Page 39 of Confessions of the Funny Fat Friend

I was about to argue, but Grandma paraded Tyler our way and said, “Tamica, this is Tyler. Tyler, this is the backbone that holds this family together.”

“You can call me Tam,” my mother said, smiling as she reached for Tyler’s hand. “We’re so happy to have you here. Can I get you a lemonade or maybe a beer?”

“A lemonade would be real nice, Tam. Thank you.”

“Of course,” she said, reaching for the pitcher. I grabbed a red Solo cup for him, feeling Tyler’s eyes on me. When I chanced a glance his way, there was a warm look in his eyes and a half smile on his lips.

Warmth flooded my chest as I fluttered my eyelids down and wrote his name on the cup. Giving him a labeled cup felt like giving him a place in our family. And my family was everything to me. No matter how crazy it got when all my brothers were home, no matter how overbearing my grandma’s search for my mate could be, I couldn’t imagine getting serious with anyone they didn’t love.

Dad came out of the garage, carrying a tray of hot dogs and burgers, and said, “Tyler, why don’t you come help me with the grill?”

20

Tyler

My stomach was a ball of nerves as Tam loaded my arms with spices and I followed Murphy out to the backyard. Of course, Henrietta’s brothers had given me the stare down, just as Cohen and Jonas had, but it was her dad who made me on edge.

He had an easy smile, but eyes that didn’t miss anything. Just from our short meeting, I could tell he was the kind of guy who would give you his trust until you broke it, and I wasn’t going to give him a reason not to trust me.

As we walked to the grill, I glanced around the yard, seeing garden beds all around the perimeter, filled with lush plants and fruit trees. Catching my gaze, Murphy said, “Will you go grab a few zucchinis from that bed over there? Maybe pull a couple onions. This time of year, it’s all we can do to keep up with Tam’s green thumb.”

“Sure thing,” I said, walking to the beds he pointed out. This garden was really something. I was sure if Tam and my mom got together, they’d talk for hours about soil amendments and growing seasons.

“Hose is over there,” Murphy said, pointing his tongs to the side yard.

I grabbed the hose and used the spray nozzle, turning it to the center setting to rinse off the plants.

When I returned to the outdoor kitchen area with the produce, Murphy said, “Tam’s going to be impressed.”

“These are looking really good,” I said about the vegetables.

“No, she always says you can tell a lot about a person by the hose setting they use. She’d approve of your choice for cleaning.”

I laughed. “She’s into garden psychology then.”

He cracked a smile of his own. “Something like that.”

While he began heating the grill with propane—my dad would approve—he had me chop the vegetables and wrap them in a foil sheet. I was halfway through the first sweet onion when he began talking.

“Henrietta’s our only daughter, our baby girl.”

I stalled my knife for a little while, then began chopping more slowly. I listened carefully for his words, despite the fact that I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears, the sound of child’s laughter coming from inside.

“She’s got three brothers who would drop anything to be there for her, but she’s independent as hell and has a stubborn streak to match. She’s fiercely loyal, unendingly kind, and if you take her to a baseball field, she’s got a swing that won’t quit.”

I found a smile on my lips. He was naming a lot of the things I liked about her—except for the baseball swing. I needed to see that for myself one of these days.

Murphy grew quiet, and I found the courage to meet his eyes. When I did, I saw his wrinkles first. The concern for his daughter, but the fierce protection was there in his stare.

“If you hurt my daughter or plan to drop her for another girl the second you go home, I’d appreciate it if you just went back to being coworkers only.”

“We are only coworkers,” I said.

A humorless smile twitched at the corner of his lips. “Either you’re lying to me or yourself. Which one is it?”

My throat felt thick, and I swallowed. “Sir, where I come from, we do things a little differently when we meet a girl, a woman, we really like. I wouldn’t dream of getting serious with your daughter unless I first asked your permission. If it’s alright with you, I’d like the chance to date your daughter.”

Another peel of laughter broke through the silence while I waited for Murphy’s answer. He gave me one of those easy smiles again and said, “You have my blessing.” I was about to celebrate when he added, “But Hen’s opinion is the one that matters.”

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