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Chapter 26
Will
“They’re gonna ask about my teeth, aren’t they?”
I glance over at Jovie in the passenger seat. “Yeah, probably,” I answer.
She shakes her head and flips down the visor to check her reflection one more time in the mirror. “Classic Myers.”
I take my eyes off the road to look at her just a little bit longer. Jovie could roll out of a hammock into a patch of dirt and still stand up looking majestic but she took the time to make herself presentable tonight. I didn’t say anything about it. The thought of Jovie taking our engagement seriously warms the blood in my veins and the last thing I want to do is spook her off.
I might be in a little denial. This isn’t real. I know that.
But a man can pretend.
I turn onto my parents’ street. “So, here’s the plan,” I say. “We go in, play it cool. Mom will offer us drinks, Dad will grunt a conversation. We’ll sit down for dinner and I’ll say we have news. At that point, it’ll be all smiles and celebration. My parents are pretty predictable.”
Jovie sits back in her seat. “Sounds like a bit of awkward fun.”
“We might have to field a few questions.”
“About what?”
“Our relationship. Why we’re moving so fast.” I pause. “Where you’ve been.”
She stares straight ahead. “We’ll think of something.”
I park in the driveway and flick my seatbelt free but Jovie doesn’t budge. Her eyes flick softly as she scans the house.
“Jove?” I ask.
She looks at me. “Hmm?”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. Just… haven’t been here in a while.”
From what I know, the last time she was here, she slipped that note in my window on her way out of town. A little bit of suppressed panic lingers behind Jovie’s eyes.
I reach out and take her cold hand. “Come on,” I say. “Mom’s really excited to see you again.”
Jovie nods and crawls her other hand toward her seatbelt.
We get out and walk to the front door hand-in-hand. Each step pumps a bit more excitement into me. Me and Jovie. Jovie and me. Together again. I imagined this night years ago when I bought the ring. The two of us sitting down with my parents and announcing the big news. Laughter and champagne. Dad patting me on the back while Mom pulled Jovie aside for a little girl talk.
I knock twice on the door with my free hand and Jovie’s fingers relax in my palm.
She looks at me and smiles. My Jovie.
The lock slides free, the door opens, and Jovie’s grip tightens until I feel my knuckles pop. Her cheeks turn white and my guts slide downward into the tips of my toes.
“Hey, guys.”
Sara stands in the doorway with a half-full wineglass clenched in her hand. Her eyes flick between us but her stare lingers longer on Jovie.
“Sara…” I swallow. “What are you doing here?”
“Mom invited me.” She steps to the side. “The two of you were dropping by and she’s been dying for a dinner party… so… here I am. That’s not a problem, is it?”
