My mom laughed, which was apparently contagious because we were all laughing now as the Langfords stormed away.
My gaze found Gracie’s, and she smiled. And just like that, everything was better.
twenty-four
. . .
Gracie
When I wokeup Sunday morning, I was relieved the weekend was coming to an end. Not because I didn’t love my parents. Not because I didn’t love Cutler’s parents.
It was because I missed being in his bed.
In his arms.
We’d all stayed up last night and laughed for a few hours after the Langfords had left, because it was the most bizarre night ever.
Cutler had surprised me when he’d stuck to his story about seeing someone. I figured after they’d left he’d say that he’d just made it up to let Britani down.
But instead, he’d doubled down. He’d said he’d met someone he was crazy about.
He and I hadn’t gotten to talk about it, but he’d texted me last night once we were in bed and told me that he missed me, and I’d said I missed him too.
There was a knock on my bedroom door. I called out that it was open, and my mom and Emerson walked in.
“You slept late,” Mom said. “The guys are making breakfast, but we came in here to grill you.”
I rubbed my eyes and sat forward. “You can ask me anything, just never set me up on a date, because that was—a lot.”
My mom climbed onto the bed on one side, and Emerson took the other.
“I promise, my matchmaking days are over.” Mom shook her head in disbelief. “I called Grandma this morning, and she said she wasn’t surprised at all. Apparently Britani is a handful, and they don’t know what to do about it. I feel so bad for putting Cutler through that, though.”
“He’ll be okay,” I said. “I still can’t believe she followed him into the bathroom, and that she was so unhinged.”
“Agreed. I was pretty shocked from the minute they walked in the door,” Emerson said.
“In hindsight, I guess I really don’t know them at all. Lesson learned.” My mom sighed.
“So, we came in here to ask if you’ve met Cutler’s lady,” Emerson said.
“I have, and she’s fabulous.” I could feel the biggest smile spread across my face, and it took everything I had not to laugh.
“Really?” Mom pressed. “Why didn’t you tell us when we told you about Britani coming over?”
“Well, first off, it isn’t my story to tell. It’s his personal life. And I didn’t know that she thought he was betrothed to her. I thought it would be a casual dinner. No big deal. But clearly that did not happen.”
Mom’s head fell back with a laugh. “I think when Grant was asking him about taking over his company, I realized something wasn’t right.”
“How about when Jana asked if he was available to join them on their family vacation over Thanksgiving?” Emerson said over a fit of laughter. “It took all I had not to let her know that he always comes home for Thanksgiving. And that I was offendedthat she wanted my boy for Turkey Day, not even bringing up the fact that they literally just met.”
“He’s easy to love, isn’t he?” I said, and they both stopped laughing and turned to look at me. I cleared my throat. “I mean, people just love him. He’s that guy.”
“Yes. He really is.” Emerson smiled down at me. “And so are you, beautiful Gracie.”
“Ahhh…slumber party in Gracie’s room, huh?” Cutler said as he pounced onto the bed and then tickled me until I couldn’t breathe from laughing so hard. “Come on. Breakfast is ready.”
He stood up and helped both of our moms up from the bed, wrapping an arm around each of them.
