Phoebe: Yep. Sorry, I’m busy right now but will call later to discuss in detail.
Then I slipped my phone back into my pocket.
“Babe, you’re worried about something.” Griffin tilted my chin up. “Is something wrong?”
I bit the inside of my cheek. Hannah was right next to us, putting salt and pepper on the meat. But I could still share this—I mean, it wasn’t a secret or something I was ashamed of. “I messed up. I told my parents a while ago to visit me. I actually thought I told them to come at the end of next month, but it’s this one. Mom just sent me the tickets with their flight schedule.”
“When are they coming?”
“Two Saturdays from now.”
I was expecting him to berate me for being so careless. Instead, he said, “No problem. They can sleep in Jeremy’s bedroom. That’s one of the reasons why I wanted a double bed there in the first place.”
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “I was going to suggest they sleep at a B&B.”
“Nah. It’s high time they met me.”
I smiled sheepishly. “That’s true. But I just moved in…”
“I have an idea, if you don’t mind me eavesdropping,” Hannah said. “The inn actually isn’t booked that weekend. We only have one other couple coming. I’d love to have your parents here.”
My eyes bulged. Okay, so generosity wasn’t just a Sterling gene. Apparently, the women who entered the family shared it too. “Hannah, that would be amazing. Mom would love this place.”
I looked apologetically at Griffin. “I do think Mom would be a bit afraid that she might be in our way. I haven’t even gotten to tell her I moved in with you yet.”
“Do you think they’d feel better here?” he asked.
“Absolutely. I’ll pay for the room, of course.”
Hannah looked at Griffin. “She’s not serious, is she?”
He chuckled. “Unfortunately, she is. But don’t worry, I’ll talk some sense into her.”
“You’re one of us,” Hannah went on, turning to me. “I’d be happy to have them here.”
“Thanks, Hannah. I really wasn’t expecting this.”
She smiled wholeheartedly. “Anytime. Just ask. If I don’t have any guests, I’m happy to host anyone. And if I know far enough in advance, I just won’t book anyone.”
I made a mental noteneverto tell her in advance. The last thing I wanted was to cost her a guest.
She glanced at the grill. “I think it’s going to take a while before he can put the meat on the fire. I’m going to bring some snacks and prepare some finger foods,” she said before disappearing into the house.
Griffin turned to look at me intently.
“What?” I asked a bit defensively. I felt as if I were under a magnifying glass.
“I asked you at the house what was wrong. You said everything was fine, even though you were clearly stressing out.”
“I just wanted to think about how to explain everything toyou first. I didn’t want you to think I’m rushing you into meeting my parents. Or hosting them.”
“Babe, listen to me.” He cupped my face. “We’re a team. You don’t need to think about a strategy to talk to me. You just tell me what’s going on, and we’ll figure it out, okay?”
Was he for real? Because it sounded like a dream.
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Promise?”
