Page 95 of The Forever After Bet

Mr. Clark comes upstairs. “Hey, Ford, how are you?”

“I’m good. How are you?” I ask.

“I’m good. Just wrapping some last-minute Christmas gifts.” He smiles. “Tell your parents hi for me.” He pats my back and walks into the kitchen.

I look up the stairs and see Hannah. She’s beautiful. She’s wearing a dark green dress with a cream-colored sweater. I take her hand, helping her off the last stair, and then lean in, kissing her cheek. “Hey, you look fantastic.”

Hannah trails her hand down my red waffle sweater. “You clean up well yourself.”

I tug at my imaginary lapel. “Thanks, I try.” I laugh. “Are you ready?”

“Yep, let me grab my coat,” Hannah says.

“I’ll get it. Do you want the white wool one?”

“Yes, please.” She smiles. “You better save me some popcorn,” Hannah says to Jack, punching his shoulder.

“I make no promises.” He laughs.

I help Hannah into her coat and open the front door for her. “I’ll see ya.” I nod to Jack.

“You too, kiddos, have fun, and be good kids.” Jack winks at me, and I flip him off, which makes him laugh.

Once we pull out of the driveway and head down the road, I take Hannah’s hand. “Are you ready for this?”

“I’m a little nervous. I keep telling myself that your grandparents like me so it will be good.”

“My parents like you, too. I talked to them about us last night.”

Hannah’s head whips around. “What did they say?”

“They surprised me. They said they didn’t think we’d break up and were surprised I hadn’t told them sooner.”

Hannah puts her hand to her chest. “That’s such a relief. Now, if I can just get your sister to like me, I’ll be golden. The last time I saw her, she called me Goldie Locks.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t worry about Libby. She’s a snob. She doesn’t even like me.”

Everyone is at my grandparent’s house when I pull up. I’m excited to get to see my Aunt Willow. It’s been a while. She’s super sweet and always spoiled me as a kid. I always wondered why she never got married and had kids of her own.

“Hey, look.” Hannah points out the window. “Our snowman is still standing in the front yard. It should be a blob by now.”

“Yeah, it is. It looks like it’s gotten a makeover.” I laugh. “Jack and I messed with last week. We came and cleared snow.” I help Hannah out of the car, and we walk up the front steps. “Here we go,” I say, giving Hannah a quick kiss as I open the front door.

“Ford!” My aunt Willow comes up, giving me a bear hug. “Oh, I’ve missed you. Congratulations on your scholarship. I can’t wait to watch you play for Sutherland.”

“Thanks, Willow, that means a lot. I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Hannah. Hannah, this is my aunt, Willow.”

Willow hugs Hannah. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard only wonderful things about you, Hannah.”

“It’s nice to meet you too.” Hannah smiles.

My grandparents hug us.

“How’s your arm, Ernest?” Hannah asks.

“It’s a nuisance. I’m ready to get this cast off.” My gramps knocks his cast against the fireplace rock.

My parents come up and hug Hannah, apologizing for how they acted in November.

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