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Sean steps out of the bathroom, his hair dripping onto the carpet. “Still awake?” he asks, peeking around the corner.

I was daydreaming long enough for him to finish taking a shower and shave his face.

“I can’t go back to sleep either. I’m waiting for you to be finished so I can start my hair and makeup.”

I’ve never been nervous meeting parents, but this time is different. Only because this isn’t the first time I’m meeting them. I knew them ten years ago, and they know everything that went down between Sean and me. How do you meet someone’s family again after all the heartache I put him through?

Sean wants to go all out with the meal for tonight’s dinner: steak, Greek salad, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.

He’s being so specific about it all—rushing into the store he nearly tripped as he entered.

“No, not that one.” He grabs a different potato, lifting it in the air and showing me like I’m a toddler. “It’s gotta be extra large.”

I try to find a potato as big as the last, rolling my eyes. “You seem more nervous than I am.” I laugh.

“It’s Bailey. She’s just been driving me a bit crazy lately.”

“Why’s that?”

His sideways glance at my question arouses fear and uncertainty in me that I’ve been trying to bury. His family knows everything. I can almost guarantee they talk about me being in the picture again. Then again, Bailey and I got along really well back then, so maybe it’s not about me. Just normal brother, sister stuff.

He tosses some apples in a bag and places them in our cart, avoiding eye contact.

“She just inserts herself into other people’s lives too much. I love her, but she’s always been that way.”

I always wanted siblings. Someone else I could talk to about family issues. He’s lucky he has someone to annoy him. Of course, I’m sure he’s never seen it that way.

“We need caramel. It’s tradition to have caramel apples on the first night,” he says, practically skipping toward the candy aisle.

◆◆◆

Kathy lifts her wine glass in the air, clinking it against mine.

“There is just a new light in him since you’ve been back,” she says, glancing at Sean, who is talking with his Dad. “I feel like I’ve got my boy back.”

“Was it really that bad before?” I ask skeptically.

Her hair flows over her shoulders, long and straight. She slides it behind her, moving it away from her face.

“Sean was different after he came back from serving in Iraq. After Nolan’s death. But now—I see that little spark in his eyes that he always had growing up.”

“You think that’s because of me?”

“It most certainly is because of you. You’re everything to Sean.” She pauses. “Sorry if I’m saying too much. I don’t want to scare you.”

“You can’t scare me. It’s nice,” I reassure her.

Obviously, I knew Sean had changed. When we first ran into each other, he seemed so different. He’s growing bubblier every day, and I’d like to think I am too.

“Well, I’m glad I could contribute.” I laugh, even though I know I’m half the reason the light went away before.

Sean’s eyebrow lifts as he walks toward us.

“I heard my name.” Resting his elbows on the counter, he watches me curiously.

“We were just talking about how happy you seem, sweetie.” Kathy brushes his arm up and down.

Sean mumbles something lightly, looking at his mom now. “When is Bailey supposed to be here?”