Page 139 of Surprisingly Us

Rhys and I have been texting all day, with no mention of what we did over the phone last night. I’m not sure if that means we’re planning to pretend it didn’t happen or if we both still need more time to think about what it means for our fake relationship that little by little seems to be edging into something real.

I’m good with tabling it for another night.

Clutching the bottle of wine in my hand, I tuck my phone away and walk over to my parents’ apartment. I’m excited to spend time with them tonight,bothof them, as it’s been nearly impossible to catch them together lately.

When my dad greets me at the door, I throw my arms around him.

“Hi, sweetheart.” His tight squeeze causes emotion to bubble up. With everything going on with Rhys and the engagement, I didn’t know how much I needed it. To be at home with them, just the three of us, like it’s always been. “It’s great to see you.”

“You, too. It feels like we haven’t had time like this in forever.”

My mom walks into the room and takes in my watery eyes.

“Why are you crying?” She glances to my dad, an accusing expression on her face. “Did you already tell her?”

I wipe at my eyes. “I was telling Dad it feels like it’s been so long since we had a family dinner, and I’ve missed it, that’s all.” My mom’s question finally sinks in, and I glance between my parents. “Tell me what?”

They share a look, and it makes my stomach drop. It’s not a typical look they share, filled with affection or warmth, understanding or passion. It’s a look of defeat.

“What is it?” My mind is whirring. My subconscious kicking into high gear, thinking up every possible scenario. They’re moving. My dad lost his job. One of them is sick. Likereallysick.

My mom plasters a smile on her face. “Should we eat first?”

She has a plan and she’s trying to steer us back on course, but there’s no way I can sit through dinner when they’ve clearly got something important to tell me.

“I won’t be able to eat. Please, tell me now.”

“I really think it’s best—” she starts, but my dad cuts her off.

He nods toward my panicked face. “We should tell her.”

My mom sighs, motioning toward the living room. “Fine. Let’s sit.”

I sit down on the couch next to my mom, then glance around the space for clues. It looks exactly like it did when I was here last. Or maybe it looks completely different but I can’t tell because my brain is overloaded trying to guess what my parents’ news is.

“Honey—”

“Sweetheart—”

They both start talking at once.

“Just tell me. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” If I say it, maybe that will make it true. Because the reality is when it comes to my parents, my family, I’m a pile of mush.

“We’re separated,” my dad says.

I blink. His words are a punch to the gut. My chest caves in and I can’t seem to breathe.

That possibility hadn’t even crossed my mind.

My parents.Separated?Not a thing.

Even my brain, which is desperately trying to grasp the concept, comes back with an error message.Does not compute.

There’s a hundred-year-old tree at Lake George where my dad carved in Mer & Tom 4EVA.

Except, maybe it does. It would explain why I haven’t seen them together much lately. Even at events where they were both in attendance, they weren’twitheach other. And how difficult it’s been to reschedule our family dinner night.

“Since when?” I finally ask. “How long have you been waiting to tell me?”

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