Dr. Sexy: I’ll book it. Start packing.
Dr. Sexy: How’d the history lesson go?
I blush, remembering his words this morning.
Me: Just peachy.
Dr. Sexy: Playing coy with me?
Me: I was flustered the whole time.
Dr. Sexy: Grrrrr
Me: I can still feel you…
Dr. Sexy: Even better…
Me: My kids are about to come in from recess. Talk to you later. Thanks for booking the flight.
Dr. Sexy: xoxo
Chapter 23
Jaxon
“Mom said they’re parking now.”
Nerves hit me like a ton of bricks while we’re grabbing our luggage from the baggage claim Friday evening. I haven’t met a set of parents I really cared about impressing since high school.
“Okie dokie.”
Holly stops and turns to me, reaching for my hand.
“Hey,” she mutters, catching my eye and seeing more than I’ve said aloud. “They’re going to love you.”
Do you love me?
“I hope so. They won’t deter me any, but I’d like to know they at least kind of like me.”
“You’re cute when you’re all nervous.”
“Ha.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you, we’re in separate rooms this weekend. We’ll have to be sneaky if we want to snuggle or fool around.” She waggles her eyebrows, and I instantly relax, letting out a low chuckle. Not loving the idea of sleeping without her though.
“Holly!” I hear a woman holler, interrupting my girl’s brow theatrics and my comeback regarding fooling around. Holly’s eyes light up with joy, and she smiles, turning abruptly and dropping her duffel on my foot as she takes off toward her family. With a grimace, I bend to pick it up. It’s not heavy, but that one object on the bottom managed to hit my damn foot at just the right angle. I blow out a little breath and count to five in my head, knowing that when I straighten back up, there will be three sets of eyes on me. Can’t start things off looking like a wuss or some grumpy bastard, now can I?
I straighten my spine, instantly noting how the ladies hug, faces alight with happiness. Holly’s mom, May, clutches her daughter’s face between her palms with affection as she looks her over. Jacob, Holly’s dad, looks just as thrilled to see her. He mouths something, which I’m sure is along the lines of a hello, and pulls her in for a bear hug. These three appear close. Holly does a double take my way, a small smile tugging at her lips as she pulls away from her father and tucks an arm through his to guide them toward me. Setting the bags back down, I reach forward to clasp his meaty hand firmly.
“Mr. Irving.”
“Momma, Daddy, this is Jaxon.”
“It’s nice to meet you, young man. Call me Jacob. I haven’t seen my Holly glow like that in years, so you must make her happy. That gets you on a first name basis with me.”
“I’m May,” Holly’s mom interjects, pushing her way in between us to pull me into a hug. A hug so tight it makes me miss my own mom and momentarily steals my breath. Jacob chuckles and steps back out of the way.
“It’s great to meet you both. How was the traffic on the way here?” I ask politely.
