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“We’d love to,” I blurt out.
Ledger glares at me, wide eyed, and all I can do is shrug.
“That’s so wonderful. I can’t wait to tell your father.” Mona rises to her tippy toes and places a kiss on Ledger’s cheek. Then she’s pulling me into another tight hug. “I’ll let you two finish. We’ll see you next Sunday.”
Once Mona rounds the corner of the aisle with her cart, Ledger turns to me. “You don’t know what you’ve just done.”
“Accepted an invitation to your parents for dinner?” I rest my hand on my chest. “Parents love me. What could go wrong? It’s not like I opened Pandora’s box. Or a portal to hell.”
Ledger barks out a humorless laugh and shakes his head as he continues pushing the cart down the aisle.
I trail after him. “If you’re nervous about what your family will think of me, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.”
“It’s not that. We’re not exactlyThe Brady Bunch.”
I come to a stop next to him. “Whatever happens, I’m always on Team Ledger.”
ELEVEN
DIDN’T GO AS EXPECTED
Olivia
My stomach is a ball of knots. Parents love me. I shouldn’t have anything to worry about, but currently I’m worrying about anything and everything. I’ve changed my outfit ten times. At first my hair was up, then I thought better of it and put it down. I’ve changed my earrings three times, but who’s counting. I want everything to be perfect. What if they don’t like me and, in turn, Ledger decides not to like me? He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to be like that. At least, based on the earlier interaction with Mona. What if he’s changed his mind and wants his parents’ approval and I’m not what they want for their son? I’ve never been this much of a hot mess before, and I don’t know how to deal. Most of the time, I’m already well acquainted with any parents because they know mine, but this is different. I guess I wanted different.
I run my clammy palms down my denim skinny jeans as I stare out the window of Ledger’s black Silverado. Tall pines zip past us. Ledger brakes, slowing down before turning left onto a paved driveway. We snake our way up to the house when several cars come into view parked along the side. I do a double take when I catch sight of a black SUV.
No way. That can’t be his. There are plenty of black Escalades in the city. Then my gaze falls on a sticker on the rear window.
SBL
Single Bros Life.
Son of a bitch.
Suddenly, I’m no longer nervous about meeting the parents, but who else is in the house? Maybe one of his friends also drives a black Escalade. It’s not a super uncommon car.
Ledger comes to a stop in front of the garage and shuts off the ignition. He releases his seat belt, but I don’t move.
“Um. Do you think this is a good idea? Maybe we should do this some other time.”
He tilts his head in my direction. “You seemed pretty excited when Mona suggested we come. You can’t back out now. I’m sure she’s watching us out the window as we speak.”
I glance up to the large picture window and notice the curtains rustling, like someone was just watching from the window. I swallow hard, my throat feeling dry. I’ve always been told to face my fears, but I don’t think this is what they meant.
Hesitantly, I unbuckle my seat belt and push open the door and Ledger does the same. With a deep breath, I reach around to the backseat, and grab the bottle of wine I brought for dinner. As I push the door shut, I contemplate if I should open this bottle and chug it in the driveway. Before I can do just that, I glance up and Ledger’s waiting for me in front of his truck. I collect my bearings and make my way toward him.
“Ready?” He holds out his hand for me.
All I can do is nod my head because no, I am not ready. Moisture collects on my palms. I wipe them on my thighs, but it’s useless. We walk side by side, fingers intertwined, up to the front door. Ledger peers down at me and I give him an apprehensive smile. I wish I knew what I was walking into right now.
Before we can knock, the front door flies open. Mona stands in the doorway, a beaming smile on her face. She holds out her arms and wraps Ledger in a hug. Then she offers me the same greeting and it eases some of my worries.
See, nothing to worry about. Parents love you.
“I’m so happy the two of you could make it. I was a little nervous that maybe I was too forward when I ran into you two.” Mona ushers us through the doorway, where it opens to a large foyer. A set of stairs run along the wall to the right leading up to the second floor. A formal living room is on the left. The cream walls give it an elegant style, but not too stuffy. This is not a place I can picture Ledger living in. If anything is out of place, it’s him. Straight ahead is a hallway that opens into the kitchen. Mona moves next to me and leads us down the hallway.
Earlier in the week, I asked Ledger about his family, but he was pretty tight-lipped. All he mentioned was his dad, Kenny, stepmom Mona, and that he has a couple of half siblings. He didn’t seem too eager to share more, so I didn’t want to push it. When I asked about his mom, he completely shut me out. I figured he’ll tell me when he’s ready.
