Please tell me that Justin has met my parents more than two times.
“No, there was that time you stopped by the house to get a paddleboard, and we spoke for ten minutes. Then, when we accidentally ran into you at Tiki Taco.”
Huh.
Two times.
And one of them was an accident.
Something about that doesn’t sit well in my stomach.
“Well, don’t worry. Justin will be at everything next week, and you’ll have plenty of time to get to know him.” Even as I say the words, I know I’m beingwayyytoo optimistic. Justin only confirmed attendance for Thanksgiving dinner, nothing else. But part of me hopes I can change his mind between now and then or that I can convince my family that he really is a good guy who loves me.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” my mom huffs.
“Tell me about the blankets.” Anna crosses one leg over the other, eyeing the All-Weather Blanket I currently have wrapped around me.
I glance down, gladly accepting the change of subject. “It’s tarp material on the outside, so that snow and water can never get through, and then a plush blanket on the inside to keep you warm.”
“Are you warm?” Juliet asks.
“Yeah.”
“Is it heavy?” Hailey leans over, feeling the tarp fabric between her two fingers. “It looks heavy.”
“A little.”
“Well, they’re ugly as sin,” Aunt Carma grunts.
“But maybe that’s good,” Erin offers. “If the blankets are ugly, maybe the business will fail, and then Justin can spend time with you.”
“I want to buy a blanket before he goes out of business.” Hailey looks at Anna. “They’d be great to take to a cold soccer game.”
“I’m not buying one.” My mom shakes her head. “I’m not supporting something that makes my baby girl sad.”
“Fine!” Aunt Carma slaps the table, startling all of us. “I’ll invest in the blankets. I want sixty percent of the business.”
My dad lowers his paper. “Carma, quit giving away money you don’t have.” He lifts the paper back up, walling us out again.
“Justin is not going out of business. And I’m not sad.”
Actually, maybe I am.
Or maybe I’m lonely.
It’s either that or I’m premenstrual.
There must be some explanation for the half-pan of brownies I ate last night after I left Justin’s house, or the fact that I didn’t enjoy Christmas tree hunting today like I normally do.
But I can’t tell my family I’m sad.
They’ll never like Justin if I start sharing my real feelings and fears about our relationship. Because when Justin and I are good, we’regood—the complete fairytale. I just need to buy some time until we can get back to that spot, and my family can learn for themselves how great he is. Once they do, I know they’ll love him as much as I do.
Patience.
Apparently, it’s a virtue.
Peter runs up, giving me a hug. “Summer, come play tag with us.”
