Page 52 of Tangled Up In You

GAVIN

“You’ve got to be joking,” Gavin said as Sophie led him inside her family’s Malibu home.

A clear view of the ocean was visible through the entry hallway. The large sliding glass doors were open and the sheer curtains fluttered softly in the breeze. The sound of the waves crashing filled both his ears and his chest.

“You like?” Sophie said, smiling.

“It’s amazing,” he replied.

He turned to admire the colorful modern abstract artwork on the walls. They were real pieces, not prints, and the first paintings he had ever seen in someone’s home. He had always known her parents were wealthy, but knowing and seeing was a different story. As he took in the warm, elegant front room with the plush living area to the right and pristine dining area to the left, he thought of how shocking Ireland must have been for Sophie. Not that his country had been in bad shape then. It had been on the cusp of the prosperous economic Celtic Tiger era, and none of the boys had come from impoverished or rough backgrounds. They’d grown up middle-class on the tame Southside of Dublin. But she had apparently come from a kind of wealth he hadn’t even come close to fathoming. And yet, she had never presented herself as “better than” despite his insecure jabs at her when they first met. Instead, he was the one to feel that he wasn’t worthy of her, always fearing in the back of his mind that he didn’t deserve someone so refined.

“Is that you, Sophie?” a female voice called.

“Yes, we’re here,” Sophie replied, and pulled Gavin deeper into the house.

The hardwood floors carried through to the kitchen where they found an older, if less striking, version of Sophie.

“Mom, this is Gavin,” Sophie said with a big smile. “Baby, this is my mom.”

“You can call me Maggie,” she said, and offered her hand.

Gavin took her hand into both of his and shook it with warmth. “I’m so pleased to meet you,” he said, keeping eye contact.

Her eyes were also hazel, but didn’t quite have the spark Sophie’s did. Tall, with blond hair and high cheekbones, she was a natural beauty, but it was clear that her appearance wasn’t a priority. She was dressed casually in shapeless khakis and a cotton top, her hair pulled into a hasty ponytail. She had been working on a laptop set in a nook in the kitchen and her reading glasses were now hanging from her neck on a beaded chain.

“Well, it is certainly nice to meet you! After all this time of hearing your name, and now here you are!” Maggie said with a smile.

“Yes, it seems the timing has worked in our favor. Didn’t you just get back from a trip to Namibia, was it?”

“We did! Well, by way of London for a few days upon our return. The jet lag is phenomenal. But we’re glad to be home now, and to have you over.”

“I appreciate it as well, but I have to apologize for it being a short visit. I’m due back with the band for a photo shoot soon.”

“Well, that sounds exciting.”

They all turned at the sound of this voice to see a man joining them. With dirty blond hair and wearing cargo shorts and a polo shirt, along with glasses perched over a hawkish nose, he had “dad” written all over him.

“Hey, Dad,” Sophie said, and gave him a hug.

“Good to see you, kid.” As he pulled away, he held Sophie’s hand and naturally looked down at the ring on her finger. It was a thin band of platinum with a round cut three-karat solitaire diamond. “And what is this?”

Gavin hoped his efforts at charming Maggie would allow for a favorable response from her now that their news was out.

“Surprise!” Sophie said with a smile. “We are engaged. And I’m so happy.We’reso happy.”

Her father looked at Maggie. “They’re so happy, Mags,” he said sardonically.

Gavin watchedthe concern color Sophie’s face as she strained to hear her parents’ conversation. They had retreated to the kitchen immediately after the engagement news with the excuse of getting them all something to drink. Their voices couldn’t be heard clearly but it was obvious they were trying to process how to respond.

“It’ll be okay,” Gavin whispered. “Parents tend to love me.”

She laughed nervously and he wished he had the chance to say something more to calm her, but Maggie and her father, Steve, returned with drinks.

The best he could do is squeeze her hand once they were seated and coupled off in the living room.

“So, em, I’m sure you’re very surprised by all that’s happened in such a short period,” Gavin started.

“Surprised is probably a bit of an understatement,” Steve replied.

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