She matched his joking tone, “For a bit anyway.”
“Driving an automatic is kinda fun. Like bumper cars.” He grinned like a child. “There’s not a lot to it.”
“Yes, but you still have to pay attention,” she warned. Then she caught that he’d been egging her on. “Okay, I get it. I’m relaxing. See, shoes off, relaxing, but keep in mind, you’re also about to meet my parents. I’m allowed to be a little nervous.”
Finn cocked his head thoughtfully. “Don’t you think they’ll like me?”
“Of course they will. They’ll adore you,” she reassured, quickly.
“You think I won’t like them?” he asked, sounding more confused.
“No. Everybody likes them. They’re really nice people.”
“Then what?”
This was harder to answer. “They’ve never… I’ve never… well, had a boyfriend to introduce them to,” she mumbled embarrassedly.
Finn waited for more explanation. When none seemed to be coming, he finally prompted her. “And?”
Penelope looked steadfastly out the window. “I’m afraid they’re going to be a little over excited. I’m afraid this could be very embarrassing. For me.”
That brought a genuine burst of laughter from Finn. And for a moment, it felt like their easiness was recaptured. Something in Finn eased. “God, I hope so. That sounds fun.”
Penelope swatted at him playfully. “No. It does not.”
He reached over to squeeze her leg. Penelope sighed, a mixture of contentment and sorrow.
“What?” he asked, concern turning his mouth down.
“I just wish we had more time.” She tried to keep her emotions to the tip of the iceberg, not getting pulled under by the rest. “There are so many more things I’d like to show you. The Michigan State Campus,” she gestured to the exit sign for East Lansing. “Downtown Grand Rapids. I’d love to take you for a nice meal there. To treat you to a fancy hotel like you did for me.”
The memories of that night flashed through both their minds. In unison, they shifted, aware of their bodies’ desires and the need to keep them at bay for a while longer.
“We’ll figure it out,” he said with a soft confidence, speaking of the bigger picture. “Right now, let’s enjoy what we’ve got. Okay?”
She was hit by the pleading sound in his voice. She was so aware of how much this was hurting her that she hadn’t given him enough credit or compassion for how he was feeling.
“Okay,” she agreed firmly.
As they drew closer to her home, Penelope knew she wouldn’t have been able to go to the inn first anyway. Every fiber of her being yearned to step through her front door, hug her parents, and introduce them to the wonderful person by her side.
“You ready?” she asked as they approached the house.
Finn’s eyes were everywhere. He was looking at the cars, the houses, the yards. She caught him looking particularly fascinated by the neighbor’s sprinkler system.
“We don’t get the rain you do,” she explained quickly. “Now, eyes forward, Irish boy. Here we go.”
Reaching for the front door handle with one hand, she reached back for his with her other. Grateful that while verbal communication still felt off, physically their bodies were in tune.His fingers slid into hers like sliding on a glove. Then she pushed the door open. “Mom! Dad! We’re here.”
She could hear the flurry of movement from the kitchen before the almost comical explosion of her parents into the living room.
“Penelope!” Her mother was the first to reach her. Practically pushing Teddy out of the way, she pulled her daughter in for a hug so tight Penelope could barely breathe. She didn’t care, though. She knew she was doing the same right back.
“Move aside, Martha,” Teddy protested. “Sharing is caring.”
Caught up in the emotion of the moment, Martha released Penelope to give Finn an only slightly less exuberant hug.
“Penny-pops,” Teddy exclaimed, finally getting his chance.
