Page 162 of Bad Run

“I like her already. She sounds just like your mother.” Dad grins, and it’s the first time I’ve seen him smile in years.

“She is.” I chuckle.

“Boss’s daughter, huh?” He wiggles his brows at me as I stare at him in shock, my jaw hanging open. My dad chuckles. “Surprised to know I keep tabs on you?”

He knows about me?

“A little. Are you mad?” For some reason, I’m nervous to hear his answer.

“About you getting married and not telling us?”

I nod.

He shrugs. “Your life, Lancelot. If you’re happy, then that’s all that matters.”

“I’m extremely happy.”

“That’s good, Son.”

The door to the hospital room opens with a creak, and my mom quietly steps inside. Her eyes widen as she sees my father sitting up and awake in bed.

“Kenny, you’re awake,” she screeches, running to his bedside and smothering his face in kisses. “You had me so scared.”

“I’m sorry, Holly Berry,” he mumbles, wrapping his hand around her wrist.

Kenny and Holly Berry? This is the first time I’ve ever heard them use nicknames, and I have to admit, it’s grossly cute. As I watch my parents, I wonder if that’s how Gwen and I will look together in thirty years.

The squeak of a sneaker on the tile from behind catches my attention. I turn my head away from my mushy parents to find the best surprise.

As if I conjured her out of thin air.

“Gwen?”

She stands nervously by the door, her hands clasped and twisting in anxiety. Her aqua eyes are blue with worry as she stares back at me. “Hey.”

I rush her, pulling her into my arms and holding her tight. “Are you really here?”

Her lithe arms circle my shoulders. “I’m here.”

I push her back to gaze into her eyes, letting the relief of seeing them wash over me in contentment. “When did you get here?”

“Just a bit ago.” Gwen glances over my shoulder at my parents. “I should have called first. I’m sorry for intruding. I—”

I lean in and kiss her, effectively shutting her up. It takes every ounce of self-control not to maul her in front of my parents. “You are not intruding. I want you here. I’m so fucking happy to see you.”

Her sweet, flowery scent fills my nose, and I breathe it in.

“Language,” my mother interjects. The woman has dog ears. Can hear a pin drop a mile away.

“Sorry, Ma,” I toss over my shoulder as Gwen bites her bottom lip, holding back her brilliant smile.

“She doesn’t know what a filthy mouth you have, does she?” my wife whispers.

“No, and you like my filthy mouth.”

“I do.” Her cheeks turn a deeper shade of pink, and her aqua eyes sparkle.

The tension in my shoulders releases as I stare at her beautiful face. She came for me.