Page 23

ANDY

Meeting the parents is usually terrifying, but the older I get, the less fear I have.

I know I’m a good person who treats my partners well.

I know that despite working him to the bone, Trevor adores his parents.

I don’t think they’re bad people at all, so I’m going into this meeting with an open mind.

“Sweetheart.” I grin when I open my door to Trevor’s sweet face. He’s not exactly dressed up, and he texted me to make sure I knew this meeting wasn’t formal or anything and to dress comfortably. He’s in a pair of shorts and a clean slate blue t-shirt that makes his blue-gray eyes pop.

“Ready?” Trevor grabs my hand.

I have to remind him to slow down a few times because he speeds up as if he wants to get things over with.

“Sweetheart, look at me.” He spins to face me. His pretty face red with either the heat or embarrassment, I’m not sure. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“I know,” he mumbles and shuffles on his feet.

“Can I kiss you?” I’m not sure how he feels about public affection, but he nods.

I kiss him softly, making him sigh contently. He softens and slowly he opens his eyes again.

“There we are. Everything is going to be okay.”

“Thank you.” He drops his head to my shoulder. “I really want them to like you.”

“I know, and I’ll do my best to show them how much I adore you.” I kiss the side of his head and tip his chin up.

We take the steps and have to wait behind a few other guests. Trevor doesn’t say if any of them are his parents.

“Trevor! Ah, who is this?” A woman with brown hair in a high ponytail comes up behind us. She’s with a guy that is definitely Trevor’s dad.

“Mom! Dad!”

Trevor gets his eyes from his dad, for sure. But that soft curl wavy hair is from his mother.

Trevor introduces us all. Dad is Henry. Mom is Lisa. They give us both hugs. Both are warm with nice smiles. I feel welcome in their presence.

The host seats us and Lisa starts with the questions. Where I’m from? What do I do for a living? How did Trevor and I meet?

Trevor shoots me a wide-eyed look. We’ve never discussed this.

“We met at a club,” Trevor says. Probably hoping Lisa would drop it.

She wrinkles her nose. “A club? I didn’t know you went out dancing. You never?—”

Trevor takes a breath and blows it out. “Not a dance club.”

Henry’s eyes go wide, then he smirks. I’m pretty sure he figured it out.

“What kind of club if not a dance club?” Lisa looks between the two of us.

Trevor squirms, but we’re saved by the server bringing our drinks. Or so I thought.

“What kind of club, Trev?” Lisa takes a sip of her strawberry lemonade.

“Just a club,” he mumbles.

“So,” Henry turns to me. “What made you want to be an attorney?”

I laugh, but answer his question. “The debate team in high school. My teacher said I’d be great at it and she helped me find the resources I needed to get there.

Being an attorney is a challenge, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I started a firm with my best friend and honestly, without him, I don’t think I’d be thriving.

I also wouldn’t be here today.” I point to the table and explain what happened.

From my client to Kevin giving me the ultimatum.

Lisa’s face drops. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.” She reaches for my hand and gives it a pat. It’s such a mom thing to do. “What about your parents? Did they help you through any of this at all?”

I swipe a hand through my hair. Trevor squeezes my hand.

I hate talking about this. “I grew up in the system. Bounced from family to family, but I never let it get me down. Fought my way through to get where I am today. Dunno who my parents are. My birth mom gave me up to a firehouse a few days after I was born. But I met Kevin at school. He really kept me grounded and taught me a lot about family. We went to college together and started the firm after a few years of getting our feet under ourselves.”

Trevor threads our fingers together and leans against me. His gentle weight calms my heart.

“You can call us family,” Lisa says.

Henry nods. “We’re a little broken, but there’s still so much love.”

Lisa gives him a gentle small smile and reaches for him.

We move on to easier topics. Lisa is thrilled about the concierge proposal.

I don’t know why it surprises me, but it does.

She ends up spilling the beans about feeding the raccoons at the old house.

Henry confesses he knew all along. He just wanted his wife and son happy.

There’s so much love in deed. When we part, I get a hug from Lisa and Henry.

They bid us good night and leave together.

“That wasn’t bad, right?” Trevor asks on our way back to the hotel.

“It was lovely.” I press a kiss to his knuckles, loving his sweet blush.

We’re quiet on the walk back to the hotel. My brain is calm compared to other times I’ve met my partner’s parents. Lisa and Henry accepted me immediately. They welcomed me to their family even though the relationship is still so new.

I’m lost in my happy bubble when Trevor says my name with a laugh.

“Hmmm? I was in la la land.”

“It’s okay. I was just wondering if you’d like to go to the carnival when I get off tomorrow.”

“I’d love to, but aren’t you sick of it?” I kiss the tip of his nose.

He shakes his head. “I’ve never just gone to the carnival to enjoy it. Never ridden any of the rides, only learned how to operate them. Only played the games to learn how to sell them. I think it’d be fun to go like a tourist.”

“Sounds like we’re both playing tourist tomorrow.”

He squeals and bounces on his toes. “Thank you, Daddy!”

“Would you like to come up and listen to a story?” I ask.

“I would, but…” He chews on his bottom lip again. “I need to get through some chores. My laundry is piling up and my room is a mess. I can’t invite you over sometime if my place looks like a gremlin took over.”

I snort and pull him close. “I don’t care what your place looks like, but I’m honored you’re thinking about inviting me over.”

“It’s not much, but it’s mine. But you can’t come over until I clean it up. I promise I’m usually more respectful of my place. I just got overwhelmed, and now I need to clean it.”

“I get it. I’ll pop into the live music at the lounge tonight. It sounds good.”

“Robbie is amazing. And I think Callie is with him tonight. They always put on a good show.” His shoulders drop. “Oh, now I want to join you, but I need to be good and do my chores.”

I tip his chin up. “You know I won’t force you to do your chores if it means you spend time with me.”

He rubs his head on my shoulder. “I know. But we can’t glue ourselves together, it’s not healthy. But I’m getting attached.”

“So am I, sweetheart. You’re too sweet to resist.” My hand sinks into his hair and his eyes shutter closed when our lips meet.

If I could stay like this for eternity, I’d die happy. Too soon, the kiss ends.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Daddy.” Another sweet peck to my cheek and he turns to leave.