Page 95 of Conflict
I CAN’Tstop pacing through my apartment. Alyssa’s in the bedroom, getting ready to leave for my parents’ anniversary party. I’m toying with my cufflink when I hear the clicking of her heels coming down the hall.
“Why do you look so nervous?” she asks, stepping into view.
I’m speechless. Her dress is black with tiny white polka dots all over it. The dress has short sleeves and hits her midthigh. It’s the quirky version of a little black dress, and it looks incredible on her.
“Earth to Shane,” she says, walking towards me, not stopping until she’s close enough to touch me.
“I’m not nervous,” I say, and she quirks an eyebrow. “Fine, I’m nervous. I’ve never done this. There’s never been anyone I’ve ever wanted to introduce to my parents, let alone care what they think.”
“You know my experience with dating and moms. I can’t imagine yours is anywhere near as crazy as what I’ve dealt with before.” She wraps her arms around my neck and stares up at me.
“I care about you, Alyssa. More than I ever thought possible. I just want everything to be perfect.”
“I care about you, too. That’s why I’m not introducing you to my parents any time soon.”
I laugh. “According to Branson, that’s definitely a good thing.”
“Plus, from what Ariana tells me, the whole Wellington gang will be there. We’ll have plenty of backup.” She looks so damn hopeful.
And I hate to burst her bubble. “Do you not remember the morning after Branson and Ariana’s wedding? Having my mother and Amelia together when I bring a date around for the first time could be disastrous. And if they like you, and I know they will, don’t put it past them to be planning our wedding before the night’s over.”
Alyssa rises to the tips of her toes and brushes her lips across mine. “It’s probably too soon to say, but I’m going to anyways. If they do? Would it really be all that bad?”
I swallow, unsure of what to say. So, instead of holding back, I say the first thing that comes to mind. “No, Alyssa. I don’t think it would.”
And I mean every word.
Hours later, we’re half-drunk on champagne and romance. My parents still know how to throw a freaking party and, even thirty-five years later, and how to embarrass me with their numerous bouts of public displays of affection.
My father takes the cake when he asks to cut in while I’m slow-dancing with Alyssa. She just giggles and accepts his hand without waiting for me to agree. Fortunately for me, Mom’s waiting in the wings for a dance with me herself.
“She’s wonderful, darling,” Mom coos, smiling up at me as we make our way around the dance floor.
I look over to where Alyssa is dancing with Pop. “She really is,” I tell her.
“It’s finally happened. The day after the wedding, Amelia called me, insisting you’d found the one. I didn’t want to believe it. But seeing you with her tonight? I know it’s true.”
I peer down at my mother. “What’s true?”
“You’ve finally been bitten by the love bug.”
“Mom, we’re not in love territory yet. It’s too soon.”
Even as I say the words, I wonder if I’m lying to her, myself, or the both of us.
Mom tsks. “Shane, don’t be silly, and don’t be stubborn. It’s never too soon to fall in love, especially when you meet the one.” She must see the skepticism in my face. “What are we doing here, sweetheart? Celebrating thirty-five years of marriage. And you know the one thing I’ve seen tonight that I never have?”
I’m afraid to ask. “What’s that?”
She beams. “You looking at a woman the same way your father’s looked at me for the past thirty-five years.”
I glance over at Alyssa, who’s laughing at something my dad just said. My heart swells at the sight of two of my favorite people in the world obviously getting along.
“Just like that,” Mom reaffirms. “I’ve waited so long for this for you, Shane. Don’t let it slip through your fingers because it feels too soon. If you love her, don’t waste a single second not letting her know.”
I stumble in my tracks, and my mom gives me a knowing smile.
Oh Christ. Love? Do I? I mean, I know I care about her more than anything in the world. But I don’t even know if I’d know what love is even if I watched Cupid strike me with his arrow.
