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Dad said, “Well, I was about to invite my new son-in-law into my house, but I have to say I’m disappointed you thought it was okay to marry a Raiders fan.” Holy shit. My dad was joking with Elliott already? This didn’t make sense at all. How did Elliott do this to people? There was just something about him.
“Once he told me you’re originally from Kansas City, I kept my true identity secret so he didn’t break up with me.”
“Smart man,” Dad teased while I tried to figure out what alternate dimension I’d been dropped into where my dad was joking around with Elliott. “I met his mama in college and moved out here with her afterward,” he added, and there it was, the loneliness creeping back into his voice. “Speaking of, I guess I should let you guys come in. Sorry about that.” He stepped aside.
Like at Elliott’s parents’ place, there were photos on the walls, but here they were all pre-mom’s death. Elliott looked at them the way I’d done his, holding my hand, which he must have grabbed again at some point and I just didn’t notice. “Look how cute you were.” He pointed to one of me and my mom on the beach.
Dad said, “That was Mother’s Day. She adored the ocean. She was so happy, and loved being a mom so much. She adored Parker, and he adored her. It was beautiful to see them together. Sometimes I’d just sit back and watch them, like they had their own little world that no one else was a part of. They were exactly the same—sweet and all heart. Sensitive and…well, I don’t know why I’m describing Parker to you. Clearly you know how incredible he is since you fell in love with him.”
Elliott’s hand tightened around mine, one of his fingers gently brushing against my skin. My heart thudded. Words stuck in my throat. I’d never heard my dad talk like this before. We’d always known I was more like Mom than him, but did he really think I was incredible? Did he mean he’d felt left out?
When I didn’t say anything, Elliott replied, “He is special. I had to work hard to win him over.”
Dad chuckled. “Well, looks like you did it. He deserves the best, so you better treat him that way.”
“I’ll try,” Elliott said.
“Dad?” I finally found at least the one word.
“Don’t want to bring the mood down. Sorry. You know how I get sometimes. I’m going to put some food on the grill in a bit. Hope that works. I’m not much of a cook.” He turned from me to Elliott. “What did Parker say you do again?”
We went into the living room as Elliott told Dad he was a city planner. We sat down, and Dad asked questions, Elliott answering every one of them. He talked to Dad about Dad’s job as an electrical engineer. They got along well, the two of them even ganging up to playfully pick on me every once in a while, probably because I was distracted by what Dad had said earlier.
Elliott and I stayed inside when Dad went to put the steaks on the grill. He liked his moments of quiet, so I gave them to him. When he came back in, we talked some more. We were on the subject of my baking, and Elliott said, “I’m pretty sure I’ve gained at least five pounds since Parker moved in.”
“Your body is fine,” I replied, and he grinned.
“You say the sweetest things.” I stiffened when he leaned over and pressed a kiss to my lips, and oh…a boy had just kissed me in front of my dad. Being in my thirties, one would think that wasn’t a big deal, but Dad had never met a man I’d dated, and the last time he saw me with a guy other than my friends was when I got caught with a dick in my mouth.
“You should have seen Parker and his mom baking. They could spend a whole day in the kitchen.”
I winced, but I couldn’t quite say why.
“Beach Buns is amazing. Parker has created something really special, and so many of his customers come in at least a few times a week. It’s like a family. He makes them feel comfortable. I’ll see people with a cookie and coffee, sitting there for hours talking to him. It reminds me of something you’d see in a movie about a small town.”
Warmth filled my chest because while this might not be sexual, turned out I really was a praise slut. I liked hearing him say those things. It made me feel like I mattered.
Dad nodded. “Yeah, I couldn’t be prouder of him. He’s a good man.” Dad looked at me. “And I couldn’t be happier that you found a good man in Elliott too.”
