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Chapter 25

Jimmy – It’s Complicated

As soon as Melena andher mother disappeared into the kitchen, I was toast. I tried to accept my fate manfully, but part of me still wanted to find an excuse to be anywhere else. We turned on the game for background, but the only one pretending to watch it was Melena’s dad.

Zander landed the first question like a punch. “You didn’t really sweep Melly off her feet...did you?”

Oofta.We should have strategized this visit more. I didn’t want to reveal anything Melena was uncomfortable with, but I also couldn’t lie to my new in-laws. I planned for the long haul with Melena. Was it better to lie to her family to make her happy or come clean and preserve our long-term relationship with them? Seeing her with her family convinced me they would want to know about her medical issues, but it wasn’t my story to tell.

“You don’t think I could sweep a woman off her feet? Marriage is complicated, and there are lots of reasons to get married,” I admitted.

Vague was a strategy, right?

Ivan gave me a sideways look from his sprawl on the couch, “You’re light on facts and heavy on bullshit.”

And here we go. The insults have started. I gave him my public relations smile: polite and friendly, but not reaching my eyes. “I care about your sister. I’ll protect her and keep my vows. Everything else is between us.”

The subtext was clear—they needed to butt out of Melena’s business. Zander rolled his shoulders and tried to stare me down from his position on the couch. It didn’t work. I had that shit on lock. Petty power games were part of my day-to-day world. I had to be the authority, even when I didn’t feel confident about how things would go down. Anything less could lead to innocent people getting killed. Zander and Ivan were amateurs.

I softened slightly. They were amateurs that loved their sister. This wasn’t life or death; it was love. This time I let my smile reach my eyes. “I appreciate that you’re here for Melena. I’m glad you came with your parents, even if it was just to check me out. I may not convince you today or tomorrow that I’m good enough for your sister, but I’ll grow on you.”

Melena’s dad snorted from his spot in the recliner. His gaze remained fixed on the TV, but he’d been paying attention. “We’ll see.”

I tried to focus on the game, and the other men did too. I wondered if Melena was getting similar treatment from her mother in the kitchen. “Who wants a beer?” I offered.

When I had a count, I wandered into the kitchen and paused on the threshold. Melena and her mother stood side-by-side at the island, and it was like watching a time-lapse photo. Present and future. Melena’s mother was softer and rounder, with fine lines and wrinkles from a lifetime spent outdoors and laughing. Her skin was a shade darker than Melena’s, but they shared the same hair color. She was beautiful. I wanted that lifetime with Melena. I wanted to see her gain the lines and wrinkles of a life well-lived. I smiled at them as they spooned batter onto cookie sheets.

“What are you making?”

Melena smiled up at me. “My great-grandmother’s cookies. We’ll bring some out when they’re done.”

I walked up behind her, leaning into her neck, and inhaling the scent that was uniquely Melena, combined with sugar, flour, and flavorings. “Mmm. Smells good.”

I caught the small shiver rippling down her spine and smiled. I wasn’t the only one affected. Melena leaned back against me, her hands still a sticky mess, and held them up in front of my face. “Watch it, mister. Come any closer, and I’ll cover you in cookie dough.”

“Promise?” I laughed and watched her expression light up in response as she turned to me. “I always loved the raw dough. It’s so tasty. I love to lick the spoon.”