“Love?” My mother looks like she was just hit with a baseball bat. I hate springing this on her, but it did just kinda happen. “Kira,” her tone becomes serious. “You know if you’re happy, I’m happy, right?” I nod. “But have you been completely honest with him? Does he know about your past?” She hints. My past.Ourpast is a delicate subject.
“He knows some,” I admit.
“All?” she presses.
“He will. I’ll tell him everything. I trust him. But we’re still getting to know each other. It’s sort of complicated. I didn’t want to drop all my skeletons on him at once.”
My mother considers this rationale. “Okay, sweetheart. Just as long as you trust him. I don’t want you to give your heart away to a man who doesn’t know how to handle it.”
“He’s pretty strong. I think if anyone can handle my past, and my heart, it’d be him.”
My mother nods, accepting my decision. That’s the one thing she’s always had, my back. “Do you want to meet him?” I open the laundry room door and head back into the kitchen where Ky is impatiently waiting.
“Meet him?” My mother perks up. “Of course.”
“Is Gerard around?” I slide onto one of the kitchen island stools. I steal a glimpse at Ky, trying to pick up any animosity from the mention of his father’s name. There seems to be none.
“Yes, he’s right here.” She tilts the phone sideways so both their faces are smooshed on the screen.
“Hey, Little Darlin’, I hear you’re ditchin’ us this trip.”
“It’s for a good reason.”
“It better be, or he’ll have to deal with me,” Gerard threatens, and not in a joking manner either. When it comes to the guys in my life, he’s a protective papa bear.
I feel Ky shift behind me. “She’s in good hands. Don’t worry about a thing, ol’ man.” Ky leans over so his face can share the screen with mine. Gerard nearly passes out. “Ky?”
“Hey, Pops.”
“What in the fuck?” His eyes dart from me to Ky and then back again.
“It’s a long story.” Ky places a hand on my shoulder.
“It’s a Greek tragedy, is what it is.” Gerard does not sound one ounce of pleased. Shit. “Gerard,” my mother steps in right in the nick of time. He’s starting to turn red. “Ky and Kira are both adults. And I’m sure they didn’t intend for this to happen?” My mother shoots me a sidelong glance, like,right?She’s thrown, too. “You can’t help who you love. As bizarre as it may be sometimes. Look at us.” She vindicates.
“We aren’t related,” he replies with clenched teeth.
“Neither are we,” Ky points out. “Marriage doesn’t really count.” He’s smug. Ky is loving this, seeing his father squirm on a hook. It’s written all over his face and is audible in his tone.
“Kira, are you really serious about this? It’s not some crazy joke?” Gerard grills me.
“No.” I glance happily at Ky. “What can I say? Attraction to bad boys must run in the family.”
Gerard shakes his head. “Oy.”
“Madame, Monsieur,” a man with a thick accent addresses my parents. “Bon appetit.”
“Oh, sweetheart, our dinner is here.”
“Show me.”
My mom flips the camera and exhibits the glorious piece of steak and asparagus bunch sitting on her plate.
“That looks amazing.”
“It smells amazing. We were supposed to have so many wonderful meals while you were here.”
“I know.” I frown slightly.
