Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
But that shrinking violet was the old Teo, the one who felt like he was waiting for his life to begin. That’s not who I wanted to be anymore. I wanted to be brave, embrace my natural love for social situations, and enjoy getting to know the person Jack thought so highly of.
“Millie, when are you due?” I asked when the subject turned toward whether or not the nursery room needed renovations too.
“Halloween,” she said, her hands automatically going to her small bump. Her smile was radiant, and it reminded me of the few times I’d caught Jack with a similar expression.
An older woman’s voice came from behind me. “Is someone talking about my first and only grandchild?”
I turned to see an older couple approaching from around the side of the house. I stood up to greet the people I assumed were Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, Jack’s parents. Despite my new resolution to be brave, my hands were trembling.
“Mom, Dad, this is Teo Parisi,” Jack said. His hand was once again on my back as a kind of steady reassurance. I appreciated it more than I expected, because I was ten times more nervous than I expected. I’d never met anyone’s parents before like this, and even though we weren’t actually dating, Jack was extremely important to me. I hoped to be in his life for a long time, even if friendship was the most we’d ever be to one another.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I said, reaching out a hand first to Mrs. Snyder. “You raised a very good man. I’m honored to know him.”
Millie put both hands in front of her mouth and turned soft eyes on Kirk. Mrs. Snyder stopped extending her hand to me and yanked me into a hug instead.
“Oh, aren’t you the sweetest thing,” she said, squeezing me tight against her soft body. She smelled like Gold Bond hand cream, the kind one of my patients at Wilton swore by. “And so handsome. Hank, look at these green eyes. I want grandchildren with these eyes.”
“Mom!” Millie cried with a laugh while Jack groaned.
“What? He looks like a model. Oh hi, Tyler. I didn’t know you were coming this weekend. It’s great to see you, hon.”
“Mrs. Snyder,” he said. “Mr. Snyder.”
Mr. Snyder spoke up. “It’s Keith and Lori. You know that. Good to see you.” He shook Ty’s hand. “And it’s very nice to meet you, Teo. Jack has been like a Chatty Cathy ever since he met you.”
After shaking his hand, I glanced up at Jack, whose ears had turned crimson. “Whatever,” he muttered. “Don’t listen to them.” He moved forward to give his parents a hug.
We made room around the table for Keith and Lori while Kirk and Jack got to work on the grill. Everyone, including Ty, was very welcoming and friendly. I wanted to hate him so much, but I couldn’t. He was cute and humble in addition to being very attentive to Millie. He made sure his sister-in-law was comfortable and didn’t lift anything. It was actually very sweet.
Dammit.
But I did notice his periodic wistful glances at Jack. It was clear to me he still had feelings for his ex, and who could blame him, really? Jack was everything.
While I was busy ruminating on how perfect Jack was, Ty had moved to the seat next to mine. “Jack tells me you’re a nurse in a senior home. I have a good friend in New York who works with hospice, and she loves it. I think it takes someone with a big heart and lots of patience to work with the elderly.”
Just when I was trying to decide whether or not to be annoyed by his words, he continued. “It’s hard for some of us to slow down enough to listen to the incredible stories the older generations have. I remember my great-grandfather, when I was little, telling stories about rationing during the war and how he had a neighbor lady who traded for extra butter because one of her sons had asked for just butter for Christmas.” He chuckled. “The kid ate the entire thing if you can believe it.”
“Ugh, why not have it made into a cake or cookies?” I asked with a groan and a laugh. “I can’t imagine what that butter did to that poor kid’s stomach.”
Jack looked over at the two of us laughing together with a comical expression on his face. I ignored him and began to ask Ty questions about his new job. Apparently, it was the right subject change because the man’s face lit up. He told me all about Michigan City’s location on the shore and its famous lighthouse, how couples loved to plan weddings in the area, and how he hoped to make La Porte County a corporate events destination for Chicago companies looking for a little more space and nature. We talked for a long time about how to market La Porte County to Chicagoans, and he asked me lots of questions about growing up in the Chicago area.