Page 148 of Desperate Pucker
“What a pleasure it is to meet you, Madeline,” Mom says brightly. “I’m so sorry we came over unannounced. If my son had told me he had company, we wouldn’t have barged in here like this.”
“You absolutely still would have,” I mutter.
She smacks my arm again. Maddy chuckles.
“It’s okay,” Maddy says. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
Mom looks like she’s bursting at the seams to run over and hug Maddy, but she stays standing there. Thank fuck. My mom is a sweet person, but not everyone’s a hugger the first time they meet like she is.
I take the grocery bags from them and set them to the side of the door.
“Grocery delivery?” Maddy asks.
Mom chuckles. “We’re headed on a trip in a couple of days, so we’re dropping off all the food that’ll go bad while we’re gone.”
“We always do this before a trip,” Dad says.
“What a great idea,” Maddy says.
“We’ll get out of your hair,” Mom says. She and Dad start to walk off. “Don’t forget about dinner tomorrow night.”
“I’ll be there,” I say.
Mom spins around and beams at Maddy. “We’d love for you to come too, Madeline, if you’re free. I’m making cabbage rolls. They’re so tasty, they’ll change your life.”
I roll my eyes good-naturedly as Maddy chuckles. Mom and Dad wave goodbye, and I close the door.
I turn to her. “Sorry about that. I forgot they were coming over.”
“It’s okay. Your parents seem really sweet. And your mom is so cute. So small and bubbly.”
I bring the bags into the kitchen and set them on the counter to unload.
“You don’t have to come tomorrow night,” I say.
“Would it be okay if I did?” Maddy asks, her voice shy.
I look up at her. “Yeah, of course. I just don’t want you to feel pressured or like you have to. We just made our relationship official a few hours ago. Now I’m making you meet my parents.”
She chuckles and steps over to me. I wrap my arms around her.
“I don’t feel that way at all. I’d love to.”
Warmth gathers at the center of my chest that Maddy seems genuinely happy to hang out with my family.
“Will your siblings be there?” she asks.
“Yeah. They’ll be excited to see you. Especially my sister. She’s gonna bombard you with hugs. My mom will too.”
Maddy giggles. “I can’t wait.”
Chapter 51
Maddy
When I follow Ryker through the front door of his parents’ house, I’m hit with the aroma of roasted garlic, tomatoes, and herbs.
“That smells delicious,” I say as I slide my shoes off and walk down the hallway of this two-story brick home on the outskirts of Denver.
