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Crisis averted.
For now at least.
Hunter answers questions about his job, and I can’t help but notice how he lights up when he talks about it. He’s definitely passionate about his work, and my parents eat it up. They love how he’s driven and has a career, and considering the rings he bought, it’s safe to say I didn’t realize just how good of a living he makes.
When Mom passes out slices of homemade apple pie, my father asks Hunter about his family. Reaching under the table, I take Hunter’s hand and pull it on my lap for support as he tenses.
“He isn’t close with his parents,” I tell them so he doesn’t have to explain.
“It’s okay, Lennon,” he says, looking at me as his gaze falls to our interlocked fingers. “I figured they’d be interested.” Hunter shrugs, but his confidence quickly returns when he looks at me. I nod, and he turns to my parents.
He tells them about Hayden and how close they are. Then he directly dives into his childhood, and how he grew up in a political household but nothing to do with that once he left home. He speaks so effortlessly, opening up to my parents without a second thought. It’s amazing to watch him be so candid.
“Well, you’re a part of our family now, Hunter,” my father says after, and my heart pounds with a mixture of pride and guilt. We’re deceiving my parents, and for a minute, I think about revealing our hoax and telling them the truth, hoping they’ll accept what is, but then my father continues, reminding me exactly why I can’t. “We know your lives are in California, but we hope you’ve found a place of worship that follows our beliefs. Teaching you and your sisters the right way—God’s way—was important, and my grandchild’s life will be easier if the written word is taught and followed.”
My stomach drops. He’s being entirely too preachy, and it almost makes my skin crawl. I’ve heard it my entire life—go to church, get an education, date with purpose to find a husband, get married, then have children.
Having a job was never forced, and being a stay-at-home mom was considering the norm. My sisters and I wanted careers we were passionate about and left to pursue them in California. None of us dreamed of being a homemaker like my mother. She was “the wife of the pastor” and in charge of bake sales and getting us to our extracurricular activities. Mom loved it, and I know plenty of other mothers in the church who did, but that life wasn’t for me.
“I can assure you we’ll raise the baby together and make those decisions as we go,” Hunter answers, saying enough to make my father happy.
Yawning, I get my mother’s attention who luckily changes the subject. “You kids should get to bed after such a long day. Tomorrow’s going to be a blast!” She claps excitedly. “Did Lennon tell you all about it? Oh my gosh! All the church ladies are going to die over your handsome husband.”
Hunter clears his throat, sitting straighter. “Yes, ma’am, she’s told me some. Though I have a feeling I’m going to be in for quite the surprise.” He smirks, making my mother melt.
“It’s tradition,” I tell him. “Trust me, there’s no getting out of it.” I snicker, giving him an apologetic smirk.
Hunter wraps his arm around my shoulders and leans in closer. “Can’t wait.”
After we say good night to my folks and head upstairs, I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and change clothes. Once I’m done and go back to the room, I see Hunter already under the covers, halfway off the bed.
Chuckling, I look at him and bite my lip. “Gonna be snug, huh?”
As if he could be any sexier, he puts his arms behind his head and stretches out. “Yeah, I don’t know where you’re gonna sleep,” he says with a smug smile.
“Ha, funny. I warned you.”
“Yeah, but we ‘practiced’ in a big bed, and now I’m realizing just how ridiculous this is gonna be.”
I stop at the edge of the bed and frown. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t ideal.”
“Lennon.” His face drops as he pulls back the covers. “Get in.”
My feet stay frozen to the floor, unable to move as I take in Hunter’s large frame and notice he’s only in his boxers. It’s hot as hell up here, and my parents never turn the central air below seventy degrees. It’s why I’m only wearing a pair of mesh shorts and a tank top.
Swallowing, I nod and finally snap out of it.
I will not stare at him.
Hell, who am I kidding? I’m gawking so hard I’m surprised my eyes haven’t popped out by now. I turn off the lamp on the nightstand and inhale.
I can do this.
