Page 140 of Icing on the Cake

It’s his face.

His chiseled jawline, his tousled blond hair, his crystal-blue eyes that are the same shade as someone else I know…holy shit. It’s Gerard’s dad.

“You must be Elliot,” he says with a warm smile.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Gunnarson.”

His deep, booming laugh fills the bathroom. “Please, call me Gavin. Mr. Gunnarson is my father. You know, I’d recognize you anywhere from all the pictures Gerard’s sent me.”

“Pictures? What pictures?”I don’t remember Gerard ever taking any photos of me.

He pulls out his phone and starts scrolling through it. “Here, let me show you. The boy is absolutely smitten with you.”

He tilts the screen toward me, and my eyes widen. There are dozens of candid shots of me taken in the Hockey House. There’s one of me curled up on the couch with my nose buried in a book—no surprise there. Another of me laughing hysterically at something Drew said—he may be crass, but he’s hilarious, too. And one of me sleeping on Gerard’s bed. I grimace at that one. My hair is a wild mess, and my mouth hangs slightly open.

“This one’s my favorite,” Gavin says, stopping on a picture of me and Gerard. We’re sitting at the kitchen table, our heads bent close together as we study. Gerard’s hand rests on my thigh, and I’m leaning into him. I remember that day. Oliver was sitting across from us—that traitor. “You make him unbelievably happy, Elliot. I’ve never seen him smile like he does with you. Thank you for that.”

Gavin’s words hit me right in the feels. I’m not used to people being openly accepting of me, especially not the parents of the guy I’m dating. It’s a new experience and overwhelming in the best possible way.

“Honestly, I was nervous about meeting you and your wife today. I want to make a good impression, but I’m not the most socially graceful person.”

Gavin chuckles and claps me on the back. His hand is large enough that it engulfs my entire shoulder blade. “Son, you have nothing to be nervous about. Gerard has told us so much about you that we feel like we already know you. And from what I can see, you’re a great match for our boy.”

“Really?” Hope blooms in my chest.

“Absolutely. Where do you think Gerard gets his easygoing nature from?” He points to himself. “My wife and I are pretty chill people. So long as you always treat our son right.”

Relief washes over me, and the tension leaves my body. “Thank you, Gavin.”

“You’re welcome. Now, what do you say we head out there and find our seats? I’m sure Gerard is wondering what’s taking youso long.”

I nod, and we head to the bleachers together. We spot Gerard sitting to the left of a stunning woman with auburn hair and bright green eyes. She has to be Anna, Gerard’s mom.

As we approach, Gerard’s face lights up when he sees me. He jumps to his feet and pulls me into a hug, not caring that we’re in public. “There you are! I was starting to think you fell in.”

He kisses my cheek, and I blush. “Sorry, I ran into your dad. We got to talking.”

Gerard’s eyes widen. “Oh no. What did he say? Did he embarrass me?”

I laugh. “No, nothing like that. He was actually really nice.”

Gavin comes up behind me and ruffles Gerard’s hair. “Of course I was nice. I’m always nice.”

Gerard rolls his eyes fondly. “Sure, Dad. Whatever you say.”

Anna stands up and smooths down her skirt. She’s even more beautiful up close, with high cheekbones and a queenly presence that can’t be taught. “Elliot, it’s wonderful to finally meet you.”

She steps forward and embraces me, soothing my nerves with the scent of her perfume—lavender and vanilla. I’m stunned for a moment, unused to such open affection from someone I’ve just met, but her hug is so gentle and motherly that I melt into it.

“It’s great to meet you too, Mrs. Gunnarson.”

“Please, call me Anna,” she insists with a tinkling laugh that reminds me of wind chimes.

I grin. “Anna, it is then.”

As we take our seats, Anna leans in conspiratorially. “Gerard has been very tight-lipped about how you two met. He refuses to give Gavin or me any of the juicy details. Would you mind filling us in? We’re dying of curiosity over here.”

I glance over at Gerard, who has suddenly become interested in his phone. A pink flush creeps up his neck. It’s adorable how flustered he’s getting.

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