I grin, kissing him once more to absorb his strength. “You light my fire.”
He frowns. “Hmm, that makes it sound like I gave you an STD.”
I laugh. “Setting hearts, and panties…”
“Andbuildings…”
“…on fire.” I chuckle onto his mouth. “Warren Xavier, you are the arsonist of my heart.”
“Lord, help me,” he grumbles. “Please don’t sayanyof that in front of your parents.”
The nerves are still there, but now they’re being joined by shivers of excitement. Because I’venever not oncebrought a boy—or ananyone, for that matter—home to meet my parents.
Before I got arrested, I wasn’t sure I ever would… I didn’t think a relationship was meant for me. Thenafterward…Shit, I never thought I’d evenseemy parents again, let alone get to introduce them to the hot, crazy dude I’m dating.
But here we are. Outside of the house where I grew up… Walking up the walkway where I used to do math in chalk whilemy dad worked on his cars… about to scare the ever-lovingshitout of them.
Me, the son they thought was dead. And his arsonist boyfriend.
Sorry—fiancé.
Holy motherfuck, this is real.
We’rereal. It doesn’t get more real than introducing him to your parents, right??
The house looks exactly the same as the last time I saw it, more than five years ago—minus the SUV’s on the lawn, of course. It’s tripping me out. I have to stop and take a breath, because this iscrazy.
So much about me has changed, and yet it feels like no time has passed as I blink slowly, squeezing Ren’s hand to death. But he doesn’t complain, or rush me.
He just leans into my side and whispers, “Your dad’s hot.”
A snort bursts out while I glower at him, all nerves fading into a deep appreciation and an even deeper, unhinged sense of love.
Scoffing and shaking my head, I ring the doorbell. It’s impossible to be uncomfortable around him, I swear to God. He’s such a clown.
But like, a hot one.
I’m so busy swooning over the ridiculous man I’m going to marry someday, I barely notice the door swinging open. Until I’m face to face with myfather, for the first time in overfive years.
Time slows way down, and for seconds that feel like minutes, we just stare at one another. At first, I think maybe he doesn’t recognize me. I made sure to buzz my head for this exact reason…
I also didn’t want to freak anyone on the island out.Or deal with the endless shit they’d give me over showing up with hair.
Obviouslymy dad recognizes me. He just looks like he’s seen a ghost, which is understandable.Since… ya know.
“H-hi, Dad…” I stutter, shaking in the Vans I borrowed from Cyrus. “I’m, um… I m-missed you…”
“Jesus fucking Christ…” My father gasps, forehead lined, tears immediately welling in his eyes.
All I hear is Ren’s cute little chuckle as my dad lunges. He grabs me, pulling me into his arms and into the house, hugging me so hard I fear my ribs might snap. Like he’s still not sure I’mreal, even though he’s holding onto me.
But I’m savoring it. The feel of my father’s arms around me, when I didn’t think I’d ever feel it again. He feels the same, and smells the same, and I’m just… falling apart.
Crumbling into him while he holds me together.
“Marla!” He shouts, and I choke out a wet sob of a laugh. “Jesus… Holy fuck, is this real??”
He finally releases me, just enough to hold me at arm’s length and look me over.
