Page 36 of Coming for You


Font Size:

By the time I’m done, we don’t have to worry about serving lunch to anyone. They’re all starting to track back to the cabin in search of the food they were promised a good hour ago.

I notice Jess and Brianna are still doing the staring and hushed whispers thing every time Knox winds up in their line of vision and decide it’s time to do more than just dip my toe in my new reality. “Yes, it’s Knox Marley. No, he’s not going to sign any part of your body. And yes,” I pause to cross the few feet of distance between us and take his hand, “we’re together. Like, together-together. Like, you can still ogle him at his concerts, but not in private settings like this one, together.” I look up at him, to make sure we’re on the same page.

He’s grinning from ear to ear. “I already told them all of that.” He tugs me closer, moving his hand from mine so he can wrap his arm around my waste and slide his fingers in my front pocket, anchoring me to his side. “But I think I like hearing you say it even more than I like telling people.”

“You two are going to be real problem for me if you keep it up,” my brother mumbles. “I’m used to bringing home takeout on random nights and being hailed a romantic hero because I saved dinner. I have a feeling that’s not going to continue to garner me big praise if Sila keeps being exposed to all of this.” He gestures wildly with his hands, trying to encompass the two of us.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Sila interjects, moving in beside him and snaking one arm up around his neck. “Did you remember to swing by the deli for fruit and veggie platters like I asked?”

“Absolutely.”

I’m not sure if everyone can tell, but being as he’s my little brother, I know just based on the way his left eyebrow quirked when he said it, he nearly forgot.

“My hero,” Sila swoons.

Then we all laugh at Devin’s expense before our picnic lunch takes over and things begin to feel just normal. No more whispering. No more staring. And no more pretending I’m not totally falling forKnox Marley, Rock God.

We stay out on the water until it’s nearly sunset, and while I lose interest in fishing early on, Sloan stays committed to the very end, adding her fair share of catches to the overall collection. They’ll all go home with my brother tonight and he’ll clean them up, filet and freeze them until the next big cookout at his place.

Knox hangs in there with her for quite a while, but he doesn’t have nearly the same luck she does.

By the time we’re back at the marina saying our goodbyes to everyone, it feels like this was just any other Sunday, out on the boat, enjoying family and friends. It’s both comforting and scary but given my decision to lean into faith and let go of fear, I do my best to dwell in the natural way this man is blending in with all my most favorite people.

“Can we get pizza for dinner?” Sloan asks before she’s even buckled up.

I’m in the driver’s seat again for a change, but it’s Knox who answers. “Really? Pizza after ice cream and cold cuts sandwiches? Doesn’t your body want a homecooked meal right about now?”

She shrugs. “Not really. My body likes pizza. Especially the stuffed crust sort.”

I roll my eyes. “You just like everything that’s eighty percent cheese.”

“Cheese is life.” She pumps her hand in the air several times.

“Well, so are vegetables. Which we’re eating. At home. From our kitchen.” I watch in the rearview mirror as her face forms a slight scowl before she lights up again. “You just remembered I picked up everything we need for veggie lasagna, didn’t you?”

“Yep.” She grins. “Including fresh bread for roasting with garlic butter. Andcheese.”

“Y’all are making me hungry just listening,” Knox remarks. “Let’s get out of here already and get home so we can make dinner.”

I don’t say anything else. I just drive. And smile. Like, until my face hurts.

The drive doesn’t take too long, thanks to non-stop green lights and limited traffic on a Sunday evening, and so, we’re pulling into the driveway before we know it.

Unlike our early morning arrival just a few hours ago, this time we’re not greeted by the sleepy silence of a lazy Sunday morning. Both my parents are walking out to meet us as soon as I pull in.

Either my brother tipped them off, or they caught sight of Knox coming and going this morning because neither one of them looks all that surprised to see I have a man in tow as we all load out of the truck.

“Have a good day out on the water?” my mother asks, coming to a stop at the end of the carport just a few feet from us. Also, it was clearly my brother who spilled the beans.

“We did.” I look back over my shoulder to find Knox already standing right behind me. “I’m glad you guys are out here. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” I turn to indicate the man I think may be the very man I’ve waited my whole life to introduce to my parents. “Ma, Javier., this is Knox.” I smile at him. Because I literally can’t help myself. Then I turn back to face my parents. “Knox, these are my parents, Jacinda and Javier.” Huh. Hearing everyone’s names out loud, I’m only now noticing that Knox and I are doing the same matchy-matchy thing with our initials my parents have going on. The very matchy-matchy sort of thing I’d ordinarily find reason to mockfor its unbearably high ‘cute’ factor, but which I now suddenly find, well, cute, in a ‘meant to be’ kind of fashion.Gross.

My stepdad moves forward to shake hands with Knox. “Knox. That’s an interesting name.”

“Thanks. My parents had to name a bunch of us back-to-back, and I’ve always appreciated they stayed creative the whole way through.” After their man-to-man moment, Knox moves on to my mom with a hug, which both surprises me while still seeming the obvious choice. Whatever they say to each other is muffled by the embrace but if my mother’s glossy eyes and emotionally loaded smile are any indication, he’s successfully won her over already.

“I made tea,” my mother announces. It probably seems out of the blue to Knox, but it’s pretty standard for my mother. She’s always making tea. And she’s always looking to share. “Why don’t you all come on in.”

“Sounds great.” Knox wraps his arm around my waist as we start for the door.