When I nod, he opens the passenger's side door for me. I climb in as he goes around the front of the SUV and gets in behind the steering wheel. Tuck looks over at me and grins. "I missed you, Penny," he says while tucking a loose piece of hair behind my hair. It reminds me of the same action Colton always does, and I immediately pull away.
I could easily use Tucker as a diversion. I could also use Tucker to get back at Colton. But that would be wrong. Tucker is too nice and sweet to be deceived like that. So I decide to play it casual since he has no idea Colton and I started rekindling our relationship. As far as how our relationship stands now, I have no idea; but I'm hoping for the best at this point.
"How was your trip to New York?" I ask instead of telling Tucker that I missed him too.
He must take that as a hint, because he straightens in his seat and puts the SUV in gear before driving out of the parking lot. "Good. My team is getting a lot done up there." He glances my direction with a smirk. "We could really use a campaign manager, though, to keep everybody in line."
I smile. "I just need a little more time to consider it. Okay?"
He nods in response. "Take all the time you need. I know it's a big step, Penny."
I'm glad he's so understanding. Yesterday, I wouldn't have been willing to leave Willowbrook. Today, I'm not so sure. I don't know what happened between Colton and Ruby Sue last night. She spent the night, and I saw them kissing, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they slept together. I have to think that Colton wouldn't hurt me like that, but a part of me feels like I don't know him at all anymore.
We arrive at my parents' place a few short minutes later and are greeted at the door by both of them. My dad shakes Tucker's hand in a firm grip and claps him on the back. "Nice to see you again, Tucker."
"Mr. Preston," he says with a nod.
"Mr. Preston was my father's name. Please call me Martin."
"Okay. Martin," Tucker says, beaming. "Thank you for inviting me to dinner."
"Oh, you're always welcome here, Tucker," my mama says with a proud look on her face. She's definitely taken sides in the whole Tucker/Colton controversy, and she's definitely Team Tucker all the way. "You two go sit in the living room, and we'll let you know when dinner is ready," she says to Tucker and my father.
My mama and I disappear into the kitchen. "You could have told me that you invited Tucker. I wasn't expecting him to pick me up."
"It was a pleasant surprise, though, wasn't it?"
I roll my eyes and walk over to the stove. "Tell me how I can help."
"Stir the gravy while I finish the mashed potatoes."
The food smells so delicious, and my stomach growls fiercely in response. Mama is taking a masher to the potatoes when she asks, "How are things between you and Tucker?"
"Kind of on pause as of the moment," I tell her honestly.
"Is it because of Colton?" she asks, and his name almost sounds like a curse coming out of her mouth.
I roll my eyes again. Lord, help me get through this Sunday dinner without storming out. "I don't know what's happening right now, Mama. Let's just say I'm keeping my options open."
"Well, I hope you don't keep them open for too long. And I hope you realize what…or shall I saywho…the best option is."
I know who her best option for me is, and I don't know that I can picture my life without Colton. It would always feel like I'm missing a piece of my heart if he wasn't in my life. I want my happily ever after. And how could I live happily ever after with half of a heart?
We finish cooking dinner in silence. I help her take everything out to the table, and then she calls the guys in from the other room. It's quiet as we all sit down and pass the dishes around the table, filling our plates to the brim with my mama's home cooked meal.
Before everyone starts digging in, Mama says a quick prayer. I can't help but wonder if she's asking God to help with her daughter's love life. When she opens her eyes and stares at me while she says, "Amen", I think I know the answer to my question.
I take a bite of the mashed potatoes, and it practically melts in my mouth. I might have learned how to bake from Colton's mother, but I definitely learned how to cook from my mama. She makes the best mashed potatoes.
"How is the campaign going, Tucker?" my dad asks, breaking the silence.
"Very well. The early polls are showing that New York City is ready for a change, and I hope that the city is ready for me," he says with a chuckle. "I just wish I could get my campaign manager to decide when she's coming to New York so that we can really get the ball rolling on some things," he says, winking at me.
My father watches our exchange with a confused look on his face. "Penny knows your campaign manager?"
Tucker clears his throat. "Well, I've asked Penny to be my campaign manager. I figured she would have told you," he says, raising a brow at me.
My eyes widen at his words; and they dart to my mama, who is looking like the cat who just ate a whole slew of canaries. This is all part of her master plan --- for me to go back to New York and pursue a career in politics. Adding Tucker to the mix is just the icing on the cake.
