Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Does he treat you well?”
I knew my parents had disliked Darren. They didn’t like how he spoke to me or how he picked me apart all the time. The way he made me feel I wasn’t enough. When we’d broken up, they had been pleased, assuring me I could do better.
And they had been right.
“Oh, Mom. Like I’m the most important woman in the world.” I told her about the office. Our picnics. How much I enjoyed spending time with Mia.
“It sounds as if you’re in very deep.”
I sighed. “I think I am.”
“Then we look forward to seeing them tomorrow.”
I hung up and went downstairs. We’d packed some snacks and water. A couple of sandwiches in case Mia got hungry. Crustless rolled PB & J—her favorite now, too.
Simon walked in, windblown and smiling. He pressed a kiss to my head. “All okay for tomorrow?”
“Yes. They are looking forward to meeting you.”
“What can I bring? Wine? Something stronger for your dad? We should get some flowers for your mom.”
I patted his chest. “Maybe a bottle of wine. My dad likes beer and not much else. Flowers would be nice but not necessary.”
“I disagree. I need to wow them—get them on my side so I have backup. Flowers, wine, beer—all of it.”
I laughed at his silliness. “Okay, Simon. Whatever you say.”
“There is a game like that.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes—where you have to do everything Simon says.”
“Is that a fact?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“Yes. Like Simon says, Amy kiss me. You have to.”
“I didn’t agree to play.”
“Well then, Simon says Simon kiss Amy.” He pulled me into his arms and did just that. Then he whispered, “Simon says Amy spend the whole weekend. Simon says Amy be naked later and in his bed. Simon says Amy will come four times before midnight. Twice after.”
“Simon is very demanding.”
“But Simon likes this game.”
I began to laugh, and he pressed a kiss to my head. “Simon also likes you.”
I looked up at him. “I love Simon,” I whispered.
He smiled. “Simon says you have to say that every day.”
“Okay.”
“Now Simon says it’s picnic time or a little girl I know is going to come in here and wonder why we’re kissing—again.”
“Then off we go.”
He bent and kissed me one more time. “Simon says he is keeping Amy.” Then he held out his hand. “Let’s go.”
I rather liked this game.
We pulled up to my parents’ house, and I was hit with a case of nerves. I looked over at Simon, who seemed calm. “We don’t have to do this.”
He unbuckled his seat belt. “Of course we do. I want to meet your parents and your brother. Let them get to know us. He touched my cheek, stroking the skin gently. “It’s all going to be good, Chippy.”
“My dad can be outspoken. So can my brother. He’s older and protective. And my mom is really affectionate—”
He cut me off with a laugh. “Thanks for the heads-up. You forget I have the ultimate weapon.”
“Which is?”
He indicated the back seat. “The sweetest kid on the planet. No one can resist her. Trust me. She’ll have them eating out of the palm of her hand in two minutes flat. They’ll love her, and I’m in. All’s good.” He slid from the car. “Come on, Amy. Let’s do this.”
I undid my seat belt and got out of the car. Simon helped Mia out, and I handed her the flowers she had picked out for my mom. Simon had a six-pack of my dad’s favorite beer, and I had two bottles of wine—a white for my mother and a red for my brother, Sheldon.
“We have a lot of liquor here,” I observed.
Simon chuckled. “Soon-to-be in-laws are more open to the idea of me if soused,” he deadpanned.
I slapped his arm. “Stop it. Be serious.”
Laughing, he took Mia’s hand, and she slipped her other one into mine. “I am.”
Simon laughed loudly, slapping his knee. “Of course she did. What else would you expect?”
My dad shook his head, grinning. “Every damn cage. All the mice were running around the classroom. Frogs hopping on every surface. Amy yelling for them all to run and be free.”
“Or hop,” Sheldon added, chuckling.
I shook my head. “I was eight. Every time I walked past the science room and saw the cages, it upset me. I decided to do something about it.” I defended myself, even though I was laughing as well. I recalled the chaos and my parents showing up at school. As well as the stern lecture I received in front of the principal, even though their reaction behind closed doors was far less firm. My parents knew how I felt about animals and understood. But we agreed I would avoid the science room the bigger kids used and instead concentrate on schoolwork. My mom and I started volunteering at the animal shelter, and that helped me. I still did when I had time. I wondered how Simon would feel about me taking Mia to help one day. I would have to ask him.