Page 48 of Wish You Would

“Holden, my boy,” his dad says, giving his son a bro-hug before looking at me with kind eyes. “I’m David, Holden’s dad, it’s nice to meet you. Holden tells us you’re from Canada?”

“I am. Born and raised in British Columbia, about 45 minutes outside of Vancouver,” I tell them, taking a seat on the couch next to Holden. “It’s beautiful, especially if you like the mountains and the ocean.”

“I’ve heard it’s just gorgeous,” Barb gushes. “Is your family still up there?”

“My mom and my brother are. My stepdad passed away recently.”

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m sorry,” his mom says, concern clouding her expression.

“Thank you,” I smile softly. “We’re all doing a lot better now.”

“That’s good to hear. So, tell us a little about yourself, Briar. We would love to get to know you better.”

“Oh gosh. Well, I work for Rossi Cheese as their senior director of sales and marketing,” I begin.

“Do you like it?” his dad asks, taking a seat across from me in an armchair. Donna and Barb are both sitting on a loveseat to my left.

“I do. I love my job. I have a great team, and I find it challenging.”

“That’s wonderful. It’s a lucky thing when you love your work. And what about in your spare time? What do you enjoy doing?” his mom asks, pushing her dark brown hair behind her ear.

“Well, when I’m not working, I like to read. I also love interior design. I actually just rented a new apartment, so I was really looking forward to picking out furniture and décor, but—”

“Holden told us about the flood,” his mom interjects. “How awful. But I think it’s wonderful that it worked out having you move in with him for the time being. And it’s so beautiful on Haven Harbor. You must be really enjoying it.”

I place my hand on Holden’s knee like a girlfriend would do. “It’s beautiful. I’m going to miss living across the street from the ocean. I’ll miss Holden making me tea every night before bed too.”

Donna smiles, turning her attention to her son. The way she looks at him makes it clear how much she loves him. You can see how proud she is of him.

I wonder if she is noticing how quiet Holden has been since we arrived. He’s avoiding eye contact, letting me do most of the talking. His mind just seems somewhere else entirely. If his mom does notice, she doesn’t say anything to him about it.

“Oh! I’m being a terrible hostess. I was so excited to meet you, Briar, that I forgot all about the drinks. I made us all Barbie Breezers! I hope you’re a drinker, honey,” she says to me. “We like our cocktails in this house.”

My fake boyfriend shakes his head and smiles as his mom leaves the room, returning a few minutes later with a tray full of bubble-gum pink drinks with lemon slices decorating the rims.

“I’ve never had a Barbie Breezer, but they look delicious,” I say, leaning forward to take the cocktail from Donna. “Thank you.”

The five of us sit in the living room and talk. His parents ask Holden about work, ask about his friends, about what he’s been up to lately. The conversation between them all is easy and relaxed. I like seeing Holden in this setting, with the family who know him best.

Eventually we sit down for dinner, passing around platters filled with roasted chicken, glazed carrots and roasted potatoes. Holden’s dad offers up a toast to welcome me, his son’s new girlfriend, which I immediately feel guilty about. Ialready like his family so much, and I hate that I’m lying to them like this.

As we dig in, Donna gives Holden a play-by-play of their recent trip to New York. “I just love that city,” she gushes. “The food, the people, the shows. There’s just so much going on. Me and Barbie went to seeWicked. Holden, I think you would have loved it. Your dad didn’t want to come see that one, but we did drag him up to the top of the Empire State Building.”

Holden pauses, fork halfway to his mouth. “Wait… Dad went too?”

“Well, sure. I thought I told you he was coming with us? It was his first time to the Big Apple, can you believe that? The three of us had the best time.”

“Great trip,” David says, nodding in agreement. “It’s a world away from Reed Point, that’s for sure. I slept for 10 hours when we got back home, it was nonstop.”

I stifle a grin, popping a bite of carrot in my mouth, then steal a sideways glance at Holden in time to see him shaking his head.

“Dinner is incredible,” I say, rescuing him from having to hear any more details of his parents’ getaway. “You need to tell me how you made this chicken, mine never turns out this good.”

“I can do that, honey. Thank goodness Holden mentioned you don’t eat pork. I was planning on making my mother’s pork tenderloin recipe.”

I turn to look at Holden. He remembered. Once again, he was looking out for me. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that. He clears his throat, knocking me from my thoughts before I get too emotional at the table.

“Well, I appreciate you going out of your way for me.”

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