“Why do I feel like there’s more to it than you just reporting them and moving on?”
“The thing is, Jamie, I feel like I can go in there and fix it—make it right. I’m just not sure I’m brave enough to go in and propose such a thing.” She let out a low laugh. “Your sister put both those ideas in my head—opening my own place and overhauling the Magnolia one.”
“Which do you want more?”
“Honestly? I’d love to do the overhaul and then see how I do with the coordinator position.”
“Then that’s what you should do,” he told her. “I believe in you and I think there isn’t anything you can’t do.”
“I don’t know. I’ve never overhauled anything in my life. What if I get in over my head?”
Putting his arm around her, he hugged her close. “Sweetheart, you came in here and completely overhauled my life and it’s so much better and satisfying than anything I could have imagined. If you could take a mess like me and fall in with me, then believe me, there isn’t anything you can’t do.”
Ryleigh gave her hope.
But Jamie made her believe.
“I love you, Jamie Donovan. So much.”
And there was that killer smile. “I love you too, Fallon. And I think the best is yet to come.”
Chapter Sixteen
Having Fallon move into his house was exciting and it made him incredibly happy.
Sharing that news with his siblings was awesome and they celebrated by everyone coming over for a barbecue.
But getting ready to head to his parents’ house for Sunday dinner with Asher for the first time was stressing him out so much, he was practically breaking out in hives.
“What’s wrong with your face?” Fallon asked when she spotted him at the kitchen table Sunday morning. Jenn had just left after her scheduled visit with Asher, and Fallon had just walked her out.
“What are you talking about?”
“Are you seriously still freaking out? This is just dinner with your family! Don’t you do this sort of thing every Sunday?”
“We do, but…I told my mother that I was bringing two extra people and she sort of made a disapproving sound.”
“Why?”
“If I said I was bringing someone—as in singular—she would have been thrilled and figured I was bringing a girl home with me. But I think it’s the two that’s throwing her off. I don’t know.” He let out a long breath. “I know it’s going to be fine once we walk in the door and she sees you, but…I’m a little scared about how she’s going to be disappointed in me about Asher.”
“Oh my God! Are you serious right now? She is going to be so in love with him that she’s not going to focus on anything else!”
“I know you think you know my mother, but I’m telling you, she’s going to put two and two together and remember Jenn and how I blew her off and…” Groaning, she sank down lower in his seat.
“Aww…” Leaning down, she kissed him on the cheek. “I’m sure all you have to do is bat those big brown eyes at her and tell her how much you love her and she’ll forgive you. After all, you’re her baby boy.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “Yeah, that sounds like something I’d do.”
“But now you have me worried about me.”
“Why?”
“What if she gets upset that you’re with me instead of Jenn? I know how traditional your mom can be and…maybe she’ll feel that as Asher’s parents, the two of you are the ones who should be together. And then she’ll resent me for being the reason you’re not!” She collapsed in the chair beside him.
And that was honestly the kick in the ass he needed to snap out of his pity party and do what needed to be done.
Standing, he kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
Her expression was one of mild panic and confusion. “What? Why? Where are you going?”
“I’m going to talk to my folks before everyone gets there. This way, if there’s any disapproval or any other nonsense, it can happen without an audience.”
“Jamie…”
But he headed for the door, grabbed his keys, and walked out.
So many times in his life he relied on the security of having his siblings close by to either back him up or form a distraction, but this was something that he needed to handle on his own.
The drive to his parents’ house was short and he only had to knock twice before letting himself in.
“Jamie!” his father called out as he greeted him. “It’s early! What are you doing here already?”
“Hey, Dad.” Giving him a hug, he smiled. “I wanted a chance to talk to you and Mom before everyone got here.”
“Kate! Jamie’s here!”
“What? It’s early! I don’t have food ready yet!” she yelled back.
“I’m not here for food…”
“Do you want to talk about the pub?” his father asked. “It sounds like everything went great while we were gone. And honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready to dive back into work mode. I’m very relaxed.”
“It’s not about the pub.”
“Oh.” And with a serious look, Shane Donovan turned and walked to the kitchen. Jamie heard his parents talking in hushed tones and his palms started to sweat.
Swallowing hard, he walked into the living room and sat and waited for them.
And waited.
And waited.
When they finally joined him, neither looked overly friendly. It felt like he was fifteen again and they were coming in to tell him how disappointed they were and how they were grounding him for sneaking out after curfew.
Before either spoke, Jamie got up and hugged his mother and kissed her on the cheek. “How was your trip?”
“We’ll talk about it when everyone’s here,” she said stiffly. “Now, why don’t you tell us why you’re here early and looking as guilty as the devil himself?”
Oh, good grief…
“For starters, I’m not looking guilty. I have something important to share with you. Actually, two important things, and I felt like I should do it before everyone got here.”
His parents exchanged looks before simply nodding at him.
He took a moment to compose his thoughts and calm his nerves before he began. “Mom, Dad…I have a son.”
“What?!” Kate cried. “When did this happen? How old is he?” Then she groaned. “Oh, I knew this would happen! You with your Casanova ways! Who was it? Are you marrying her? Please tell me you’re marrying her!”
Okay, so Fallon was right on the nose with that one.
“Do you remember Jenn Randall? We dated briefly…”
“Of course we remember her,” his mother snapped. “She was completely gaga over you and didn’t take the breakup well.” Then she gasped. “You got her pregnant? And you refused to take responsibility for all this time?”
That’s when the tears started.
“How am I supposed to show my face around town now?” she wailed. “Shane, how did we raise someone so heartless?”