My parents’ love is enviable after over thirty years.
“Asher likes the good stuff.” My dad hikes a thumb over his shoulder. “We’re gonna get a Brown Bourbon Ale. What do you two want?”
My mother looks up at me with a smile. “California red?” she asks. This is something we always order when we’re together, but the thought of it now turns my stomach.
When I shrug and say “I’m gonna just stick to sparkling water tonight,” my parents both look at me suspiciously.
“Are you feeling okay?” my mother asks, worried. The people at the table next to us glance over at the tone of her voice.
“Yes, Mom, I’m fine. I just don’t want any wine tonight,” I reply as quietly as I can.
“Not even a tiny bit? For tradition’s sake?”
“I’m not having any …” I stammer.
“Ican’t…” “Can’t?” she asks way too loudly. All her attention is on me, and I can all but see her spidey senses tingling. “Why can’t you—?”
Her eyes drop to my stomach, then back up to my face.Fuck.
“Oh my gosh!” Her hands fly to her mouth as she gasps. “Olivia Renee Sutton!” She whisper-yells, though not quietly enough. The people next to us glance at us again, as well as one of those girls I went to school with.
This is my nightmare.
My father says nothing, and he doesn’t look as happy as my mom.
“You’re pregnant?” His voice has an edge to it, as he looks toward the bar where Asher is still standing. The silence between us while they wait for my answer is deafening.
“How long have you even known each other? Are you in love?” he asks hopefully.
“I mean … this wasn’t planned,” I mutter as Sandy from the Sage and Salt pats my dad on the shoulder on her way to take a seat two tables over.
My mother starts to giggle, and it’s a weird, excited sound that makes even more people look at us.
But my eyes don’t leave my dad’s as my heart squeezes in my chest for him. Something I wasn’t prepared for in all my planning for tonight was seeing all the dreams he’s talked about with me die in his eyes at the thought of this pregnancy being some sort of frivolous mistake. A result from a one-night hookup. My dad is seventy years old and very traditional, especially where I’m concerned. He’s talked about walking medown the aisle so many times, and daydreamed about the day I tell him he’s going to be a grandpa.
I freeze, panicking as I sit here by myself, with no sound, reasonable mind to stop me.
I look my mother then my father straight in the eyes and smile. “Yes, of course we’re in love.”
I see my father instantly relax, and his eyes fill with something new. Happiness.
“I’m going to be a grandpa?” he asks.
I nod, a tight smile on my face. “Well, then I guess we’ve got some things to celebrate, don’t we?!” he says.
“We didn’t mean to. I mean we weren’t expecting …” I start.
“Oh, honey, we’re not prudes. We know what it’s like to be young.” My mom stands and comes around to my side of the table. She clings to me, so I don’t even have time to take it back and tell them the truth, nor do I have the guts to. “The main thing is that you have someone to share it with and you’re in love. Oh, this is wonderful! We have to congratulate the father-to-be.”
Oh God.
My mother doesn’t let go as my father makes his way over to Asher, and I realize after he hands my dad his beer that my dad has just congratulated him. His eyes meet mine and I really, really hope he’ll go along with my lie, at least until I can figure out another answer that won’t break my father’s heart.
CHAPTER 31
Olivia
My dad returns with Asher just as my mom releases me and makes a beeline straight for him.
