"Okay," Michelle said, leaning forward and lowering her voice to a whisper. "Josh bought our tickets."
"What?!" I exclaimed.
"Shhh," Alicia said. "Keep your voice down. Your parents don’t know."
"How did this happen?"
"Well, I guess that Josh and your mom had this plan worked out for your parents to come out here for the party. Josh then said that he wanted to invite us to come out too, and so he got our numbers from your mom. But when he called and invited us, he told us that he wanted to pay to bring us out here. He said that he had been trying to think of what he could give you to celebrate his achievement in your life, and he knew that having us here would mean the world to you and he wanted to make that happen."
"He did that?" I asked, almost overwhelmed with emotion.
"Yes," Michelle said, her eyes filling with tears. "And the truth is, with us having already planned one trip out here, we wouldn’t have been able to afford to come out. But he was so sweet and wanted to make this happen for you, and so here we are."
"Oh my goodness," I said. "That is so unbelievably kind."
"I know," Alicia said, smiling.
"So, that is why we say we approve. Not because he’s rich and can spend money like that, but because he is so thoughtful and would stop at nothing to make you happy."
I smiled. "I’m glad you approve," I said. "But we’re not dating."
"But you know that he’s in love with you," Michelle said.
"I don’t know that," I said.
"Take one look at his face when he sees you," she answered. "It’s there. Everyone can see it."
"And you’re in love with him," Alicia said.
I shook my head. "I don’t know that," I said. "I haven’t even let myself consider it."
Alicia sighed. "Maybe you should let yourself consider it," she said.
"Consider what?" My mom said, coming onto the deck.
"Um, consider offering a light appetizer for her guests as well as breakfast," Michelle said without missing a beat.
My mom started gushing about how great of an idea she thought that was, and I mouthed the words thank you to Michelle. She nodded at me and then continued to talk with my mom about the types of appetizers that we could serve.
Just then my dad also came onto the deck.
"What is all of this talk about appetizers?" he asked. "How about you let her get the bed and breakfast up and going first, before you start talking her into doing a bed and breakfast and appetizers. Next thing we know you’re going to have her offering three full meals a day!"
I laughed. "Thanks for looking out for me, Dad," I said.
"Speaking of food," my mom said, pointing towards the minivan as it pulled back into the driveway.
As we sat and ate dinner that night, I was so thankful to have everyone together. I loved watching the way they all interacted with one another, and it just seemed so natural and comfortable for us to all be there.
Later that evening I fought back tears as we sat at the bonfire.
"Are you all right?" Josh asked me quietly. Everyone else was involved in conversation, and I knew no one would hear what we were saying.
I nodded and smiled. "I am more than alright," I said. "This is all so wonderful. I will never forget this. I mean, I know that tomorrow is the big party and I know it’s going to be great. But this, right now, and the way I feel, is more than I ever imagined possible."
"I am so glad," he said. "You deserve this," he said. "Every last bit of it."
"Thank you," I whispered.
