Page 35

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

J enn’s shoulders were stiff, her stomach in knots, and she hoped Doug didn’t notice her distress.

Since high school, the only other time she’d met a boyfriend’s parents was when she and Cole were dating, and his folks visited the University of Tampa’s campus for a family day.

They were nice, but that was the first and last time she’d seen them since they lived outside of Chicago.

Now, she was in the passenger seat of Doug’s truck on their way to his parents’ house for Sunday dinner.

His grandmother, his sisters and their spouses, and his nieces and nephews would also be there.

Insecurities flooded her mind. What if they didn’t like her?

What if they thought she was too young for Doug?

Had she dressed okay? Was her outfit not formal enough for dinner?

She brushed a piece of lint off the cute navy-blue capris she’d paired with a conservative but fashionable baby-blue top and red espadrille wedges.

Some understated makeup and jewelry completed the look.

Her top’s right sleeve covered most of the still noticeable and ugly bruise on her upper arm, which had turned yellow and green as it healed.

All her other cuts and bruises were gone, and her cast was due to be removed the following week.

Somehow, after Doug was shot protecting her, she hadn’t run into any of his family when she visited him twice in the hospital before he was released.

Now, she wished she had so they wouldn’t be complete strangers to her.

She knew Doug was close to his family, seeing them often and having lunch with his grandmother at least once a week at her assisted living facility.

Would the older woman approve of Jenn? What if she didn’t?

Maybe I should’ve worn that white and brown dress instead of capris. Ugh.

As she tried to rid her mind of all the negativity, she let out an exasperated sigh. Doug reached over and linked their pinkie fingers together. With her cast in place, he couldn’t hold her hand. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m nervous,” she confessed.

He smiled at her before returning his attention to the road.

“There’s nothing to be nervous about. I told my mom all about you, our age difference, how I was an idiot for not seeing what was right in front of me, how I’m head over heels in love with you, and everything.

She can’t wait to meet you. The same goes for my sisters and grandma.

My dad and brothers-in-law are all laid-back and not as nosy, so you have nothing to worry about with them.

Listen, I know it’ll be a little overwhelming at first—I’m sure they’ll ask you dozens of questions—but trust me when I say your extended family is far worse. ”

A wry laugh escaped her. “Nobody is as bad as my family. Did I tell you that Uncle Marco and Uncle Brody wanted to sit you down and ask you about your intentions ? Yes, that’s the word they used—as if this were the 1950s.

They also threatened a shotgun wedding even though I’m not pregnant.

I shut that stuff down quickly and told them that if they did either of those things, I wouldn’t babysit for them anymore.

Not that I would go through with it because I love when Zane, Mara, and Luca come to visit, but they didn’t need to know that. Anyway, they backed off.”

“They mentioned the shotgun to me too. I think they just like busting our chops. They all still give me shit whenever I mention you, but it’s no big deal. It just proves they love and care about you. They’ll get over it sooner or later.”

“Hopefully, sooner. Oh, I forgot to tell you.” She turned a bit in her seat to look at him.

“The charity that organizes Dr. Sanchez’s volunteers sent me an email.

Next month, since the funeral was private, Margie’s family is holding a memorial for her in Albuquerque, and they’ve invited the volunteers who worked with her at the commune.

It’s on a Saturday. I told Uncle Ian that I wanted to attend, and he said Clinton could fly me out there if the jet wasn’t needed for anything.

If it is, I’ll get a plane ticket. I’d like you to go with me, if you want. ”

He gently squeezed her pinkie. “I’d be honored to go with you. It’s nice that her family wants you all there. Just give me the date so I can add it to the schedule. If we can, we’ll make it a long weekend and go sightseeing or something.”

“That would be awesome. I’ve never been to New Mexico.”

“Neither have I.”

She settled back in her seat. “Oh, and Tony called to check up on me. He said he got the email, too, and plans to be there if he can get the day before it off.” Doug growled, causing Jenn to giggle. “What’s wrong with Tony? He’s a nice guy.”

“Who wanted to get into your pants!”

“What?” She playfully slapped his bicep with her free hand. “You idiot. Tony’s gay.”

His gaze whipped to hers. “Huh?”

“Yes, my sweet, jealous boyfriend. God, I love calling you that—the boyfriend part.” He liked hearing it.

“But yes, Tony is gay. If anything, he wanted to get into your pants or Romeo’s, not mine.

He’s heading home next week because the school year opens soon, and I hope he finds someone special.

His last partner dumped him by email while we were in Colombia after they were together for two years. ”

“What a douche. His partner, not him...Tony. It sucks that happened to him.”

She smirked because apparently, he now agreed that Tony was nice since he wasn’t interested in the female sex, especially Jenn. “Exactly. I told him good riddance.”

Their conversation had a calming effect on her, but when Doug pulled up to a house in Tarpoon Springs and parked beside the curb, her gut twisted again. “Oh, God. We’re here.”

After turning off the engine, Doug leaned over and kissed her gently. “You’ll be fine. I promise. Just be yourself, and they’ll love you.”

She wished she felt as confident as he did. “Right. Well, here goes nothing.”

Shaking his head and smiling, he opened the driver’s door, climbed out, and rushed around to open her door.

Her heart fluttered when he held out his hand to help her down from the elevated truck seat.

Yup, he was still a Dom-unaware. Her parents would’ve loved him and all his gentlemanly gestures toward her.

He opened doors, pulled out chairs for her to sit, walked between her and the street whenever they were on a sidewalk, and did many other things that showed how much he loved and cherished her.

Over the years, she’d watched her uncles perform similar acts with their partners, and she knew the man she gave her heart to would have to be cut from the same cloth.

In return, Jenn treated Doug as if he’d hung the moon. She loved cooking and doing special things to show him how much she adored him. They might not live the BDSM lifestyle, but the mutual respect and care they showed each other could rival any couple who did.

After shutting the passenger door, Doug opened the one behind it and handed Jenn a bakery box while he carried another.

They’d picked up desserts at Fancy’s on their way to meet his family.

Cupping Jenn’s elbow, Doug led her up the walkway to the front door, which opened before they reached it.

An older couple stood there, beaming at them, and Jenn gulped.

They had to be his parents. She hoped her attempt to put on a sunny expression belied her anxiety.

“It’s about time you got here,” Doug’s mother said as she stepped out onto the small porch and opened her arms.

Doug released Jenn’s elbow and gave his mother a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“Hi, Mom. Hey, Dad.” He stepped aside and pivoted to face her, giving her an encouraging smile.

“This is Jennifer Mullins, the incredible woman I’ve been telling you about.

Jenn, these are my folks, Eleanor and Owen Henderson. ”

Before Jenn could get a word out, his mother stepped forward and embraced her. “It’s so nice to meet you finally, Jennifer.” She leaned back to look her in the face. “Please, call me Ellie.”

She grinned, thinking her own mother would’ve greeted Doug in the same way. “It’s nice to finally meet you, too, Ellie. And you can call me Jenn. Everyone does.”

“Nice to meet you, Jenn. Let me take that from you.” Owen opened the door further to let her in, took the bakery box, and offered his elbow to her.

“Let’s get you inside and introduce you to the rest of the family before they burst. They’ve been waiting a long time for Doug to finally bring home a woman he’s dating. ”

Her eyes widened as she placed her hand in the crook of the older man’s elbow and glanced over her shoulder at Doug, who shrugged apologetically. He’d never brought someone home to meet his family? How did she not know that?

Great. Now, the knots in her stomach became flying bats, which seemed to be creating their own little tornado.

She was led into a large living room filled with three couples and one elderly, slender woman.

Except for the latter, they all stood. The men smiled warmly at her, but it was the women who caught her attention.

Their expressions were filled with a combination of glee and curiosity.

Owen patted her hand and then released it.

“Everyone, this is Jenn Mullins. Give her a few minutes to get used to us before you start bombarding her with questions.” He leaned toward Jenn, gave her a wink, and stage whispered, “They can be a loud and nosy bunch, but they don’t bite. ”

She smiled at his attempt to put her at ease, as he gestured toward the older woman. “Jenn, this is Doug’s Nana, my mother, Janice Henderson.”

With a twinkle in her eye, the woman smiled at Jenn and held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear.”