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He winces. “Sorry, she knows I love you, and she knows Cipher loves you. She also knows Cave is coming home soon, and that he is very important to you. The specifics of our relationship are no one’s business, but if they ask, we can tell them in person.”
I give him a look that says his words don’t make me feel better.
“Has anyone told you today how beautiful you are?”
I snort. “Get out of the bathroom.”
He laughs as he leaves the bathroom, and I can’t believe meeting their families has just been sprung on me. I head out to the main area of the shed in search of Cipher, finding him at his workbench with his back turned to me.
“Did you know your parents were coming for Christmas?”
He looks up. “Yes.”
“Do they know about me?”
“Yes.”
“Do they know about our situation?”
He puts his tools down and holds out his hand, so I step closer and take it. “My mother knows I am in a relationship that is not conventional. She knows I am with you and Cave. She is not concerned, so long as I am happy. Besides, I message her daily about us.”
“You do?”
He nods. “And don’t worry about Noa’s mom—she will love you. That woman loves everyone Noa loves.”
He holds my gaze, and I see there is more he wants to say.
“My father will take a little longer. He won’t make you feel unwelcome, but he just doesn’t understand how it all works and doesn’t need to know the finer details.”
“I have never met a boyfriend’s parents before. I didn’t exactly have a life that left room for relationships. Rowan made sure of that.”
“You will be fine, and if at any point you’re not, tell me and I will deal with it.”
“When do they arrive?”
“A couple of days before Christmas.”
Thankfully, that gives me a few days to get used to the idea and get my mini freak-out under control. I squeeze Cipher’s hand. “Okay, let’s talk about something else before I spiral.”
As if some twisted Christmas spirit with a warped sense of humor heard my words, Leni rushes into the shed with Khodi hot on her heels, looking panicked. “Does anyone answer their phones around here? We have an issue and I need Noa.”
“What’s happening?” he says from the sofa, popping his head up.
“What’s happening is you ordered a thousand Christmas trees, and they can’t take any back.”
Noa jumps up from the sofa. “I only ordered a hundred.”
Khodi laughs. “Add an extra zero at the end.”
“Shit, shit, shit,” Noa says in a panic.
“The delivery drivers need to know where to put them.”
Noa scratches his chin. “The cornfield. Cave might kill me, but it’s the only open space we have available. Any that won’t fit will have to be moved into the paintball zone.”
Khodi pulls out his radio. “Unload into the cornfield.”
“Do you have a death wish, loser?” Vesper’s voice comes over the radio.
