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Mom is wide-eyed. “That’s terrible. And it doesn’t seem like him. I mean, we didn’t know him very well, but from what we did know of him, that’s shocking.”
“Chloe was pretty shocked too,” Derek mutters, sipping his drink.
“I’m not interested in getting caught up in the past,” I say, grabbing Derek’s knee. “Or gossiping about other peoples’ business.” Derek puts his hand on mine and weaves our fingers together as I keep talking. “I wanted to come and talk to you about the gossip blog. And to apologize if it causes nonsense for you to have to deal with.”
Derek pipes up. “I was planning to take her on a honeymoon but with the gossip and the fact that she didn’t want you both to find out from someone other than herself, we’ll reschedule that after my parents’ fortieth anniversary celebration, which is this coming weekend. Any chance you two can get down to Columbus and join us on Saturday night? I’d love for you to meet the whole family.”
Oh God, no!
“Well, um…” Mom looks awkwardly at Dad.
I speak quickly. “No, no. I told Derek you guys would prefer to meet my inlaws in a much more lowkey, intimate way versus a party for four hundred.”
“Four hundred?” Mom asks.
“At least,” I say.
“Yes, that… low key is probably better,” Mom says.
“Ah, too bad,” Derek says, then takes another sip of his coffee. “Well, we should hit the road. We didn’t intend to barge in on you both unannounced so late and it’s a long drive back to Dublin.”
“You could stay in Chloe’s old room if you prefer,” Dad pipes up.
Derek looks agreeable to that.
Oh no. Hell, no. Mom shoots Dad a look that says this is the last thing she wants sprung on her out of the blue on a weeknight.
“No, no, that’s okay,” I get to my feet. “You both have work tomorrow. We should go.”
Derek gets up. So do my parents as he says, “We appreciate the offer. Well then, we’ll have to have you over for a weekend once we finish settling in at the new place.”
“That sounds lovely,” replies my mom, politely. “We’d love you to stay any time, but you two got married today. Surely you don’t want to stay here tonight.”
“Good point,” Derek says with a sheepish grin.
I want to crawl into a hole and die.
She gives me a quick hug. Dad gives me more of a bear hug. And I want to sink into it and never get out of it. But I reluctantly let go, unable to stop myself from getting a little misty-eyed, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
“I’ll talk to you guys soon,” I say.
“Congratulations, Chloe. Derek,” Mom says.
“Thanks, Mrs. Turner. I mean Pam. Please do your best to just ignore any online gossip. My family’s PR team is all over this. Our legal team will be, too, if needed. It’ll settle down, not to worry, but if you need anything, here’s my card.” He passes Dad a business card. “Good to meet you both.”
He must have slipped that in his pocket before we came in.
Dad accepts it and then opens his arms toward me.
“One more,” Dad declares, his voice a little gruff.
I step into another hug. “Congratulations, kiddo. Coulda knocked me over with a feather, but as long as you’re happy, that’s all we want.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Derek shakes my father’s hand and kisses my mother’s cheek.
Mom’s eyes hit mine and widen and then she hesitantly smiles.
