Page 34 of Nicks and Cuts

Oh, he was surprised, but not in the good way. He wasn’t sure there was a good way to be surprised anymore.

She pulled him into a hug even though he was sweaty and hot and still stunned. It took him a moment to respond. “I didn’t expect you to come and see me.”

The whole point was to get away until he felt settled and stable.

“That’s why it’s a surprise.” She stepped back and frowned. “What are you doing in there? What kind of place is this?”

“I’m renting a room while I look for something more permanent, and the homeowner is a knife maker. He invited me to join one of his classes.” That already felt like too much information to give his mother, as she would already be creating a story.

“Oh…”

“That’s not like you to want to get your hands dirty,” his father said.

Shannon glared at him and extricated himself from his mother’s arms.

“Not in that way,” his father finished. “This is a bit out of the way for you.”

He didn’t want to continue this conversation so close to the workshop, but he didn’t want to invite them inside either. “Why don’t we go and sit on the deck?”

He didn’t take them through the mudroom in the kitchen, instead walking them around the outside. Once they were settled, he went in and grabbed a jug of iced water and glasses. He’d rather be back in the workshop finishing his cheeseboard.

“So this is Foggy Basin,” his mother took a sip of water.

“Yes. There is a bigger town about half an hour away; that’s where the hospital is.”

“You aren’t bored yet?” his father pressed.

Shannon drew in a breath. “No, I’ve been really enjoying the change of scenery.”

His parents shared a glance.

Were they disappointed he wasn’t complaining about making the biggest mistake of his life?

His mother gave him a small smile. “You don’t have to pretend that everything is okay. If you want to come home, you can stay with us for a bit until you find your feet.”

Shannon laughed, then realized she was serious. There were about a thousand options he would take before moving back home. “I’m not pretending. I’m enjoying my job and the people I work with, and while I haven’t found a suitable rental yet, one will turn up. Until then, I’m staying here.”

“It’s so rural,” his father said.

“Yes.” He’d thought much the same and compared to LA it was.

“Is there any kind of social life?” His mother pressed.

There was, but he hadn’t been indulging. “The first weekend I was here was their Pride event, then there’s the local bar, and various clubs. I’ve joined a gym.” Which technically wasn’t a lie because he was going to a gym. “I’ve had breakfast with some coworkers when we get off shift and drinks a few times.”

He wasn’t being a complete hermit, even though he lived with one.

His mother pushed his knee. “You know the kind of social life I mean.”

He wanted to plead ignorance, but it was easier to just answer her. “Mom, I moved to concentrate on myself, not throw myself back into the dating pool.”

Technically, that was also not a lie because he wasn’t dating anyone. He had gone on zero dates. Unless he included the way they made dinner together, or breakfast, or how Dante would have an afternoon coffee with him before he started night shift, or the way they would watch a movie together curled up on the sofa like they’d been doing it for years.

“You’re really happy here?” Mom asked as if she didn’t believe a word he was saying.

“Yes. I know that’s hard for you to believe given what my life was like before, but I’m not in a rush to move back.” He wanted to stand up and tell them it had been a good chat, but he needed to get back to his workshop…however, they had driven all the way down. “Are you planning on heading back tonight or have you booked accommodation?”

That glance again. He pressed his lips together as an annoyance tightened his chest.