“Oh…this is Jack,” I say absentmindedly, my brain scurrying to formulate a plan. I didn’t anticipate an audience when breaking my parents’ hearts.
“I was actually on a hike.” I pause, Dad’s eyebrows raising as I take in all the gossip-hungry gazes locked on us. My cousin Brittany gives Jack a flirty wave, making me scowl.
Juliet rounds the corner, her bright smile widening. “Willow! I didn’t know you were coming!” She gives me a side hug, because I refuse to release the death grip I have on Jack’s hand. “Mom said you were away, but I’m so glad you made it. Ooh, who’s this?” She bugs her eyes my way before flashing those pearly whites at Jack.
“Um, this is Jack, my boyfriend.” It’s the first time I’ve introduced him as such, and it still turns my insides to Jell-O.
When my gaze falls back to Jack, I find him smirking at me, completely unaware that every woman in this room is ogling him. He’s just giving me a goofy grin because he also knows this is the first time I’ve referred to him as my boyfriend.
It helps that he's a walking green flag. Plus, he’s ridiculously hot. I hit the jackpot.
Hah!Jack-pot!
“Boyfriend?” Juliet asks, her eyes lighting up.
“I actually didn’t know this was happening,” I continue, frowning when I catch my cousin fluttering her eyes at Jack again.Back off, Brittany.
“I thought you’d be recovering from your hike,” Mom chimes in, her mouth grimacing sheepishly. “After your adventure, I assumed you’d need a few days to rest.”
“We’re so glad you’re here, Will. I can’t wait to hear about this hike.” Dad pats my shoulder before shaking Jack’s hand. His eyes bounce back to me as he smiles, but a tiny frown washes over his face as he glances between Jack and me, like he’s searching for something.
“What did you stop by for, sweetheart?” Mom asks, and I once again scan over all the faces observing this little family reunion like a live soap opera. Emily is the only one with a sour look on her face. I give her a look that saysSuck it, Emily. Look who managed to get a boyfriend. And he’s a million times better thanKyle.
I bring my gaze back to Mom, feeling emboldened once Jack squeezes my hand. “I…uh…I sort of have something to tell you and Dad.”
“Well, don’t keep us waiting,” Aunt Sherri pipes up, nodding encouragingly as my parents turn expectant looks my way. It’s like there’s a herd of curious meerkats sitting before us, all of them eager to hear a bit of spilled tea.
“Well, I hadn’t planned on making this announcement infront of an audience, but I guess this works, too.” I glance over at Jack, drawing courage from his supportive smile.
“I just got back from doing the rim-to-rim at the Grand Canyon.” I can’t help the widening of my smile as I say the words, because I’m darn proud of myself. Murmuring and gasps follow, but I continue. “And that’s a whole other thing that I’ll tell you about later.” I wave a hand dismissively and turn to my parents. “But the main thing I wanted to tell you is that…I got a scholarship to study color analysis and style, and…I’m going to pursue that…because it’s my passion…and I won’t be finishing my sports journalism degree,” I finally admit, my stomach twisting as I stare at my dad.
I can practically hear the blinks in the room, yet it feels as if a boulder just rolled off my chest. “Willow also helped bring down a smuggling ring while in the canyon,” Jack adds.
“You did what?” Mom gasps, her fingers resting below my stitches. “What happened to your arm?”
“That’s part of the story I’ll get to later,” I say with a grimace, sneaking another look at my father, who has yet to say a word. “I’m sorry, Dad. I can’t keep trudging on a career path I hate. Style is what I’ve always loved. And I’m finally able to admit that. It’s what I want to pursue.”
“Will…” His eyes glisten as he shakes his head, and a small laugh escapes. “All I’ve ever wanted is for you and Jules to be happy. And for the first time in a long time, I see the real you looking back at me. If this is what you wanna do, we’ll support you.”
“Hooray!” Aunt Sherri claps, causing the purse on her lap to fall, a ziplock of discarded food sliding out. Mom gasps again, louder this time, and every pair of eyes in the room widens.
“It’s not what it looks like!” Aunt Sherri squeaks, shoving the bag of food back inside and yanking the purse to her chest.
A commotion ensues just then, the guilty participantsscattering as my mom follows a retreating Aunt Sherri and interrogates her all the way into the kitchen.
I turn to Jack, shaking my head as my jaw hangs. “I’d say this is abnormally strange for my family, but it’d be a lie.”
He chuckles and leans down to kiss my temple. “At least that went well.”
“Freakishly well,” I mumble, because it’s almost too good to be true.
Dad steps forward, and I’m finally brave enough to let go of Jack’s hand as I’m pulled into a hug.
“We need to talk,” my dad says after releasing me from his hug. “I want to hear all about your plans for the future.”
I nod, moving back to Jack’s side, loving that those words carry none of the anguish they did just a few weeks ago.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
