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“I wish you had at least told me, Gus. You know I would’ve flown out to be there for the ceremony.”
“It was a simple ceremony with the Justice of the Peace,” Gus said. “Adelia was there.”
“I know. She told me. And I saw the pictures online.” Skylar looked at Merritt. “You looked beautiful, by the way.”
“Thanks. You’re sweet.”
“Is Dad coming home soon?” Gus asked.
“He should be, but when I left, he was talking to Otto, and you know how they get to talking.”
Gus rolled his eyes. Otto was on the board and was an old friend of Dad’s. It could be a while before Dad showed up at the house.
“Will you excuse me for a minute,” Merritt said as she stepped out of Gus’s arms.
“Of course,” Skylar replied.
Gus watched Merritt walk out of the room and down the hallway toward their bedroom, his gaze fixed on the sway of her hips as she moved. He felt guilty for staring but realized he probably should be staring at his wife’s body. For appearances, of course.
“She’s cute, Gus. Shorter than I thought she would be.”
“Why does it matter how tall she is?”
“It doesn’t. I’ve always pictured you with someone tall, like Adelia, though. I guess because you’ve always gone out with tall girls. But you look good together. Like a perfect fit.”
“Thanks. I think so.”
Skylar looked him over. “You’ve obviously been making the most of your time in California. Getting plenty of sun, I see.”
“Better than all this snow and clouds for months.”
“You miss it here and you know it.”
He snorted just as Merritt returned to the room, carrying a gift bag.
“This is for you.” She handed the bag to Skylar. “Just some product I thought you might like.”
Skylar took it and looked inside. Her mouth fell open and her eyes darted back and forth between Merritt and the contents of the bag. “Are you kidding me? This is amazing.” She grabbed Merritt and pulled her into another hug. “Thank you. You are the best sister-in-law ever.”
Merritt smiled. “You’re welcome.”
She returned to Gus’s side when Skylar released her, and Gus put his arm around behind her waist.
Mom showed up in the doorway then. “Your father called to tell me he’ll be late and to start without him.”
Gus was annoyed. He had been gone for three months and had brought his new wife home to meet them, and Dad couldn’t even bother to get there in time for dinner. He knew his father had responsibilities, but he also knew that if it had been Sebastian, he would have done everything in his power to be there to welcome him home.
Being the least favorite child sucked.
SIXTEEN
Gus seemed on edge. Merritt knew the issues with his family were no doubt the reason for that strange look on his face earlier. But ever since he found out his dad would be late for dinner, she could feel the tension rolling off of him. She held onto his hand tightly, hoping maybe that would help.
A week ago, she couldn’t have cared less about his feelings, but now, it bothered her that he was upset. How had that happened?
“I’d love to hear how you two met,” Gus’s mother said.
Harriet Schultz was a lovely woman with the same sandy brown hair and hazel eyes as Gus. And she truly was the sweetest woman, going out of her way to make sure Merritt felt welcomed from the moment she walked through the door.