“He really cares about you,” Mom says gently.
“I really care about him, too.”
She tips her head, eyes roving over my face. “Are you two okay?”
I roll my bottom lip between my teeth. If I voice my worries, I’ll break down again, and I don’t want to return to the dining table with puffy eyes. “Yeah. I think so. I was stressed about tonight.”
Mom hugs me. “He’s devoted to you.”
“I know.” But is that enough?
“I’m sorry my relationship with your father is making things difficult for you.”
“It’s just everything.” I wrap my arms around her and absorb the comfort, wishing I felt stronger and steadier.
“You’ve been through a lot over the past six months, honey. Be gentle with yourself and with him, okay?”
“I’m trying.”
We hug it out before we bring dessert upstairs.
Phillip moves to my side the moment I’m back in the kitchen, offering his assistance. I desperately crave the contact and tuck myself under his arm.
Fenna rushes to the freezer, then props her hands on her hips. “We’re out of ice cream.”
“That’s my fault.” Ties grimaces and rubs the back of his neck. “I could walk to the store.”
“The corner store doesn’t have the good stuff,” Fenna points out.
Hubert, the new family dog, appears in the hallway, carrying his leash, tail wagging excitedly.
Mom and Dad have a brief, silent conversation and it makes my heart hurt all over that despite everything, they couldn’t make it work.
“Why don’t you go pick some up from the grocery store, and your dad and I will take Hubert for a quick walk,” Mom suggests.
“I’m going with you to get ice cream because you always get the wrong kind.” Fenna heads for the front door.
“You mean I always get the kind I like instead of the kind you like,” Ties says, following her.
“Phillip and I will get the table ready,” I offer.
I’m sure my mom is doing this to give us a few minutes toourselves, which is kind of her, but I’m worried I’ll break down the moment they leave.
Two minutes later, Phillip and I are alone in the house.
He moves to stand in front of me, hands sliding up my arms, palms coming to rest against the side of my neck. I need the contact. Crave it. He’s everything, and I’m so freaking scared of how I feel and how he feels and all the things we haven’t said.
“Did your mom say something?”
“Not something bad.”
“Why do you look like you’re on the verge of tears, then?” His brow is furrowed, his eyes slightly frantic.
“Can we have a serious talk later, because if we have one now, I’ll start crying and Fenna will call me out for having puffy eyes, and it’ll be embarrassing.”
He swallows thickly. “Are you breaking up with me?”
“No.”I love you. I’m head over heels for you. I’m so deep it terrifies me. “That’s the last thing I want. It’s just been intense, and I wanted tonight to go well, and for it not to be an interrogation and make it even harder.”
