Page 139 of Facing Off
I really shouldn’t be doing this. Like he said, there are dancing things I must be doing. I’d be foolish to give up more time. But?—
His eyes are still bright. This unshed, exhausted I-can’t-believe-today wobbliness that hasn’t settled. I mean, the last hour has been a lot. It’s going to take a while.
And I know that even though he’s flying out bright and early tomorrow to Edmonton, if he was here alone, he’d still have gone over to say hello to his family. That’s just the kind of person that Adrian is.
Adrian swallows, staring at me. “Would you…come to dinner with my family?”
“If I must.” Then a clarification because he’s still staring, “I mean, yes. I would.”
And that’s when I get it, what I’ve been missing. Why I’ve pushed myself past all previous comfort zones and done this. What makes my worried tension untwist.
It’s lighting up his face.
His blinding, elated grin.
54
ADRIAN
My mom’shouse is the same one I grew up in. It’s a detached, single-level family house with blue-colored siding and a huge backyard.
I notice Sonya staring at the obvious extension added to the side as we walk towards the door.
“She won’t let me buy her another house,” I explain. “So my cheat code is to build and renovate this one, adding more and more space.” My head drops and my voice lowers. “Don’t tell her this, but for her sixtieth birthday, I’m planning to buy the neighbor’s house. They are selling it to me as soon as they retire next year. After that, I’ll tear down the fence and make everything even better.”
Soft color rises in her cheeks. “I am…” Sonya says, “…forced to admit…that’s sweet.”
At the thought of Sonya meeting my family, my heart is already racing, but to have her admit she thinks I’m sweet? It lurches with joy. “You think I’m sweet?”
“No, thegestureis sweet.”
My mouth tips into a smile. “I’m hearing that you think I’m super sweet.”
Sonya rolls her eyes while her lips twitch.
Before she can respond, and I can tease her again, the door swings open.
That’s when the chaos begins.
We get squeals of surprise and happiness as we’re pulled inside.
Beside me, Sonya is a deer caught in headlights, but she doesn’t run away. I put my hand on her lower back and fend off all the questions as we’re taken around the back to where everyone is eating dinner.
Two new chairs are added.
Around the dinner table, all six of my sisters introduce themselves. Aimee, Alexa, Aurora, Alice, Abigail, Ava.
My mom is at the head of the table, vibrating with excitement. “I’m Shirley.”
“And I’m Aria,” says my nibling with a pink mustache because they were snacking on a popsicle earlier. “But call me Sid. That’s my new name.”
Sonya straightens in her chair and introduces herself. Warmth spreads in my stomach because from the seriousness in her dark eyes, I know she’s trying to memorize everyone’s names. She cares.
“Oh, we know who you are,” grins Aimee. “Adrian talks about youallthe time.”
Alexa looks gleeful saying, “I’m so happy you finally agreed to come over,” while Ava folds her hands underneath her chin and adds, “We’ve all been so excited to meet you!”
“He’s never brought anyone home to us before,” Aurora chirpily contributes.
