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“No. Go on, I’ll catch up.” He places one hand on the small of my back and sends me off with the cart, his eyes flicking to a grumpy-looking customs officer, then back to me. “Why don’t you smile at Mr. Fun and see if you can cheer him up?”
I narrow my eyes at Dax as he smirks and walks off toward the restrooms. Then I push the cart, grinning brightly and saying good morning to the terse-looking officer as I pass. His face transforms into a warm smile and he tips his head in greeting. “Good morning.”
I bite the inside of my cheek as I walk through and wait for Dax, a warmth spreading in my chest as he appears a few minutes later. His lips curl into a smile as he reaches me and pulls me in for a kiss with one hand gripping the back of my neck.
“Thanks, Sunbeam. Now let’s get you in a cab.”
“I’m telling you; she’ll be my date for the wedding.” Brett grins across the dinner table at Harley as Mom chuckles.
Reed tips his chin at Brett. “I’ve already got her name on the seating plan.”
Brett leans across the table and fist-bumps Reed as Harley rolls her eyes.
“Does this poor girl know what she’s letting herself in for?”
I laugh as I tear a chunk off my bread roll. “I think she would have moved states by now if she had any idea.”
Mom chuckles again as Harley fist-bumps me this time, her eyes gleaming as she smiles at me.
I smile back, before looking down at my bread and eating a chunk. Coming home has been much better than I anticipated. The time away seems to have removed the usual tension in the air when my family are together. It’s… nice. Great, actually. It’s like it always used to feel with us all together. Laughing, joking. Making fun of Brett and his latest love interest. Although, I’ve never seen him quite so enthusiastic about anyone before. His new physical therapist, Lena, must be special.
Me, Harley, and Mom even went wedding dress shopping yesterday after I arrived from the airport. I think they secretly used it as a ruse to get me drinking champagne in a confined space so they could grill me about England. Harley asked a lot of questions about Dax, which makes me wonder if she’s been messaging Jasmin. It wouldn’t surprise me. Ever since she started planning her wedding to Reed, she’s been obsessing over who I can bring as my plus one. And the fact that he’s coming by tomorrow to meet everyone before we fly back has got Mom excited. It’s weird. I keep catching her smiling at me with this knowing look on her face when she thinks I’m not looking. And I get it. I must seem happier than the last time she saw me… because, well, I am.
“I’ve booked Vienna’s for tomorrow.”
I snap my eyes up from my plate. “What?”
Mom glances around the table, her eyes meeting everyone else’s but mine. Vienna’s is the restaurant we always used to go to whenever we had something to celebrate. We haven’t been since—
“It’s time.” Mom finally meets my eyes. “Your father loved going there.”
I force down the lump of dry bread that’s clogging up my throat. Next week would be Dad’s birthday, if he were still here.
If we’re going tomorrow for lunch, then that means Dax will be coming, too. Our flight back to London is a red eye, so it’s a late check in.
“Okay.” I manage to get the bread down and offer Mom a small smile. Her shoulders relax and her face softens with relief.
“Good. Well, I’m looking forward to meeting your friend. I hope he has an appetite. I’m told the portions are still huge.” Mom busies herself clearing the plates from the table as Brett makes some comment about feeding his super biceps.
And just like that, my family start chatting and joking again.
Dad’s been mentioned, and it hasn’t ended up with Mom crying, or me feeling like I’ve let everyone down.
Maybe time really can heal.
I lean into Dax’s side, my hand glued to his thigh beneath the table as we have lunch with Mom, Brett, and Harley. Reed had some mayor thing on, so he couldn’t make it. Mom keeps flicking her gaze to us every few minutes from across the table, and Harley’s not even trying to hide the giant grin on her face as she grills Dax, just like she did to me yesterday.
“I can’t believe you got my sister to go to a gong bath. It sounds amazing.”
“They’re really great for slowing down, taking time out, re-balancing. They help me relax.” Dax smiles at her as he sits, happy and relaxed in the seat next to me, his fingers interlaced with mine against his thigh.
They all love him.
To the point where, given the choice, I believe they would seriously consider trading me for him.
Despite everything that’s happened the past three years, I’ve always loved that about my family. They’re open and welcoming. Never judgmental. Dad always said he just wanted us all to be happy. He wouldn’t have cared about Dax’s past or his tattoos. He’d have just interrogated him until he was satisfied he wasn’t out to hurt me.
“I’m heading to the restroom,” I whisper to Dax.
