Once we pulled off the highway and made our way through the streets of my hometown, I started to feel all the memories tug me to follow them.
“Helping the sick and injured has always been second nature to me. It’s the healthy and mobile that I don’t care for.” Dorian was trying to distract me, but I would bite. I knew nothing about him, and since I opened up about my life, I was hoping he would do the same for me.
That hope fell flat when he didn’t say another word and we pulled into my parents’ driveway.
They lived in a nice two-story home on an acre of land that had four bedrooms and three baths, surrounded by big trees. My favorite part of the house had always been the front porch. It wrapped all the way around and had a swing on the back.
Dorian parked the car and turned to face me.
“Relax, everything’s going to be fine.”
His hand nestled itself through my hair, pulling my head toward his as he leaned in.
The kiss was surprisingly sweet, and even comforting.
My body started to relax and focused on his lips against mine.
When he pulled back his eyes were locked on mine as they opened.
“Showtime,” he whispered, then went about getting his jacket on and stepping out of the car. He walked around and opened the door for me, which was a tad over the top, but I smiled anyway. After I was out, he went to retrieve our overnight bags from the trunk.
Looking up, I noticed both my parents standing on the porch waiting for us.
I moved quickly toward them, and they surrounded me in the best hug together.
“Honey, we are so glad to see you.” Mom was getting teary-eyed already. She had always been an emotional parent, but after Eli died, she got even worse. Mom and Dad stayed together instead of continuing with the divorce. They weren’t wild in love anymore like they used to be, now they were just like roommates who already knew each other’s lives and secrets.
“Mom, Dad, I’d like to introduce you to Dorian.” I pulled back so they could say hello.
Mom looked at him, her reddish-brown hair framing her face, eyes so similar to mine. Everyone said my smile came from my dad. I was tall like him, and he had put on a little weight, but his brown hair was trimmed nicely, and his blue eyes were giving Dorian a strange look.
“Welcome, Dorian. Thank you for driving our daughter to us, that was very kind of you,” Mom spoke first; Dad was sizing Dorian up. I found that pretty comical for some reason.
“It was my pleasure. Someone’s gotta take care of our girl.” Dorian’s arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me in tight. Our girl. If that wasn’t a declaration, then I don’t know what was.
“Oh, Esme, you did good.” Mom winked, and I knew my cheeks were turning pink. I wanted to shout out that we weren’t together, but I bit my lip instead.
“Well, let’s get these two lovebirds out of the cold, shall we, Sherry?” Dad gestured for us to follow, and we all walked into the house one by one, Dorian’s hand stayed firmly fixed on my lower back as we did.
