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“Uh-huh.”
“I can just picture it.”
I sigh loudly. “That’s not even the worst bit. He drove his Lamborghini here. I’ve never driven something so expensive before. Hell, I’ll probably crash it.”
“A freaking Lamborghini. Don’t crash it. Take a picture.”
My hand rests on my throat, and my heart is racing. “Under other circumstances… maybe, but my anxiety is about to spill over. I’m waiting for the questions from my parents. The only conversation is about whiskey. Apparently, my father knows more about distilling and fermentation than I realized.”
Zara giggles again. “It’s a good thing, Pen.”
“Maybe.”
“So, you and Franklin are good again because I thought we were mad at him for ghosting you?”
“It’s hard to stay annoyed at him when he is here and trying so hard.”
“I know. I just wish he’d make up his mind so you know where you stand.”
“Yeah. Hey, I better go. Franklin or my parents might need saving.”
Dropping my cell in my bra, I walk into the kitchen. Everyone is sitting around one end of the table, laughing and in deep conversation.
Into what freaking parallel universe have I traveled?
Dad holds up his glass—mainly ice remains. “Frank is sending me a bottle of Blanton’s. Says I’ll like it better than my old friend Jack.”
His words stun me momentarily. Does my father know how much a bottle is? I didn’t think he’d want to drink something so expensive.
“And tickets to the basketball.” Mom rolls her eyes. “Did you know your father has been watching it these past couple of years?”
“No, I didn’t.” My parents never liked sports as it could bring out the worst side in people. They never liked aggression. It dawns on me how the conversation must have started.
“Courtside seats for your parents.” Franklin cheers with his glass.
Oh boy.
“Not for me, but thank you for the offer,” Mom says pleasantly.
I sit beside my mother and take her hand in mine. “Would you like me to do anything for you?”
She squeezes my hand, her eyes searching mine as though she is trying to understand me. “Visit me more.”
I place my other hand over Mom’s. “I will.” I tune back into what Dad and Franklin are talking about.
“So how did you meet Poppy?”
I expect Franklin to say at a wedding, but he goes into detail about how he was on the beach thinking about how to propose. “Then I saw her. Penny was as beautiful as the sunlight glistening over the ocean right before it sets. She caught my eye, and I couldn’t look away. I watched her for a while as she created a romantic setting, making sure the finishing touches were perfect and memorable for another couple. I thought if she cares this much about making other people happy, does she care equally for her own happiness? The moment touched me, so I asked her to set up the same scenario for me. What could go wrong?”
Mom and Dad’s expressions are of shock. He doesn’t give them long to ponder an answer.
“The following night, everything was set for a romantic proposal. Only my ex-girlfriend is… a perfectionist.” I giggle but don’t interrupt him. “She said no.” His eyes round as though he is implying,can you believe it? “I was heartbroken. I don’t take rejection well. I missed cues projecting what my heart was telling me. The girl of my dreams was not the one I’d proposed to… she was the one who created an intimate space for couples to confess their love. My ex wanted me to shout my feelings to the world. It wasn’t about just the two of us. In hindsight, fate led me to Penny.”
The girl of his dreams.
I am speechless.
“A relationship should always be about the people in it, first and foremost.” Dad squeezes Mom’s hand. “I’m glad Poppy has you, Frank. It’s good to know a man is looking out for her.”
