast onto my plate.
“Then don’t. Just be honest. Be yourself.”
Then she kissed the top of my head, just like she used to when I was little.
