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Nodding, Brenden gives him a smile before turning to Anna.
“It’s just Anna, and don’t even try that hand-shaking BS with me,” she tells him, pulling him into a hug.
Brenden’s eyes are wide as he looks at me, a bright smile filling his face when she whispers something in his ear.
“All right, I’m going to walk them out,” I tell him as Anna pulls out of their embrace.
He nods, continuing to grin as we make our way inside the house to gather their things.
“Lizzy, dear…we want you to know how much we like Brenden,” Anna says once we walk in the back door. “He seems like a lovely young man, and the kids certainly seem to approve.”
Tears fills my eyes, threatening to stream down my face as I reply, “You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that. I felt so unsure about having him here today.”
“Well, I hope it wasn’t because you were worried about us. We know you loved our son very much, as he did you. He’d want you to be happy. It’s plain as day how much Brenden cares for you, and he’s made such a difference in you. That’s what Xander would want. Love is selfless that way.”
My tears fall freely as I hug her tight. “Thank you.”
Brenden
“John, Patricia…I want you to meet Lizzy Shea,” I beam, my pulse racing.
Introducing Lizzy to Jon’s parents is huge for me. It’s as close as I’ll ever get to introducing a woman to my parents. This is a first for me.
“Lizzy…these are Jon’s parents.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Alder,” Lizzy says, formally extending her hand.
“Oh my goodness!” Patricia squeals, pulling Lizzy into a hug. “Please, call us Patty and John.”
“Oh…okay.” Lizzy chuckles nervously as Patricia releases her.
“We’re so thrilled to meet you,” Patricia goes on. “We’ve heard so many wonderful things about you.”
“Really?” Lizzy smirks as she looks over to me, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment.
“Yes, you’re all the boy talks about anymore, but it’s so wonderful to finally see him in love.”
Lizzy and I both stiffen the second Patricia utters the word love.
Before the party started, I admitted to Allison that I’m in love with Lizzy, and it felt good saying it out loud.
Until Allison asked if Lizzy loved me in return.
Her question hit a nerve of uncertainty, because I can’t answer that. It’s exactly why I haven’t been able to bring myself to tell Lizzy I love her. I’m afraid she doesn’t feel the same way and it would make her freak out.
Lizzy’s wide eyes and heavy breathing tell me that’s precisely what she’s doing right now.
“Are you all right, dear?” Patricia asks, as Lizzy’s mouth remains agape on her paled face.
With a vacant look, Lizzy nods in response. I take her hand and squeeze it, willing her to look at me. When she doesn’t, every fear I’ve tried to push away begins to bubble to the surface.
“Will you guys excuse us for a moment?” I ask, forcing a smile. “We’re going to step outside to get some fresh air.” I pull Lizzy away from them and toward the door before Patricia even has a chance to respond.
I’m hyper-focused as I guide us through the crowd of people, wanting to speak to her without prying eyes and ears. My head spins as my thoughts grow darker. Even though a part of me expected Lizzy to react this way, I still hoped we were past all this shit.
What if she can’t move past this point? What if she can’t let go of what she had, long enough to realize what we could have together—what we already have together?
I shut the door behind us as we step outside, and she pulls her hand from mine to put some distance between us.
