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I’ve only seen them a couple of times; once the night Abel and I met and again a couple weeks ago when he took me to their diner when I had a craving for one of Jack’s famous burgers.
“I wish. Claudia hasn’t come to a family dinner since I was a teenager. She says it’s because they can’t take the time away from the diner, but I know it’s really because they’ve always felt out of place. Not that I can blame them. My mom and Claudia have never been close and that was only further solidified when my mom married my dad.”
I suck in a shaky breath and let it out slowly, my earlier nervousness returning tenfold.
“It’s going to be fine,” he reassures me again.
“I know. It’s just... Well, this is the first timeI’mmeeting someone’s family. Someone I happen to be crazy about. I really want them to like me.”
“And they will.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Well then you can join me in the ranks of the disapproved.” He grins, slowing before turning right down a long curvy driveway.
When a beautiful two story brick home comes into view I sway slightly in my seat. It just reaffirms how differently Abel and I grew up.
The house is quite large, set on a gorgeous plot of land that is not visible from the road because of the trees that seem to cage it in like a hidden oasis.
He pulls the car to the far end of the driveway where it circles in front of the house before killing the engine.
“Looks like everyone is already here,” he observes, causing my gaze to slide to the handful of cars already parked.
“Awesome,” I say under my breath.
“Well, let’s get this over with, shall we?” He chuckles at my expression.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” I say, releasing my seatbelt before pushing the door open.
“You and me both.” He laughs again, joining me next to the car. “Listen, we don’t have to stay long if you’re not comfortable. I’m sure my family will understand if we need to call it a night a little early given your health.”
“How much do they know?” I ask, not sure why I hadn’t thought to ask this question before now.
“Just the basics. They know about the cancer, the surgery, and the chemo. I left out the part about you ghosting me after the first night we met because you thought you were going to die.” He drops an arm over my shoulder and gives me a knowing smile.
“So then what did you tell them? About us, I mean,” I ask as we make our way toward the house.
“The truth. I just left out the details of how it all went down in the beginning.”
“Probably for the best,” I admit, my feet feeling like they weigh a hundred pounds each as we climb the steps leading up to the front porch.
“Well, here we go.” He gives me one more encouraging smile, dropping his arm from my shoulder as he pushes his way through the front door, turning to make sure I follow in directly behind him.
“Wow.” It’s the first word that leaves my lips as I take in the grand staircase and high ceilings. “This place is like a mansion.” I shake my head, allowing Abel to slide my coat off my shoulders before hanging it on a hook next to the door.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” His gaze follows mine. “But it’s home.”
“If you saw some of the places I lived growing up you wouldn’t be saying that. This place is incredible.”
“There you two are.” I look to my left just in time to see Abel’s mother step around the corner. I recognize her from the time I ran into her and Abel as I was leaving chemo, though I was so thrown from seeing Abel I didn’t get that good of a look at her at the time.
She’s a very attractive woman, though that comes as no surprise. She looks a great deal like her sister, but unlike her sister there’s a very intimidating quality about her. Maybe because she looks so put together or simply because she’s Abel’s mom. Either way my knees shake slightly at the sight of her.
“Finley. It’s so good to see you again.” She reaches for my hand, reminding me that we’ve already kind of met.
“Hi, Mrs. Collins.” I take her hand, giving it a shake. “Thank you so much for having me.” I let my eyes travel to her blonde wig, thinking if I didn’t know it was a wig I would have never guessed it wasn’t her real hair.
I doubt mine is quite as believable. Then again she probably had hers custom made, whereas mine is from a cheap wig shop at the mall.
