Page 44 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

“I’m excited about staying in the cabin. I love it out here.” I crossed my arms, a little nervous about what I wanted to ask. Asking here was easier than asking when Garrett was shirtless in his cabin. “I’m going out to visit my parents next weekend, and I wondered if you’d like to come along. You’ve already been warned about the arguing, but if that doesn’t bother you too much, I’d like for you to meet them. And Mom says they are trying not to argue as much.” Even though I considered Garrett nothing more than a good friend, I wanted him to meet my parents. Introducing him would earn me hours of having to deny there was anything more than friendship between us, but I didn’t care.

“Absolutely, I’d love to. What night?”

“Saturday.”

“That’ll be fun. And Eli mentioned that you usually have Christmas Eve dinner at his house. He invited me to join y’all.” He crinkled his nose. “If you don’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t mind. You’ll love his mom. And his dad. They are awesome.” I stepped closer and hugged him. “This was fun. Thanks for inviting me.”

“Anytime, Tessa. You’re one of the family now.” He opened my door. “Will you let me know when you get home?”

“Sure.” Since getting back from our vacation, we’d texted or talked every night. It seemed only natural to talk to him at the end of the day.

Chapter 14

Iglanced at the time before calling my mom to remind her one more time that Garrett was only a friend. There was a small—make that huge—worry they’d embarrass me by talking about him as if he were my boyfriend.

With Garrett as a friend, I was happier. And no matter how shocking it seemed to some—ahem, Delaney—two people could be friends and spend time together without being in a romantic relationship.

“Mom, hi. Garrett will be here in a minute to pick me up, but I wanted to remind you that he is afriend. F R I E N D. We are not dating. Okay?”

“You said that, Tessa.”

“I know, but please don’t forget.”

“What I don’t understand is why you won’t date anyone. I’m never going to be a grandma if you keep up with this stubbornness. Skeeter wasn’t worth giving up on alifetime of happiness.”

My mom was one person I didn’t want advice from about a lifetime of happiness.

“I don’t want to talk about Skeeter. Just please don’t embarrass me today.”

“Tessa dear, you know we’d never do that.” My mom’s chuckle did nothing to reassure me.

“He’s here. Bye.” I ran to the door, trying to school my features so Garrett wouldn’t read my frustration. “Hey. Come in. I just need to grab the gifts.”

Garrett stepped inside, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. “Want help?”

“Sure.” I held out the small stack of gifts and waited as he pulled his hands out of his pockets.

The last few times we’d seen each other, he’d done that a lot—shoving his hands in his pockets.

He loaded them in the truck while I locked up, and when I walked up to the truck, he opened my door. “I wasn’t sure what to get your parents, so I bought them a digital frame that hasMy Petswritten on the front, and I also got them a fuzzy blanket with cats all over it. Think they’ll like that?”

“You bought gifts for my parents?”

His brow lifted, creating creases in his brow. “Is that okay?”

“They’ll love those. That’s very sweet.” I climbed into the truck, touched by his gesture.

It was good that I’d called Mom that one extra time.

We’d been at my parents’house for over an hour, and no one had even raised their voice. Mom and Dad were on their best behavior with Garrett here, and it made the day enjoyable. I credited Garrett’s presence because I still wasn’t ready to believe things were changing with them.

“Garrett, why don’t you ride with me to get some ice?” Dad stood and fished keys out of his pocket.

Garrett moved a cat out of his lap. “Sure.” He glanced at me. “I’ll be back.”

Panicking inside, I nodded, acting like it was the most natural thing in the world for my dad to decide he needed ice right before dinner was going to be served. “See you in a bit.”

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