My phone buzzed, vibrating against my thigh. I dried my hands briskly on the towel, retrieving the phone to see mystepmom’s name flashing on the screen. As I read her text, my face dropped, an involuntary groan escaping my lips.
“Everything okay?” Marc asked, noting my change in expression.
I sighed. “It’s Tina, my stepmom. She wants me to come to Fredericksburg this weekend for my dad’s birthday lunch. Says it would mean a lot to him if I was there.”
Marc paused, setting the dishtowel aside and turning fully toward me. “Sounds like things haven’t changed between you and your dad, huh?”
I shrugged. “I don’t think we’ll ever be close, not the way you are with your family. He’s always been distant and critical and I’m tired of trying to measure up to who he wanted me to be.”
Marc placed a gentle hand on my arm, his touch soothing me. “I’m sorry. That must be tough. Does that mean you’re not gonna go?”
I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. “Not sure. I might if my sister is there, she and I always got along. But after what we’ve been through these past few weeks, I’m not sure I can sit there and listen to him talk shit about my choice of career.”
Marc pressed a kiss to my temple, his strong arms encircling me. “You’re an incredible person with a heart of gold. And what you do is the most important work anyone can do.” He turned his head and kissed my nose. “If you want, I’ll go with you to the birthday lunch. For moral support.”
I lifted my head, searching his eyes. “Really? You’d do that for me?”
He smiled softly, cupping my cheek. “Of course. You’ve been there for me and Mia through everything. Let me be there for you now.”
I surged forward, capturing his lips in a grateful kiss. “Thank you,” I whispered against his mouth. “I love you, big guy.”
Marc laughed, wrapping an arm around me. “I love you too, Kenny. Always.”
***
Gravel crunched underfoot as we stepped down from Marc’s truck in the parking lot of the winery where we were all meeting for lunch. Ahead, rows of grapevines stretched into the horizon, creating a patchwork of greens and golds.
As we headed towards the building’s entrance, I reached out and caught Marc’s hand in mine, interlacing our fingers. His palm was warm and calloused against my own, a satisfying anchor against those nerves that snuck up on me whenever I was around my dad.
A smiling hostess led us through the rustic tasting room and out to a covered patio. White linen tablecloths fluttered in the breeze, adorned with elegant floral centerpieces. The air was filled with the clink of glasses and the hum of conversation.
Marc whistled low. “This place is sweet,” he murmured, his eyes on the vineyards below.
I chuckled as we walked past a buffet table laden with gourmet food. Then I spotted them—Tina, my stepmom, sitting with my sister Caroline, their heads bent together in conversation near the railing.
I tightened my grip on Marc’s hand, the firm pressure of his fingers supporting me as we moved closer. Tina looked up, her eyes widening slightly as she took in our joined hands.
“Ken, darling!” She stepped forward, wearing a knee-length cream dress that matched her ash-blonde hair, and air-kissed my cheek. “So glad you made it.”
“Hi.” I smiled tightly. “This is my boyfriend, Marc. Marc, this is Tina Parker, my stepmom, and my sister, Caroline.”
Caroline gave me a hug. Her hair, the same color as mine, cascaded down her back in carefree, loose curls that reminded me of Mia. “Ken Doll, you came! I thought you might try to get out of this.”
I hugged her back, rolling my eyes at my childhood nickname. “Good to see you, Sis.”
Then they both turned toward Marc, who extended his free hand, shaking theirs warmly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Ken has told me so much about you.”
Tina’s gaze flicked between us, her eyes a deep shade of blue, her expression inscrutable. “Well, isn’t this a surprise? I had no idea Ken was seeing anyone.”
I bristled at her tone, but before I responded, Caroline chimed in. “It’s great to meet you, Marc. I can’t wait to hear everything about you.”
I shot her a grateful look as Marc thanked her, the pressure in my shoulders easing slightly. At least I had one ally here. The rest of the afternoon might be a minefield of loaded questions and thinly veiled criticism, but with Marc by my side, I could face anything.
Even my own family. “Where’s Dad?” I asked glancing around.
“He and Jerry are around here somewhere, looking at the vineyard,” Caroline said. “Jerry’s my husband,” she explained to Marc as we sat down next to them.
“So, Marc, what is it that you do?” Tina asked, her voice dripping with polite curiosity. I tensed, bracing myself for her reaction to his blue-collar jobs.
