Page 23 of Finding Ash
“There’s Remy and his family too.”
“Make that both. Trial by fire for the win.”
The bell over the door chimed. “My heart’s beating inside my ears.”
McClain wrapped his arm around my waist and whispered. “Breathe with me, sweetheart. In one, out one.” I did it with him. “Again, and keep in mind, I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed my head and stepped around the counter. “Welcome to Foggy Creamery, I’m McClain.”
As McClain was introduced to the group, Remy ran over and hugged me tight. “Are you as nervous as I am?”
“Terrified.”
“Incoming.”
“You must be Ash. I’m Lynn, Remy’s mom, and this is his sister Kara.” She pulled me into a hug before I got a word out. “You’re just as adorable as I imagined. My Remy has good taste.” She peeked up at McClain, who was currently getting grilled by my parents. “In both his men.”
“Mom,” Remy rolled his eyes. “Way to embarrass a guy.”
Her smile was just as beautiful as she was. Remy was the spitting image of his mother, and I imagined his sister took after their dad’s side. Kara was just as adorable as Remy described her.
“What’s good here?” Lynn asked, staring up at the menu.
“Everything,” Remy and I said at the same time. Of course, it was right as silence descended, so everyone heard us and laughed.
“Alright boys,” McClain squeezed our shoulders, “game on.”
As we served our family, Remy helped as well. The locals came rolling in, which brought our time with them to an end. For now. Thank the frozen gods for that.
“We’ll expect all three of you for dinner tonight at Pints ‘n Pool,” my mom yelled over the crowd.
“We will be there, Daisy,” McClain replied. “Enjoy your afternoon!”
They waved as they left, heading down Main Street to shop, I’d imagine. At least Remy’s mom and mine seem to have hit it off. Dad was likely dragged along and designated the official package carrier. Either way, I could finally breathe again.
Shoot, how would I make it through dinner?
On a bright note, at least my brothers and sisters weren’t here this time. If that group with all their kids didn’t overwhelm McClain, it’d be a miracle. My plan was to keep that meeting as far into the future as I could shove it.
“Alright boys, let’s head to dinner.”
Where had the day gone?
“Please tell me we still get to escape our families and have movie night tonight?” That would be the only saving grace to this chaotic day.
McClain kissed my forehead. “Absolutely, sweetheart. What are you so worried for? The meet and greet earlier went well, I thought.”
“That’s because my mother was in public. Pintsis notconsidered the same to her since its family-owned, which means she’ll likely embarrass me to death.” Drama queen extraordinaire I was today, putting on an award-winning performance. It was like I just couldn’t help myself.
“We’ve got this,” Remy hugged me, and McClain joined in, wrapping his arms around us both. It was like being snuggled up all warm and comfy.
“It’ll be okay, you’ll see. Then we’ll come back here and decompress with movies.”
And then the comfy was gone.
“No pouting, sweetheart,” McClain kissed me. “We can cuddle and make out like teenagers tonight.”
My face flushed and the butterflies swarmed, but in the best of ways. Until we got to Pints.
Ambush was the best way to put it. Every townie was there, and the tables had been moved into long lines. I’msurprised there wasn’t a stage with three microphones set up in the middle.
