I laugh, smacking her arm and going over to welcomehim.
"Come in," I say. "Thanks to you, this is my newplace."
"I only put in a good word for you. The credit goes to you for winning these girls over." heresponds.
"Nope, that was all you. We had to meet her to make sure she was real after how much you talked her up," Robin states nonchalantly as she walksby.
I smile at Connor, and if I'm not mistaken, I see a rare blush touch his cheeks, like he's embarrassed he gotcaught.
"Okay, show me the way," Dad announces as he enters the room with the firstbox.
"Hey, Michael, let me help you with that," Connor says, but my dadrefuses.
"There's plenty more where that came from. Go get yourself aload."
Connor leaves, opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, since the place is on the secondfloor.
Between my parents, the girls, Connor, and me we're finished in half an hour. Mom helps me set up the bed while Connor and Dad leave to get beer from the cornerstore.
"That's great Connor is living so close. He's always been such a nice boy," Mom says. "I’m more comfortable seeing you here with him to watch overyou."
I smile, feeling the same way. Not in my wildest dreams did I think this would be happening right now, yet here I am. I should add a box just so I can check itoff.
"Jean," Dad says when he returns. "Did you know Connor is a criminal defense attorney at a big lawfirm?"
"I didn't know that. Honey, why didn't you tell us?" Mom asksme.
I shrug, "When would I have? I mean, you knew he was in law school yearsago."
"Either way, Connor. That's really amazing, I'm sure your parents are very proud. Our Kenzie here…." She pauses and tears make her eyesshine.
It kills me to see that look on her face. The look of the unknown, the same worries I’ve tried to push so far down it’s invisible to the world around me. Whenever I see my mom like this though I can’t hold back and all the feelingsemerge.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, cutting off the subject before it goes any further. "Connor, where did you say was a good pizza place? We can all orderin."
When I turn to Connor, I can tell he’s a little surprised at the emotions he just witnessed and I pray he thinks we’re only sad because I’m movinghere.
"It's okay, dear. We'll get out of your hair. I think you're all settled. We should head back before the Sunday night traffic hits. These freeways are a mess in the summer, as youknow."
"Yes, good call, Jean." Dad goes to where Connor's sitting on a barstool. "Thanks for all your help today. I appreciate you looking after our littlegirl."
"Anytime,Michael."
They shake hands, and Mom gives me a hug and whispers in my ear, "He sure turned into a handsome youngman."
"Mom," I huff, not wanting to discuss my obvious obsession withher.
She holds her hands playfully. "Just saying." She sighs, tucking my hair behind an ear. "We want this time to be the best for you." She blinks rapidly, taking a deep breath in as if she’s trying to stop the emotions flooding hersuddenly.
I hug her tightly, hoping to provide comfort with our embrace. I can’t help but choke up when I whisper, "I know, Mom. It will. I knowit."
Before the door closes from my parents departure, Connor says he's leaving too. I timidly walk up to him having no clue what to say or how to act. Even though we've been messaging back and forth, that's been it. I'm hoping for more, but he's shown no interest in thatdirection.
Standing at the front door, we awkwardly fidget like we’re twelve yearolds.
"Thank you for your help today," I say, threading my fingers in the belt loops of my jeans, rocking back and forth on my heels like a silly teenagegirl.
He nods. "Of course. I'm upstairs if you need anything. Just, you know, send a text or something." He holds up his phone, shaking it back and forthslightly.
