“Are you doing okay?” Her eyes were tight with worry, even though everything had been fine.
“I’m more than okay. Your parents are great.” I gave her a kiss to reassure her and felt her soften against me.
“Everything is good,” I said.
She smiled slowly. “It is, isn’t it?”
“How are you feeling about talking to them yesterday?” I asked. I hadn’t had a chance to ask her until now.
“Better,” she said. “Much better after I had a chance to sleep on everything. Preston could tell I was stressed out, so he begged to sleep with me last night and for some reason, that made all the difference. I still don’t really know what to call myself, but I don’t know if I care that much. I’m with who I’m with. I don’t owe anyone a label.”
“I agree,” I said.
“Kenna, play with me,” Preston begged, running over and throwing his little arms around my legs.
“Okay, let’s play.”
Howard and Arthur set up a little ice cream station on the porch for dessert and we talked and laughed until Preston fell asleep and Howard agreed to take him inside and put him in bed.
“You two compliment each other very well,” Arthur observed.
I thought so, but on paper, we were a complete mismatch. Good thing paper wasn’t reality.
The reality was, in spite of our age difference, her divorce, and everything else, we fit together. We worked.
Piper took my hand and squeezed it.
“We go together like peanut butter and jelly,” she said.
I squeezed her hand back and couldn’t take my eyes off her face.
I’ve been studying. I think I’m ready, although I do feel like I’m back in college and prepping for an exam Piper sent later that night. The big dinner with my family was tomorrow, and I wondered if she was as nervous as I was to meet her parents. Everything with them couldn’t have gone any better, so I hoped my family wouldn’t be a complete disaster.
If something goes awry, you’re not going to break up with me, are you? I was only half-joking.
I’m going to make your family adore me so that’s not even a consideration she replied.
You seem awfully confident I sent.
You know I always get what I want she responded.
Hollis drove over to pick up Piper and it was strange to have her in the backseat with me.
“Thanks for the ride,” she said. I hoped she didn’t think Hollis’s car was too dirty or was uncomfortable with all of us together. She hadn’t hung out with Julia and Hollis since we’d announced we were together.
“No problem. Have you memorized everyone?” Hollis asked with a smile.
“I think so,” she said.
“Don’t worry, you’re not going to get quizzed,” I said, putting my hand on her leg and squeezing.
“Mom might ask you literally everything about yourself, just so you know,” Julia said.
“It’s fine. I think I can handle it.”
Piper’s fingers found mine and she gripped my hand, the only show that she was nervous.
“You’re going to be amazing,” I whispered to her, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.
“Thanks,” she whispered back.
Of course, she was incredible. She did know every single name, the kids were all over a shiny new person, and she charmed both Mom and Dad, especially when she volunteered to help me with the dishes since it was my turn.
She also helped me pass out dessert to the kids while they watched the movie, and they were all completely enamored of her. I mean, she did have a toddler, so she was a natural with kids. We both ended up on the floor with them draped all over us and asking her questions during the movie. No amount of shushing would make them stop. Piper was beautiful and personable, and she was right. She won every single person over, especially Rob and Tony, and she told them about her dads and said they could send an email to connect and get support.
“We love her,” Mom said as I hugged her goodbye. “I’m so happy for you.”
Mom’s eyes shone with tears and I could tell Dad was happy too.
Piper got hugs too, and she clasped my hand as we walked out to the car. We were going right to yoga, but we stopped at the farmhouse to change into yoga clothes before heading over.
“Well, you’re a hit with the Williams,” Julia announced.
“I knew she would be,” I said.
This weekend could not have gone any better, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
While on the way to yoga, Howard texted asking if Piper would mind if they took Preston for the night.
“What do you think? Want to stay over and not worry about getting interrupted?” Piper whispered to me, her hand walking up and down my leg.
“I’m in,” I whispered back.
Piper and I didn’t even bother to shower when we got back from yoga. She attacked me as soon as we shut the front door, and we fumbled our way to the couch, heedless of the sand or sweat on our clothes.
“Now I’m all bendy from yoga for you. My hips are so open,” she said with a wicked smile.
“Let’s find out just how open,” I said, pushing her back on the couch.
Very, very open, it turned out.
Eventually we made it to the shower and then to bed. The mess could be dealt with the next day. Piper had built in some vacation time so she could spend as many hours as possible with her parents before they left, and Preston could have time with his grandparents.
I wasn’t quite sure where I fit in, but she asked me if I wanted to come over after I finished yoga the next morning.
“I just have an interview for a new private yoga client, but then I’m free,” I said, winding her damp hair around my fingers.
“Great. You can just meet us here and then we’re taking Preston to the beach, since the weather is going to be so nice.”
“Sounds like the perfect day,” I said, so happy to be included.
“It will be perfect because you’ll be there,” she said, kissing the tip of my nose.
“Stop saying things like that,” I said, blushing.
“You know I’m really happy that I met you, right? You came into my life when I needed light and made everything bright again.”
“I feel the same way,” I said.
We talked until we both fell asleep, but I woke up in the middle of the night with moonlight slanting in through the curtains.
Piper was still asleep, but my mind started racing.
All of this was supposed to be temporary. I wasn’t supposed to settle in Castleton. It was a stopping place. A pause. But the more I thought about it, the more I didn’t want to leave.
I wanted to stay right here. What was I going to find out in the world that was better than the woman in my arms and her son? What place could I see my family every week, and have breakfast with my closest sister? The people were so welcoming, the beach was gorgeous; I could give up juice bars and public transportation.
Why on earth would I go anywhere else?
I got up and kissed a sleeping Piper before getting ready and heading over to the beach in the dark. I sent River a message saying I needed to talk to her when she got up. Deep in my soul, I knew I was making the right decision, but I still needed someone to tell me that I was doing the right thing.