Page 141 of A Little Crush
My chin dips. “Yes, sir.”
“For how long?”
“Dad,” Rory whines.
I squeeze her thigh beneath the table. “For as long as she’ll have me.”
“Does this mean you’re not house sitting for your brother anymore?” Mia interjects.
Rory has the decency to blush as she chews her bite of flatbread and artichoke dip. At least she doesn’t choke on it. Swallowing, she weakly offers, “Surprise?”
“What about your career?” Henry pushes.
“Nannying can’t be a career?” Rory tosses back at him.
Henry doesn’t budge. “You know what I mean, Squeaks.”
“Rory’s career is independent of our relationship,” I explain. “I’d love it if she watched Poppy while I’m working, but if she decides she wants to pursue child psychology or anything else for that matter, we’ll make it work. Whatever she needs.”
“As long as she stays in Lockwood Heights?” Henry’s same indecipherable expression gleams back at me.
“It’d be more convenient,” I acknowledge dryly, “but we’re in this for the long haul, and I’ll make anything work.”
“We both will,” Rory adds. She dips some more flatbread into the artichoke dip as if she’s trying to act normal despite her knee bouncing beneath the table. “Like I said. Jaxon’s it for me, and let’s be honest, staying in Lockwood Heights makes life easier for Jaxon with Poppy and the Lions?—”
“And you?” Henry challenges, pinning me with his stare.
“Henry,” Mia warns. “I know we agreed to let you play hardball, but you’re walking on thin ice.”
“Two minutes.”
“I’ve given you two minutes,” she reminds him, refusing to back down.
“Give me one more.” His gaze cuts to her. “Please.”
Please. Henry Buchanan doesn’t say please to anyone. He doesn’t need to. His attention cuts to his wife, and the two volley back and forth in a silent conversation only two people in love and who’ve been together for decades can. With tight lips, brow knits, and cocked heads. Finally, Mia settles back in her seat, giving her husband the floor while proving exactly how much she trusts him.
Satisfied he has his wife’s approval for at least sixty more seconds, Henry turns to me and Rory again. “Let me be clear. I’m not saying I don't support this relationship.” He hesitates, giving me a glimpse of the Uncle Henry I was raised with as he gives his daughter a reassuring smile before sobering. “I’m saying I need to know where you land on Jaxon’s priority list, since we all know he’s been at the top of yours since you were only a kid.”
“Dad,” Rory scolds. “Really? We’re going to bring up my childhood crush right now?” Red blooms across her cheeks, and her body curls in on herself as if she’s ashamed her dadjust aired out her deepest, darkest secret. The fact that she’s loved me for as long as we all remember.
“Let your dad finish, baby,” Mia murmurs. “We care about you, and need to know?—”
“If Jaxon’s feelings for me are real?” Rory snaps.
Henry sighs. “We know they’re real, Squeaks.”
“Then what’s the problem?” She wipes the crumbs from her fingers and folds her arms, clearly over tonight’s appetizer, thanks to the conversation. “I love him, and he loves me, and I know you want me to be happy, and he makes me happy, so I’m a little confused as to why you’re grilling him instead of congratulating me on my first real and pretty freaking healthy relationship.”
Another look is exchanged between Rory’s parents before Mia reaches for Rory’s hand while I continue clinging to her opposite one.
“Baby, he’s your only relationship,” Mia says, gently. “Your only person. Ever. And it isn’t a bad thing. Honestly, Jaxon’s the luckiest man in the world, okay? We just want to make sure he’s aware of it, too.”
“That he’s my only relationship?” Rory grumbles. “Gee, thanks. You guys are super supportive?—”
“Rore, it’s okay,” I interject.
Because suddenly, it makes sense. The real reason behind their reservations. I’ve hurt their daughter before. Ruined her. And even though it was the right choice at the time, it couldn’t have been easy for them. Seeing their daughter fall apart and run away, leaving them feeling helpless as parents. If the roles were reversed, I’d feel the same way. Hesitant. Restrained.
