AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We drive west for a few hours and arrive in Springfield, where his parents live. Harvey guides the truck into a neighborhood of large two-story houses, and he parks it in a street where there are several other vehicles parked.
“Wait, one second,” he says when I reach for the door handle. Turning to him, I see he’s got the ring outstretched. I can’t help it. A wave of shivers rolls through me when I see it. It’s a simple but stunning princess-cut diamond set on a silver band. I inspect it more closely than I did last night.
My eyes wide, I watch how it sparkles, reflecting light around.
He chuckles, bringing me back to reality.
Hoping I’m not turning too red, I grab it and slide it on the ring finger of my left hand.
He pouts, “I wanted to do it.”
I just snort and open the door.
Once we are both on the sidewalk, he offers me his arm. “Time to start working, Ms. Hollywood. Thanks again for not giving up on me, by the way.”
I smile, resigned and anxious, and take his arm to hold as he walks me toward his parents’ house. As nervous as I am, I can help but enjoy the feel of his muscular arm around mine.
Plus, he smellsreallygood.
I shake my head and pay attention to where we are going. His parents’ house is quaint and lovely. It’s a two-story redbrick home, and the front lawn is decorated with golden and white balloons. There’s a big sign saying ‘Congratulations, Kiera and Michael!’ right in the middle of the lawn.
I’m shaking, and he knows it because he reaches for my hand, linking his fingers through mine. To my surprise, it helps.
Just take deep breaths.
He lets go of me to ring the doorbell, and I hide behind him, like the shy girlfriend I was painted to be.
I hold on to him once I hear and see the doorknob turning. Surprising both of us, it’s a toddler. She’s a beautiful little girl with dark hair and big blue eyes, just like Harvey’s.
“Abby!” Harvey says, in a low, deep-throated monster voice.
Abby giggles like crazy while Harvey takes her in his arms to blow raspberries on her stomach. It’s adorable and he steps inside with her like this, and I follow him in. I am greeted by a crowd of voices gathered in the foyer and in the living room.
Harvey places the little girl on the floor and moves his attention forward to a short blond woman. “Hey, Donna, where’s Grant and dad?”
“In the living room, playing video games…” Donna rolls her eyes, then turns her attention to me. “And who might this be? The famed lady?”
“Yeah, this is Elsa!” Harvey confirms.
Donna comes to greet me but stops mid-step. “Wasn’t her name Marcella?” she asks, an eyebrow raised, and a finger pointed at me.
I’m screwed. My blood is running cold. I just got caught and I’m not even five minutes in.
“Marcella is my middle name!” I spout at the last second.
“Oh, okay!” the woman walks over and hugs me tight. “Which do you prefer?”
“Elsa!” Harvey and I say at once, and we both giggle nervously.
“Donna is my sister-in-law, Elsa,” Harvey says with a hand on both of our shoulders. “She’s married to my older brother, Grant.”
“Nice to meet you!” I say, forcing a smile, already overwhelmed by everything going on around me, but I do recognize the familiar faces and names after my little crash course last night.
“And grandma? Where is she?” Harvey asks, jumping in place.
“Backyard, with your mom and your sister. I’m just here because I was looking for Abby!” Donna shrugs, looking tired.
She then collects her daughter by the shoulders, muttering something about “daddy’s turn” while Harvey takes me by the hand and begins to walk me to the back of the house.
