I dusted off my nerves and adjusted my red faux fur coat. “Ready.”
Heidi and Hannah met us halfway, buzzing with quiet excitement.
We exchanged greetings and hugs. A fuzzy feeling settled in my chest as I realized that I was essentially meeting my futurein-laws. Hunter belonged to me. He was my destiny. Therefore, it was imperative I made a good, lasting impression on the women who raised him.
They were a lovely and welcoming bunch. The daughter and mother duo could easily pass for sisters and had this otherworldly, classy, model-like, dark-haired beauty that I’d only seen in the pages of my fashion magazines. I told them they were gorgeous and they blushed. Heidi told me it was nice to finally meet the girl her brother had been pining over for a year, to whichIblushed. And Hannah said that I was the first girl Hunter brought home, to which I cheekily replied that I would be the last.
They chuckled.
The Warren women proceeded to show me their home, old baby pictures of Hunter, and showered me with praise as we ate a fantastic four-course dinner. The vain creature inside of me ate up the compliments with a spoon. My future with them appeared bright. Our personalities meshed well and we’d already made plans to go get manicures and pedicures together next week.
“My goodness, you’re so cute and tiny. I just want to wrap you up in my arms and never let go,” Hannah said, snatching and squeezing me to her in a motherly gesture, right before we set up the table for dessert. I hugged her back, touched by her sweetness. She kissed my forehead. Hunter definitely got his affectionate side from her. “Like a doll.”
“That’s what I call her, Mom,” Hunter chimed in.
“As you should,” she told him and focused back on me. “You’re beautiful, Gabriela. Tell me; do you take after your mom or dad?”
“Thank you.” I smiled. “I get my height and my red hair from my mom. As for my looks, I’d say I’m a good mix between both parents.”
“Is that so?” She beamed. “Well, I would love to meet them one day.”
Everyone in the room sensed that it was a big step, but it was a step in the right direction nonetheless. “My family would love to meet you and Heidi too. Once football season finishes—” I cast Hunter a meaningful glance over my shoulder and rephrased, “OnceHunter wins his trophy, I’ll set up a date.”
“Once?”
“Yes. I’ve been going to Hunter’s games and he’s incredibly gifted. There’s no one like him. The only outcome is his team winning the championship.”
Her eyes twinkled with something like pride. “You’re so sure of him, huh?”
I heard a double entendre in her words. “If there’s one thing in my life I’m certain of, it’s Hunter.”
Including the love I harbour for him.
“Aren’t you two the cutest?” Hannah gushed. “Hunter, I really like her.”
Hunter watched us the entire time from his perch against the kitchen island counter, his strong arms crossed over his chest. There it was. That soft, possessive look that continuously did me in. “I really like her too.”
In my mind, I practically heard the wordlovesubstituted forlike.
Two days later, while Hunter was gone for an away game, I was out gown shopping with Anna and Layla for the masquerade ball after finishing an in-class assignment. I made sure to buy a matching tie and two half-face masks for Hunter and me.
Goods secured! —Gabby
I texted him a picture of my shopping bags the minute I set foot in his apartment, using the key he gifted me to let myselfin. Hunter’s signature cologne lingered in the air. I longed for him. Luna missed her daddy too. The moment she crossed the threshold, she wandered over to lie down on Hunter’s couch…in the exact spot he always sat.
I joined her and snapped a picture of us, then sent it to him.
PS: Luna and I miss you—Gabby
His replies came forty-five minutes later, after his football game came to an end.
I miss my girls too. —Hunter
Can I call you? —Hunter
Yes—Gabby
I picked up on the first ring and held my phone in a way so he could see Luna too. “Hi, pretty boy,” I greeted. “How was your game?”
