AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Does Dani want marriage and kids? We’ve never discussed it. I don’t even know what that would look like for Cookie & Co. Communication is going to be key. Glancing over at Michael, I can see he’s thinking the same thing as me. If our relationship continues the way it has, we should talk about what the future holds in store. The idea of having kids now terrifies me. I’m not ready for it. At all.
This is a good reminder that we need to address all that.
But that’s for later. Right now, I need to figure out how to swallow this damn cheese. I clear my throat a little, and nothing happens. I try again, but nothing. My face feels hot.
Dani’s mom jumps up. “Crew, are you choking?”
I shake my head, coughing. I hold my hand up to indicate I’m okay.
“Why doesn’t he have a drink?” Mary demands of her husband. “He’s choking, Kevin.”
“Oh, shit, sorry,” Kevin says. To his credit, he seems to realize for the first time that he hasn’t poured me and Nathan any bourbon.
Even as I’m wheezing and holding my glass out to accept a pour, I understand that Dani’s parents got blindsided by our relationship. They had a picture of what their daughter’s life would be like, and they need time to regain their equilibrium. But if they can say there is no PDA in their house, I’m setting down a rule or two of my own to protect our girl.
Mary comes over to me, and now it’s my back she’s rubbing. Kevin has splashed bourbon in my glass, and I take it all back in one swallow. It gets the cheese down, but it burns like hell. I cough into my hand as Mary reassuringly pats me.
“It’s okay, just breathe,” she tells me.
Her touch feels very maternal, and I appreciate it. I nod. “Thank you.”
“Let me get you some water,” Dani says, going to the kitchen.
I clear my throat again and turn back to Mary, then to Kevin. “Look. I just want the both of you to know that we—me, Nathan, and Michael—all love your daughter, and we will never intentionally hurt her. We’ll do everything in our power to keep her safe and happy, just like you did her whole childhood. We’re not asking you to understand our relationship, because, hell, sometimes I don’t even understand it myself. But I want you to stop and ask yourself if you want to be responsible for making your daughter cry. Because she almost did today because of the way you handled this visit.” Kevin is sitting stiffly, listening. A glance back at Mary shows she looks stricken and pale. “And I know how much you love your daughter and that you never want to see Dani cry, let alone be the reason for it.”
Mary has tears in her own eyes. “No, I never, ever want that,” she says softly.
Michael nods in approval. “Well said, Crew. We just ask you both to keep an open mind and get to know us all individually and together, that’s all.”
“I lied,” Nathan says. “I did get a parking ticket once, in college, when I parked in the bus lane. Since we’re being honest.”
His delivery is classic, dry-as-hell Nate, but it breaks the tension. Dani laughs, which makes Mary giggle. Me and Michael grin.
Dani hands me a glass of water and tells her parents, “And we will respect the no PDA rule.”
Yet even as she says it, she glances back at me and shoots me a look so hot that I clear my throat again. There could be something to this no-touching rule. It will amp up the tension and make me want her even more. Stolen kisses here and there, a hand on her thigh under the table, brushing against her in the hallway—this could be a fun game. I may even have to sneak her into the RV later.
In the meantime, we’re all waiting to hear what Dani’s father’s response will be.
Kevin just slaps his hands on his thighs, nods, and stands up. “Welp. Let’s order some Chinese food for dinner. And let Mary show you baby pictures of Dani.”
CHAPTER8
Nathan
After dinner,Crew offers to help Mary with the dishes. I almost laugh out loud. He helps with dishes at home but never jumps up and practically sprints to the kitchen to do it. He’s now chattering away with Mary as she rinses plates and glasses and hands them over to him to load into the dishwasher. He isdesperateto make her like him.
I’m not sure talking at her like a five-year-old hopped up on candy and Santa’s-coming-tomorrow adrenaline is the way to do it.
I actually feel myself grin, even as I shake my head. I’m sitting at the table with Danielle between me and Michael. There are scrapbooks spread out, and she’s telling us stories about the photos and what seems to be every piece of artwork she created from the time she could hold a crayon or glue stick to the time she left home.
Her parents have clearly doted on her since the day she was born. I’ve never seen this many photos and mementos of one person’s life.
It’s sweet and touching, and clearly she’s enjoying all the memories.
No matter how cool or judgmental they’ve been, I like and respect Kevin and Mary Larkin simply because they created Danielle and have loved her so fucking much.
Have they smothered her a little? Made assumptions about her? Not always listened to her? Sure. But after being in their home for even a couple of hours, there’s no question that they love her.
