All I can do is laugh. “I’m definitelynotokay, but in the best way.”
“Good,” he says. “We need to try that again.”
As usual, it’s like he’s reading my mind.
“Give me until the morning, and then we’lldefinitelytry that again. And many times after that.”
chapter thirty
Two days later,we pull up to my parents’ house. Mom invited us over to catch up after the trip, telling us that Dad was barbecuing. Other than woodworking, one of my father’s greatest passions is cooking meat.
Dinner is guaranteed to be incredible.
But despite the promise of good food, Nate is tense the entire drive. He’s said over and over that he’s ready to tell them, but he still seems to dread it.
I’m trying to decide if I should fight my dad or not.
“I’m sure they’ll be happy for us.”
“It’s different with dating,” Nate reminds me.
I hate seeing him serious. He’s so rarely worried that it feels like he floats through life with ease.
Panicking ismyjob.
“Seriously, I’ll go off on him.”
“No, I need to face this. He’ll get over it ... eventually. After he grills me over my intent with you and how I plan to take care of you.”
“Ew,” I say with a shake of my head. “If I hear that, I’ll remind him I can easily take care of myself.”
“Still, I’ll have to survive it.”
I’m tempted to tell him to turn around and go home, but before I can, he gets out of the car. I have a moment to take a deep breath before he opens my door for me.
“Let’s do it.” A smile crosses his face, but it’s not the easygoing one I know.
Iwillbe fighting my dad today. If only because whatever he did with Rob has Nate this stressed.
Mom is waiting for us at the front door, and when she sees us, she practically bounces on her feet. She pulls me into a hug so tight it almost strangles me. Then she goes for Nate, but pauses before she gets close.
“Oh, pardon me. I should ask permission before a hug. Maisie tells me you might not like people touching you.”
“She did, huh?” He laughs and then hugs Mom anyway. “I’m happy to tell you she was very wrong about that, Judy.”
“Yay!” Mom says before trying to crush Nate like a soda can. He lets her, but he winces when she lets go.
“You both look like you had fun!” She eyes me. “Maisie, is that a tan?”
“A little bit of one.”
“And yourhair.” She gasps. “I just knew a vacation would do you some good.”
“You were right.”
“Come on. Let’s go say hi to your father.”
She grabs both of us and leads us to the back patio, where Dad is staring at his smoker intently. When he turns to see us, he has the same stern expression he always does.
