Mom opened her mouth, about to defend herself, but opted to smile instead. “Of course, I’m sorry. I can’t help it—I want to see both my daughters happy.”
“Well,thisdaughter is content figuring out her happiness on her own terms,” I muttered, sending her a pointed look and hoping like hell she’d heed me.
“Fair enough,” Mom said, hesitating. “I am sorry about the dinner, Guinevere. When your father told me Grant asked you out, I figured I’d give you a gentle nudge.”
“I don’t need any nudges,” I assured her, folding my arms across my chest. She nodded with understanding, her eyes returning to Alaric.
I couldn’t help it, I glanced over my shoulder too. As if he felt my gaze, he turned, and my stupid blush deepened.
“I can see that now,” she remarked, a sly smile pulling her lips gradually up.
The garden gate opened, and Renly walked through with a case of beer in his hands, his boyfriend Brian trailing alongside him. Relief washed over as I sensed an opportunity to escape this awkward, never-ending song and dance.
“Excuse me.” I said before heading off to greet them. “You didn’t!” I squealed, noting the logo on the side of the twelve pack—my favourite craft beer from Niagara Falls.
“We did,” Ren sang, shifting the pack so that he held it in one arm and hugged me with the other. He kissed my cheek, and when we parted, I hugged Brian.
“We went to Niagara Falls for a little romantic getaway earlier this week, and we couldn’t leave without stopping at the brewery first,” Brian added, sending an affectionate grin to Ren.
“You guys are seriously the best,” I sighed, stepping back again. “Let’s get you fellas a drink.”
I pivoted and led the way through the patio doors and into the kitchen. “Do you mind if I use the bathroom? I’ve had to pee for the last hour of the drive,” Brian laughed as Ren set the twelve pack on the counter.
“Sure, it’s down the hall to your right,” I told him, and he nodded with relief before following my directions.
“I noticed Mr. Tattooed Thor is here,” Ren remarked once we heard the bathroom door close. Both of our gazes went out the screen door, where we could just make out Alaric’s form as he stood in the same place I’d left him. “Is he here as your boyfriend or?”
“Shh,” I whispered, looking around to make sure the coast was clear. I’d texted Renly to update him on the hot welder situation, and he’d seemed thrilled to hear we were giving it the good old college try. “We’re not here together, so act like you don’t know him. I don’t want him getting all bugged out by the amount of nosy family and friends I have.”
“Fair enough,” Ren raised his hands in surrender. “My lips are sealed,” he added, pretending to zip them shut.
“Good.” I nodded, relieved. “Now if only my mom would stop meddling.” Sighing, I tugged the twelve pack over and opened it, drawing three beers out and setting them on the counter.
“Meddling is what your mom does best,” Ren chuckled, shaking his head.
“Tell me about it,” I sighed, dragging my fingers through my hair and staring off down the hallway. “Speaking of meddling…how didthe talkgo?”
“Good,” Ren said, smiling and swiftly changing the subject. “I’m parched. Could I get that drink you offered?” He cocked a brow at me and looked pointedly down the hall.
I narrowed my eyes at him before turning to open the refrigerator. Renly didn’t want to talk about it right now, but I knew eventually, he would, so I let him have the win. “Is white wine okay?”
“Any kind of wine is fine in my books,” Ren replied. “We’ll be staying with my parents for the next few days, and I’m sure that will be fun.”
Ren’s dad still didn’t fully accept his son’s lifestyle. “I thought he had stopped with the comments after your Nan and mom laid into him last Christmas?” I asked sympathetically, pouring two glasses of wine before I put the bottle back in the refrigerator.
“He did, and he has,” Ren said quickly. “But, well, I think a part of him still believes that it’s a phase.”
“Well if he ends up being a dick, you guys could come crash at my place. I’ll sleep on the couch.” I suggested, shrugging.
“No, if it’s that bad, we’ll just leave.” Ren laughed. “Or get a hotel. But Nan wanted me to try. I think she wants us to fix things before…” he trailed off, his voice tightening with emotion.
“How’s she doing?” I leaned against the counter, nodding at Brian as he rejoined us in the kitchen. I handed him a drink and slid the other one to Renly, my gaze returning to him.
“She’s good, but she talks an awful lot about death.” He shook his head sadly. “I mean, she always has, but this time it feels different. Like she’s actually preparing for it.”
Brian put his arm around Ren’s shoulders, hugging him from behind. “She’s going to be okay. She’s a tough lady.”
“Yeah, she will,” Ren said, his voice distant, as his hand absently went to Brian’s arm. He patted it twice before shaking his head, jolting himself. “But enough with this gloomy topic. Let’s get back out to the party! I hope your mom made her deviled eggs,” Ren said, pasting on a smile.
