Page 103 of Tracing Holland

“That’s them,” Holland explains with a grin I know will stay with me for a long time.

“You go.I’ll take care of the cab,” I offer, and she sheds twenty years as she claps her hands and launches from the car toward her parents.

I pay the fare, barely able to count out the correct change with my eyes constantly wandering toward the reunion on the small porch.I finally complete my assignment and venture from the protective shelter of the car.Holland glances back, and I know the topic has turned to me.She must notice my hesitant approach and bounds toward me with nearly the same enthusiasm.

“Mom, Dad, this is Luke.Luke, this is Annie and James.”

I force my best smile.It’s not hard when faced with the sincere examples that greet me.“Mr.and Mrs.Drake,” I acknowledge, shaking their hands.

“I’m pretty sure she said Annie and James,” her father corrects, and my forced smile turns genuine.

“Sorry.Annie and James.”

Annie studies me, and I don’t miss the look she exchanges with her daughter.Her eyebrows rise in approval, and it’s everything I can do to keep a straight face.

“So cute,” I hear her whisper as her father waves me inside.

I’m assaulted by the smell of home-cooked food and potpourri as we duck into the foyer, my eyes adjusting to the clean and humble surroundings.Not at all what I was expecting, but then again, I didn’t really have expectations.

“You can leave your shoes there by the door,” James instructs, and I slide them off to add to the row.Holland does the same and takes my arm, still glowing.

“Are Sylvie and Hannah here yet?”she asks.

“Unfortunately, Hannah couldn’t get off work, but she will find another time to see you while you’re here.Sylvie’s in the basement with Emma.Go tell them you’re here.”

Holland gives me a conspiratorial look.“Ok, so I should have told you this before, but I know how you get.”

I brace myself.“Oh no.What?”

She gives me a sheepish look and leans close.“My sister Sylvie is kind of a huge NSB fan.Like, ridiculously obsessed.Way more than I am,” she teases, and I shake my head with a grin.

“Oh, I see.So now you tell me.”

“I’m warning you now, right?Can you please do me a favor and just show up in our basement?”

I stare at her in disbelief.“Wait, what?Does she not know I’m coming?”

Holland bites her lip and shakes her head with a mischievous glint.“No.I made my parents swear not to tell her.She thinks she’s meeting you after Friday’s show.”

My eyes widen.“Seriously?Does she know we’re…together?”

She shakes her head again and holds her finger to her lips.“No.None of them do.I wanted to talk to them about it in person.I told them we’d become close.They don’t know how close.”

I sigh.“Ok.Well, hang on then, I have a better idea.Do you have a guitar here?”

She squints at me for a second before nodding.“Yes…”

“Just trust me.”

“Ok, be right back.”

I wait as she disappears down the hall, and her mother peeks in from the kitchen.

“Did she just leave you there?”

“She’s getting something for me,” I assure her with a smile.

“Did she tell Sylvie and Emma you’re here?”