“Sounds like you’re wearing her down, son,” Dad says, joining us.
I laugh. “Maybe. I think she was more interested in being nosey, but we can go with your theory.”
“Nosey?” Mom asks. I knew she would.
“Yeah, Jamie came into town this weekend. She and I hung out last night when the girls got back from dress shopping.” I purposely keep my answer vague.
“How is she?” Mom asks. I know she wants to know more, but unlike my sister, she doesn’t pry.
“Good. She left a few hours ago to head back home.”
“That why you keep looking at your phone?” Dad laughs.
“I’m not,” I defend. “I know I did when I first sat down, but….”
“You are,” he counters.
“She’s supposed to text me when she gets there. It’s a long drive for a beautiful woman to be making on her own.”
“I agree. Glad you’re looking out
for her.”
“Oh he’s looking out all right,” Liv says, entering the room.” David chuckles from his spot behind her.
“Hush, you,” Mom admonishes, opening her arms for a hug.
“Are Whit and Aaron coming?” I ask, partly to change the subject and partly because all I need is both Liv and Whit ganging up on me.
“No, they’re watching the kids for Evan and Kinley,” Olivia explains.
I check my phone again—still nothing.
“You heard from her yet?”
“Not since about two.”
“She’s probably just wrapping it up. If that’s the case she’ll call soon,” she assures me.
I know that, but it’s Liv’s fault that I’m obsessing over this in the first place. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. She put the “what could happen” scenario reel in my head.
I let my family distract me as I keep my phone in my hand, waiting for it to vibrate.
“Well, we’re all here, so we might as well eat. It’s ready,” Mom says, pointing toward the big pan of chicken and dumplings on the stove.
We all make our plates and settle around the table to eat. Mom and Dad talk about remodeling the guest bathroom.
“That’s what I spent the day helping Dad with, only it was the master bath. Let me know if you need any help,” David tells my Dad.
“I just might take you up on that,” Dad says.
“What about you?” Mom asks Liv.
“After I left the bar, I went home and did some laundry. Nothing exciting.”
She passes over me, as I’ve already told them about my day.
“How did shopping go yesterday?” Mom asks.