“Wait. It’s not what you think.”
“How is it then?”
I take a few minutes to update her on Molly, Laney, and the unbearably awkward drink Ben and I had with Laney last night. When I finish, she remains silent, making my stomach twist. With Seb being the only one in my family supporting Ben and me, I need my mom on my side more than ever.
“Mom,” I prompt when she still hasn’t said anything.
“Everyone has a past sweetheart, but it sounds more than a little complicated.”
“I think he could be the one. I’m really falling for him.”
She reaches for my free hand and squeezes gently. “Then you have to follow your heart, sweetie.”
“His daughter hates me,” I whisper.
She shakes her head. “No, she doesn’t. She only thinks she does.”
I raise my eyebrows. “I’m pretty sure that’s the same thing.”
“It’s not. Give her some time. She’ll soon see how incredible you are.”
“I wish I had your optimism.”
“Her dad can obviously see it. She’ll come around.”
“Thanks for listening, Mom.”
“Always, honey. We all just want the best for you.” She leans across and presses a kiss on my cheek. "I can’t wait to meet the man who’s stolen your heart," she says with a smile. "I should go check on dinner."
She leaves the room, and I sink back onto the sofa with a sigh. I’m still anxious about Ben meeting everyone properly, but having my mom’s support makes it a little easier.
Ben
“I'm home!”I call out as I close the front door behind me, dropping my bag in the entryway. “Laney, are you here?”
She shouldn’t be anywhere else after being grounded last night. I head into the kitchen. Empty. The living room. Empty too. Taking the stairs two at a time, I breathe a sigh of relief when I hear music coming from her room. I knock on the door and step inside.
“Hey, did you eat yet?” I ask.
She nods. “Yeah, I stopped by Grams and Gramps’ place after school and had some of Grams' meatloaf.”
“Good. You remember I'm out tonight?” I told her this morning about dinner with Ash’s family, but she wasn’t in a great mood, so I’m not sure it stuck.
She scowls. “How could I forget?”
I choose to ignore her sarcastic comment. “I’m going to shower. I’ll come and say bye before I go.”
She waves me off dismissively, and I leave her scowling in her room.
I take a quick shower, not wanting to linger under the water overthinking tonight. Seeing Ash’s family again makes me uneasy, but for her sake, I hope it goes well. I know how much their approval of our relationship means to her.
I poke my head into Laney’s room and say goodbye, but her silence speaks volumes about how she feels. As if meeting everyone tonight wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, I can’t shake the guilt of leaving her behind.
Even though I’m an adult, the nerves still hit me hard on the drive to Ash’s parents’ house. It’s been years since I last met a girlfriend’s family, and I want to make a good impression. I met them briefly a few weeks ago, but sitting down for dinner with everyone is a whole different story. I have no idea how much Ashlyn has told them about my situation, and while she’s accepted it, her parents might not.
I let out a sigh of relief as I pull into the driveway and see only Ash’s car. Maybe she was right about her brothers being at work. Before I even step out, the front door swings open, and Ashlyn appears at the top of the porch steps. She looks stunning in a black pencil skirt and a white silk cami. As I climb out of the car, she jogs down the steps to meet me.
“Hey. You look beautiful,” I tell her, leaning down and pressing a kiss on her cheek.
