Page 45 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

They walked out the front door, and I ran to the kitchen. “Mom, what is Dad doing?”

“Getting ice.” She didn’t look up from the cutting board.

“He doesn’t need Garrett for that.”

She rested the knife across the board and met my gaze. “Dad wants to make sureyour friendis well intentioned.”

I rubbed my temples. “What part of my begging wasn’t clear? We aren’t dating.”

“Yet.” Mom added the vegetables into the salad and tossed it all together. “He seems very nice.”

“Heisnice.” And I didn’t want my parents to scare Garrett away. I walked out to the back porch, hoping Dad wasn’t making the run for ice too uncomfortable for Garrett. If I’d known my parents were going to behave like this, I wouldn’t have brought him along.

Pacing, I checked the time every two minutes. How long could it possibly take to drive to the corner store and buy ice?

My stress melted away when Garrett stepped outside. “Aren’t you cold out here?”

“I’m so sorry. I explained to my parents that we are just friends, but...” I shrugged. “Did he give you a hard time?”

“It was fine. We just talked. A bit of good news, I think maybe I talked him out of getting you a kitten.” Garrett rested his hand on the small of my back. “Let’s go back inside. Dinner’s ready.”

“I owe you for that.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He pushed open the door.

My parents were already seated at the table. Garrett pulled out my chair and waited for me to sit before lowering himself into the chair next to me.

Mom passed the salad to me, kicking off the meal.

As Dad doused his salad in Ranch dressing, he asked, “Garrett, what do you do?”

“I’m currently between jobs. Previously I was working as a private investigator, but I’m hoping to move into ranching.” Garrett worded it so he didn’t sound like the spoiled kid who would inherit thousands of acres.

He wasn’t a spoiled kid. He wanted to earn the spot beside his dad. I admired that about Garrett.

The rest of the afternoon went smoothly... until Coco pulled the leftover ham off the counter. There was a bit of yelling, but most of it was directed at the dog.

I tried to use that as an excuse to make an exit, but Mom insisted on opening gifts before we left, so we all settled in the living room. I’d be cleaning cat hair and dog hair off my clothes for a week or more.

I received the expected pajamas. They gave me a new pair every year. They loved what Garret had bought them, and Mom had pictures loaded on the digital frame within minutes.

When Dad handed Garrett a small box, I held my breath.

He unwrapped the box, and a grin lit his whole face. He held up the mug with the wordFriendemblazoned on the side. “Thanks. This is great.”

My parents thought they were comedians. After tonight, Garrett might retract his Christmas invitation. Even if he didn’t, he’d likely never come with me to see my parents ever again, and I couldn’t blame him.

After helping Mom shove all the wrapping paper into a trash bag, I checked the time.

“I should get you home. You have to be up early to make doughnuts.” Garrett stood and extended his hand to my dad. “It was nice to meet you, sir.” Turning to my mom, Garrett continued being his charming self. “Mrs. Best, thank you for dinner. I’ve had a wonderful time.”

Mom hugged him. “You’re welcome any time. Even if Tessa is busy.”

He chuckled and ushered me out the door.

When we were finally closed into the truck, I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks for coming today, and I’m sorry if my dad grilled you.”

“I enjoyed today.”

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