Page 45 of Beautiful Trauma
Henry started giggling, and I realized they were quoting the movie he loved so much.
As charming as this scene was, I really wanted them to leave. “Mom. Dad,” I said with exaggerated patience. “Can we please talk about the movie later?”
“Sure, we can,” Mom said breezily. “How does Sunday night at five o’clock sound to you?”
“Sure,” I said, willing to agree to anything at that point just so they’d leave.
“Good. Bring your boyfriend with the cute giggle with you,” Mom said, smiling because I’d fallen into her trap.
I could see Henry shaking his head out of my peripheral vision, but I ignored him. “Absolutely.”
“It’s settled then,” Dad said. “We’re looking forward to meeting him. Goodnight, Ezra and Ezra’s boyfriend,” Dad said, placing his hand on Mom’s waist and guiding her back toward the door.
“Goodnight,” Mom echoed.
“Night,” I said.
“Um, goodnight,” Henry said timidly.
I heard my parents whispering back and forth but couldn’t make out what they were saying. I waited for them to drop my phone and spare key on the table and let themselves out before returning my focus to Henry.
“Does that answer satisfy your question? Yes, I want more with you.”
“Don’t you think going from secret romps to calling me your boyfriend and taking me home to meet the parents is a big jump?” Henry asked, looking and sounding shell-shocked.
“You were never just a romp, Henry, and no, I don’t think it’s a big jump. I think it feels right.”
“But they might not like me and—”
I cut his protests off with a long kiss, not stopping until we were both breathless. “They’re going to adore you, Henry.”
“How can you be sure?”
His vulnerability flayed me. “Because who wouldn’t adore you, baby?”
Henry swallowed and I saw how badly he wanted to believe me. “Do you honestly want me to meet your parents, Ezra?”
“I do,” I replied with conviction. “I didn’t just say it because my mom put me on the spot. No one forced me to call you my boyfriend. It slipped out naturally because it felt right. I don’t know how this is going to work yet, but I know that I want it to.”
Henry nodded. “I want it to too.”
After kissing his forehead, I asked, “Do you know what this means?”
“I have two days to freak the hell out over meeting them?”
I shook my head. “My score just went up.”
Henry rolled his eyes. “Fine. Henry: twenty-five; Ezra: two.”
“You agreed to be my boyfriendandmeet my parents. Henry: twenty-five; Ezra: three.”
WHENEZRA ARRIVED AT MYapartment to pick me up, Jessie escorted him to my room, threw open the door, and said, “Fix him! He’s been like this since Maria dropped him off after church. I would’ve called nine-one-one, but I recognize a nonemergency freak-out when I see one.” Jessie shut the door solidly, leaving us alone in my room.
“I don’t feel too good, Ezra.” It was a massive understatement. I felt like I needed to throw up except my nerves had prevented me from eating all day. My pulse pounded at my temples, throbbing in tempo with my racing heart. “Maybe you should go to dinner at your parents’ house without me.”
“Henry,” Ezra said, crossing the room to stand beside my bed. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s not wrong?” I asked. “I can’t find anything decent to wear, I can’t get my hair to look right, and I look like I’m about fifteen years old. Your parents are going to think you’re having a midlife crisis when they meet me.”