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After dinner, I help clean up the dishes while Nick and Nash play with Felicity on the lawn. They roll the baby’s red ball back and forth between the three of them, pretending to get knocked over when Felicity scores a direct hit, making the baby laugh so hard her face turns bright red.
See! Nick’s even good with kids. And hadn’t that been my major complaint about Brian—that he was grossed out by babies?
I’d rather have a tattooed, unconventional boyfriend who works a job he loves, questions the status quo, and loves babies, adventures, and me, than a guy who looks perfect on paper and pleases my parents. When I look back, dating Brian was about as much fun as watching oatmeal congeal in a plain brown bowl compared to being with Nick. Not even the container was exciting. I don’t want a husband like that.
I freeze, setting the dirty plates down beside the sink with shaking hands.
Husband.
Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking, isn’t it? That I want a lot more than a fun fling or even a long-term boyfriend.
The realization is a little scary. After all, we don’t share the same faith, have different views on other important issues, and serious disagreements on big city vs. small town living.
I know Nick wants to move back to Atlanta eventually, but I can’t imagine living anywhere but Bliss River. I want adventures and new experiences, but I want to come home when the adventure is over, and Bliss River is home. This town is a part of me, like a family member. I don’t want to grow up and leave it behind.
My worries follow me outside, where the family is already gathering around the cleared table, and Nick is sliding into a chair near the grill. I drop into the chair next to him with a nervous smile. He smiles back, seemingly at ease, but I’m certain he knows the intervention is about to start.
There’s a steely look in his eyes and a determined set to his jaw that helps banish my anxiety. He’s determined because he loves me, and I firmly believe that love can overcome any obstacle in its path.
I hold tight to that belief—and Nick’s hand—as my mother calls the intervention to order.
“Nick, we told Melody earlier this evening that we wanted to talk to both of you about your relationship,” she says, smoothing her blond bob with one hand, though, as usual, not a hair is out of place. “But I’d like to go on the record as saying that I, for one, believe that conversation is no longer necessary.”
“What?” Dad turns to scowl at her.
“I think they’re lovely together.” Mom beams our way, her smile making me feel like a weight’s been lifted from my shoulders. “It’s obvious they care about each other, and Nick is a sweetheart. I say, as long as he continues to be sweet to our baby, we give him the seal of approval.”
“And agrees to wear long sleeves when Nana is around,” Lark adds with an affectionate roll of her eyes. “Nana thinks everyone with tattoos has spent time in prison. She’s too old to change her mind about anything, so we do our best to humor her when we can. And I agree, by the way. You two are adorable together.”
“Totally adorbs,” Aria says from just inside the back door. “But I was on your side from the beginning,” she continues, carrying a tired-looking Felicity, now dressed in a ladybug sleeper, across the patio and delivering her to Nash for a good night snuggle. “Remember that when it comes time to pick a matron of honor, Melody.”
My cheeks heat, and a nervous laugh escapes my lips. I peek at Nick out of the corner of my eyes, expecting him to be freaked out by the assumption that we’ll be getting hitched, but he’s still smiling.
And when he glances my way, he gives me a conspiratorial wink that sends a shiver of excitement prickling across my skin.
“I’m not an official member of the family yet,” Mason says. “So I’m not going to say anything on the record. Off the record, however, I’ll say that I respect both of you for coming back inside when you could have made a run for it earlier. I think that says a lot about the strength of your relationship.”
“Mason and I were spying,” Lark confesses with a guilty grin. “But we left the window when the kissing started. Promise.”
I blush harder. “Okay, is this over, then? Can the most embarrassing family meeting ever now come to an end, please?”
Dad grunts. “Well, since my opinion doesn’t mean a damn thing anymore, I guess so. But I still don’t think it’s a good idea. Melody’s just a baby.”
“Melody is a young woman and smart enough to make her own decisions,” Nash says, speaking up for the first time since dinner was served. I meet his gaze, surprised to find his glare has finally vanished. “I’d like to apologize for forgetting that. And to apologize to Nick, too. I should have minded my own business. Sorry, little brother.”
