Page 105 of Beau & Autumn

“Maybe I should send some to Penny. I don’t know where she lives though, and sending them to work might be a bit soon?”

“Take a modest bunch of roses or something to your date on Friday. Trust me, girls love flowers,” I tell him matter-of-factly like I’ve got the world figured out.

And maybe in some weird way I do.Well, my world at least.

So there we both sit, two geeks working out the world, one gaming app and beauty at a time.

And as I eat, my heart thrums once more because I know that in just a short while, I’m going to be able to get back to my wife.

29

Autumn

I stare at the phone. My dad’s calling. I brace myself as I answer, my stomach turning in knots. This conversation is either going to be bad, or worse, I can feel it in my bones.

“Dad?” Who else?

“Autumn. Have you got a moment to talk?”

Uh, oh. Dad rarely calls me.

“Of course.” I’m in my office, getting organized for the wedding this coming weekend. “What’s up?”

He takes a long moment to respond. “We want to visit.”

The words hang in the air, and I’m tempted to ask why. But I don’t. I was raised with manners and human decency, so I keep my thoughts to myself. There is no point in going into all the gory details of how me and Beau got to this point, and it’ll only give my mom more ammunition against us.

“Uh, alright.”

“And we’d like to meet Beau’s parents. It only seems right to meet formally and since we’ve not received an invitation yet, I’m assuming they’re just as shocked as we are.”

I clutch a hand to my neck. I guess I hadn’t really prepared myself for this, but it was bound to happen. “We’re not purposely leaving you and Mom out, and yes, Beau’s parents were surprised. His mom was very happy for us. His dad, well, he’s still on the fence,” I explain. “But I want to see you, and I’m sure they’d love to meet you.”

“Good, because there are things to say that can’t be said over the phone.”

“Dad?” I feel the tears well in my eyes. I’ve always been the apple of my dad’s eye, and to earn his disapproval makes me sad. Though, I know I brought it on myself by lying in the first place.

Beau and I were both so worried about ruining our friendship, neither wanted to speak up and tell each other how we felt. That’s on us, and yes I regret it. If I could go back and change things, I would. I would tell Beau exactly how I felt and risk that he’d have to let me down gently. I’ve always read those tropes in romance books about miscommunication, and here I am a prime example of what not to do. I was so caught up in trying not to ruin everything that I lost sight of what my real reason was for doing all of this; to be with Beau.

“I want the best for you,” Dad goes on. “You’re my only daughter. You deserve the wedding of your dreams, as your father I have concerns about that.”

“Dad, I told you we want to get married as soon as the wedding season is done, when we have time to fit it in.” That part is a hundred percent true now we’re committed. And the thrill of walking up the aisle with our friends and family surrounding us on our happy day sends chills over my skin.

“Great. We’ll have plenty of time to look at all the options when we arrive this weekend.”

“This weekend?” I squeak.

“Honey, I need to meet the people who are now a part of this family.”

“You need to, but what about Mom?”

“Mom will come around, you need to give her time.”

“I won’t be giving her time to tell me off again for not running back to Michael. He’s a cheater, Dad, I’ll never want a man like that in my life. You wouldn’t want a man like that for me.”

“You’re right,” Dad confirms. “It wouldn’t be good enough and your mom and I have had a long talk about all of that. She had no right to say those things. The last thing I need is my daughter married to a cheating piece of shit who has a wandering eye.”

I’ve heard my father swear maybe once or twice in my entire life, so even him saying ‘shit’ is a big deal.

---