Page 71 of The Risks of Reuniting

She takes a water filter pitcher from the fridge and pours us both a glass, and when we're done drinking I watch as she straightens her shoulders, juts out her chin, and faces this thing head-on. I'm glad.

"What next?" she asks. "I go to work tomorrow, and you start your internship. I'm assuming your family is expecting to see you today, just like mine is expecting to see me."

I set my cup in the sink and lean back against the countertops, folding my arms across my chest. "What would you think about coming with me to see my family, and I'll go with you to see yours?"

She mimics my pose, leaning back herself, poker face on. "Does your family have any idea I'm about to be sprung on them?"

I smack my lips. "My mom knows you were in Peru, but I haven't updated her on our . . . new understanding."

"That doesn't make me want to go."

"Gavin mentioned you needing a life insurance policy on me," I chuckle, referencing the text exchanged she'd let me read on the plane. "It's not looking comfortable for either of us."

"What time is your family expecting you?"

"Lunch at one," I reply. "Yours?"

"Dinner at five."

"Nice. If you're willing, that works out well."

Her shoulders sag and she scrubs a hand down her makeup-free face. "I'm tired, Holt. I've been awake since seven o'clock yesterday morning, aside from some dozing on the last flight. I need a shower and a nap. I'm not sure I can face people today as a reunited couple. They'll have questions that we don't have answers for yet."

I can see the truth of it in her body, and I unfold my arms and step forward to hug her close. "I'm not pushing, and we can definitely wait to go see everyone together. So, what's first? Nap or shower?"

She presses her forehead against my shoulder. "Nap. I think I'd fall over in the shower."

I skim my palms down her back. "Okay. Nap. Let's scoot." I walk her up the stairs to her bedroom and try not to take a depressing walk down memory lane again as I pull down the covers and gently push her to lie down. "I'll take the living room couch. It's10:30. If you don't need to see your family until five, there's plenty of time for a good nap."

She bites at her lips and pulls the blanket up to her chin. "If we did go see each other's families, I'd want you to tell your parents first. Give them time to process. Mine already know we're back together."

I know she doesn't totally believe me, but my parents would be thrilled if she simply showed up one day. "I can do that. I know they'd love to see you."

She yawns and closes her eyes. "You said lunch at one?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'll go with you."

It's hard not to fist bump the air above me, but I manage to be chill about it. "That gives us an hour or so before it's time to shower."

"Peru taught me how to shower fast." She smiles up at me, and she's so beautiful. No other woman has ever matched up to her in my eyes.

I bend down and kiss her lightly just before she yawns again. "Make it two hours then. We can be a minute late to lunch."

The fact is, I think my parents would forgive me for not showing up until two if I brought her with me.

She nods and rolls to her side, tugging the covers as she does. "Tell your family, Holt, or I'm not going with you."

Her breathing grows even before I've made it out of the room.

I take my phone out of my pocket as I walk back down the stairs and text my parents. As an only child, my text group is pretty small, but our relationship is tight. As I compose the text I feel guilty for not telling them earlier that Chloe and I have officially reconnected. They love Chloe. They embraced her wholeheartedly from day one, and they tried to be understanding when we fell apart. Every now and again my mom will still ask me about her, but it's always been the same answer. I know they'll be happy about this development, but I also know Chloe is right – it's not fair to spring her on them.

Hey guys, big news. Chloe and I have decided to date again. I'm going to bring her to lunch today.

I sit down on the couch and kick off my shoes before tugging a throw blanket down and lying back. Adrenaline has kept me going to this point, but now I'm feeling that same drag that Chloe was.

I'm taking a nap before we come over, so my phone will be on silent. We will both see you at 1. Love you.

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