Coop nodded. “Exactly. But I worry they might think you have ulterior motives if you reach out before the wedding.”
“Oh, yeah, we don’t want them to think I’m apologizing in an attempt to score an invite to their big day.”
“Yeah.” He rubbed my leg. “But just know whenever you do decide to talk to them, I’ll be right by your side.”
I gave him a quick peck, and we resumed eating our pizza. Our conversation turned to much more lighthearted topics, like Butcher’s antics during practice. I didn’t care what anyone said, that guy was freaking hilarious.
When we climbed into bed later that night, I remembered I had one more thing I needed to ask him.
“You want to go to Hartford on Sunday?”
“To meet your family?”
“Yeah.” I beamed.
“I would love to.”
“You’re sureyour grandfather is up to having visitors?” Coop asked from the passenger seat as I drove toward Vermont. “I read last night that too much excitement can raise a person’s blood pressure.”
“Are you trying to get out of meeting my family?” I teased, even though his concern wasn’t completely unwarranted.
I’d actually read the same thing about blood pressure, so I had called my grandpa and gave him a heads-up that not only was I bringing my boyfriend to visit, but that my boyfriend was his favorite player on the Bruins.
“No.” He shook his head and hesitated. “But I am a little nervous.”
“You have nothing to be nervous about.” I took one hand off the steering wheel and laced my fingers with his. “They’re going to love you.”
“How do you know?”
I’d never heard Coop sound so unsure of himself. It was sort of cute that he was worried what my family would think of him.
“BecauseIlove you, and they know you make me happy. They’ll love you for that reason alone.”
He turned to look at me. “I love you too, baby.”
We arrived in Hartford around lunchtime and headed straight for my grandparents’ house. We’d come up early since we were only staying for the day because I had work the next day and Coop was flying out for a four-game road trip. It would be the longest we’d been apart since getting back together.
We pulled up in front of the house, and I turned off the engine. “You ready?”
He nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We both climbed out of the car and walked hand in hand to the front door.
“Knock, knock,” I called out as I pushed the door open.
We hadn’t made it over the threshold before my mom came sprinting around the corner. “Finally, you’re here.” She wrapped her arms around me in a giant hug.
“We said we’d be here at noon. We’re ten minutes early.” I laughed.
“Oh hush.” She slapped my arm playfully, and then smiled at the man standing next to me. “You must be Emmett.”
“I am.” He returned her smile and stuck out a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Mahoney.”
“Mrs. Mahoney is sitting in the living room. You can call me Jill.” Mom ignored his offer of a handshake and went straight in for a hug.
“Sorry, I should have warned you that she’s a hugger.” I patted my mom’s shoulder. “C’mon, let the man breathe.”
My dad stepped forward next and introduced himself. “Hi Emmett, I’m Phil. It’s nice to meet you finally.”
