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“Weird.”
“Do you know something about that?”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
I playfully pushed against his chest. “What did you do?”
“Maybe I happened to mention to Rob Landon that the cockmuppet was still a problem. And maybe he’s the current captain of the Squirrel Protection Squad.”
“The SPS has a captain now?”
“Yeah, they’re surprisingly organized.”
“They do realize there aren’t any squirrels involved, right?”
“What does that have to do with it?”
I laughed. That was true. Only in Tilikum.
“I know this is last minute, but I talked to my mom a little bit ago and she invited us to come over for dinner tonight. Are you up for it?”
“I’d love to.”
“You’re sure? I can reschedule if you’re tired.”
“I’m sure.” I glanced down at my feet. “Although I’d like to change my shoes. Do we have time to run home?”
“Yeah. You can change into pajamas and slippers if you want. It’s just my parents.”
That made me smile. I’d been in pajamas and slippers at the Havens’ house hundreds of times growing up.
I finished cleaning up and we left. On the way home, I asked about Zachary’s day. He’d stopped by the salon to have lunch with me, but spent the rest of his day working on a rewiring project for the hardware store. So far it was going well and he assured me that after the incident at my salon, he was careful to triple check everything before he got to work.
At home, I took a few minutes to change into a sweater, jeans, and comfortable shoes. Not quite pajamas and slippers, but comfortable enough for a casual dinner with my boyfriend’s family. I touched up my makeup, grabbed a bottle of wine from the kitchen to give to Marlene, and we headed out again.
Anticipation, and maybe even nervousness, swirled in my stomach as we drove to Zachary’s parents’ house. Growing up with Annika, I’d been there more times than I could count. But this was different. It was the first time I’d be walking in the door at Zachary’s side—as his girlfriend.
It was my teenage fantasy come true. Only better.
The log home the Havens had grown up in was rustic and cozy. I loved it there. Family photos adorned the walls and mantle, the furniture was comfortable, and Marlene’s handmade throw blankets were everywhere. We walked in and the scent of beef stew and fresh baked bread filled the air.
I’d never lived there, but somehow it still smelled like home.
Zachary shut the door behind us, then took my hand and led me inside. Paul and Marlene were both in the kitchen prepping dinner, Marlene dressed in a sweater with her hair up and Paul in his usual flannel.
The flannels were such a Haven thing. Even Zachary was wearing one.
“About time,” Paul grumbled as he looked up from slicing bread. “I’ve been smelling this all day.”
Marlene rolled her eyes and nudged him with her elbow. “Stop. You’re fine.”
“Not my fault you know how to drive a man crazy,” he said with a slight smile.
My parents were adorable, but Paul and Marlene were the epitome of couple goals. They hadn’t sailed into marriage after a lifetime of friendship. They’d both been hurt and managed to pick up the broken pieces of their lives and put them back together in a new family. That had to have come with challenges, but they’d fought for it. I’d always admired them, even when I’d been too young to understand why.
“Dad, don’t be gross,” Zachary said.
“I’m so glad you were able to make it,” Marlene said, ignoring her son. “I can’t seem to figure out how to cook stew for just two people.”
