“It’s nice to meet you all.” As soon as I say the words, they all squeal.
Faster than a blink, the women are bringing me into a tight hug, somehow pinching both of my cheeks in the process.
“Wow, she smells good.”
“Hmmm… like Nonni’s sugar cookies.”
“Welcome home, sweetheart.”
Once I’m out of their embrace, Luke tries to hide his smile and rubs my cheek, revealing red lipstick on his thumb.When did one of them kiss me?
“Oh, you’re so beautiful,” his aunt says.
“Luke hasn’t ever brought a girl with him before,” Dani exclaims.
“But it’s about time he’s settled down. I want more great-grandchildren running around here,” his grandmother adds as she brings Luke into a tight hug. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Yeah—” He stiffens in her grasp.
There’s a pinch in my chest at the sight of him being uncomfortable. I know part of it is because Davis is in this same house. That, and these women are a bit much. Still, I hate seeing him guarded, like he’s waiting for something to go wrong. I want to fix it, to step between him and whatever’s making him shrink like this.
“So how long have you two been together?” Dani asks, asmile growing on her slightly wrinkled face. The three of them stare at us, practically sharing matching hearts in their eyes.
Luke starts to shake his head and says, “We’re not?—”
“Oh, I can tell it’s still new,” his Aunt Andy adds, “just look at how he lights up when he looks at her.”
Those words freeze me in place.‘Can’t you see how he lights up when you're around?’The words Wren said to me a few nights ago ring in my mind. I turn to look at Luke to see if it’s true. Does he light up when he’s with me? What does that mean?
His grandmother takes my hand into hers as she says, “She’s the one. Isn’t she, Luke? It’s why you’ve brought her here.”
“Let me go get my camera.”
“They’re going to have such beautiful babies, aren’t they?”
“Oh, look at how nervous he is. It’s so sweet,” Dani squeals, pinching his cheek.
What they think are nerves, I know is actually Luke’s composure starting to crumble. I’m not sure that they notice the tightness of his shoulders, as if he’s bracing for impact, or recognize the way his eyes are darting between the four of us.
I can sense the moment Luke is about to lose it. Sweat is beading on his forehead, and his chest is rising quickly. Most people wouldn't notice, but I do. I’ve seen him on the edge, barely holding it together, and something in me reacts.
I know what it feels like to have no one notice you unraveling and I refuse to let Luke feel that way. Maybe if his family thinks we’re together, they’ll ease up. So before I can second-guess myself, I open my mouth, and I lie for him.
“It’s still really new,” I say, cutting in before anyone else can speak. “We haven’t told anyone yet—not even his mom. But I came because I wanted to be here for him.” I glance at Luke, wishing I could take the edge off the panic I see creeping in. “I figured if I was here, it might take some of the pressure off. So please, if you’re curious about anything, I’m happyto answer any questions. Just…maybe give Luke a little room to breathe first.”
Luke looks dumbfounded. Some far recess of my mind is shouting,what did I just do? I can feel heat creeping up my chest and onto my cheeks.
A look of sympathy washes over his grandmother. “Oh, of course. I’m sorry, we can be a bit presumptuous. Here, let me show you both to your room and give you some space to get settled before dinner.”
Luke pales like he’s seen a ghost. He grabs our things and follows his grandmother down the hallway without looking my way. I follow closely behind, and by the time we reach the bedroom, panic is already rising in my throat.
What if I read him wrong?
What if he’s angry that I suggested we were dating?
What if I just made everything worse for him?
I look around, seeing that she is gesturing to one room.One. Room.
