I cradle my head in my hands; I already know this gossip will be all over town tomorrow. The others in here may not have heard that we’re having a baby, but they will know we were out for dinner to celebrate something with my parents. What else is gossiped about will depend on what the lady sitting next to me heard. I cast another glance at her and realize she’s come into my store in the past. Fuck. It’s true: Everyone knows someone in Laurel Creek.
“I didn’t know when I went to get us this beer that I’d be toasting my first grandchild!” my father says to us now with a genuine, easy smile.
Asher’s eyes flit to mine in question as he sits. I plead with him silently, hoping he’ll understand the look on my face.
“Come on, Lynnie, a toast!” my dad continues. My mom is wearing the world’s biggest smile; her cheeks are flushed as she clutches the glass of red my father brought her and nudges my lemon water to me.
“A mocktail,” she whispers. Asher’s eyes never leave mine, and he’s clearly wondering what the fuck just happened.
“To expanding our family and welcoming this new baby,” my father says, raising his glass. Okaythatwas loud.
Asher raises his beer cautiously and smiles at them. I am settled slightly as he graciously takes a sip.
“And to the two of you falling in love,” my dad adds just as Asher is mid-drink, causing him to nearly choke on it, though he recovers quickly.
“Let’s order so we can eat. It smells delicious.” He rubs his hands together.
“And then we can go home and talk more about all the specifics over dessert!” my mother adds animatedly before turning to Asher. “And we’ll have to get to know your parents, of course!”
“Unfortunately, my parents are no longer with us,” Asher answers. “But I can say, without a doubt, that my mother would’ve loved to be a grandmother.”
There’s a truth in his eyes when he speaks of his mother that makes my chest tighten. I don’t understand his loss really—because I don’t remember my birth mother—but I can imagine how it would feel to lose the mom sitting next to me, and the thought is gut-wrenching.
“So sorry to hear that, honey. But let me be the first to say, welcome to our family.” My mother reaches her hand out to pat his. Oh shit. This isnotwhat he signed up for.
CHAPTER 32
Asher
Well, well, well.
Miss “I Have a Plan for Everything” is totally fucking winging it, and when she made that conscious choice to lie to her parents, it was like a switch flipped for me. I should be given an Academy Award for holding it together when her father said we’re in love, because now Olivia’s gone and done it. The battle that wages in me constantly settled out completely when I realized Olivia had made the decision to put us in this false relationship, and now there’s no going back.
She watches me cautiously—she has no idea I’m on board with this plan—but her expression feels like I’m her anchor in this storm. Which is exactly what breaks through my carefully crafted armor.
Sitting across from her parents, I brace myself for the twenty questions Olivia warned me would follow as we eat. I can’t say for sure, but I’m guessing she couldn’t bring herself to tell her mom and dad, the epitome of old-fashioned tradition, the truth about our situation. Not to mention every localin the place has their eyes on us right now.
“So, Asher, Olivia’s place is in shambles right now. Is your home in town?” Ken asks me in friendly conversation. I look at Olivia; her eyes are pleading, her cheeks rosy. She’s told her parents we’re in love. And wouldn’t that mean that the best place for the woman Iloveand our child to stay is in my home, with me?
The answer isn’t even a fight.
“We can make a nice home at my place.” I pop a bite of this damn good lasagna into my mouth as I feel nails dig into my thigh. “I have a good chunk of land just on the outskirts of town, plenty of room inside and out.” I grunt under my breath to stop myself from wincing as Olivia squeezes harder.
“We didn’t decide on that a hundred percent yet, remember?” Olivia hisses. I turn to face her as I swallow.
“I remember,kitten.” Now I’m just fucking with her. But I don’t miss the way her mouth falls open when I call her the nickname that suits her to a fucking T. “My house really is the safest place for you and the baby.”
“Did you hear that, Ken?Kitten?” Lynne gushes. “Oh … our baby’s in love.”
Olivia and I keep our eyes locked on each other, and I smirk. The lady on the other side of Liv appears to be leaning in, listening for gossip. So I double down.
“All that land to roam, fresh air, Duke to protect you when I’m at work. You were just saying how peaceful it is.”
“Well, that sounds lovely,” Ken pipes up. “Who’s Duke?”
“He’s my cane corso, my best friend, and he’s tough as hell.” I pull my phone out and show Ken a photo.
“Ah, nice-looking dog. You can tell a lot about a man by his choice of pet.”
