“Thank you.”
“Dad makes them for all special occasions.”
“I love that.” I dive in for another bite as Gary and Anna take turns telling us stories about when they met. Griffin keeps one hand on my thigh the entire time. I feel as though I’ve been here before and known them all for years. They’re always more than welcoming, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“Right, it’s time to pack,” Anna says, standing. She takes her plate to the sink. I push back from the counter to do the same, but Griffin stops me.
“I’ll get it.” He leans in and kisses me. Just a quick peck, but I feel the heat rise to my cheeks, knowing he did so in front of his parents.
“Ready?” Anna asks.
“Absolutely.” I follow her up to their bedroom and take a seat on their bed.
“I can’t believe he’s doing this,” she gushes. “We have so many memories there.”
“It’s very sweet. What can I help with?”
“Honestly, just the company is great. When you’ve been married as long as I have, you don’t worry about what you’re wearing as much as when you first meet.”
“I get that, but it might be fun to surprise him. Maybe break out something you haven’t worn in a while.”
“Oh, I have some lingerie I bought a few years ago on a whim, and I’ve never worn it.”
“There you go.”
“You’re a genius. No wonder my son loves you.” She laughs as she places a small suitcase on the bed and begins to add clothes to it.
It’s a wonder that my heart even fits in my chest, with all the love that’s bursting inside me. “I love him too,” I confess with a whisper.
“Oh, honey, of course you do. Anyone who sees the two of you together can figure that out.” She offers me a smile before saying, “I think I have it all,” and glancing around her room.
“Cell phone charger?” I ask.
“Oh yes, I’ll need that for sure.” She goes to the nightstand, unplugs her charger, and tosses it into her suitcase.
“All set?” Gary asks. I turn to look, and he and Griffin are standing in the doorway.
“Yes. Are you packed?”
He grins, and it reminds me so much of his son. “I packed last night while you were in the tub.”
“Sneaky.” She goes to him and kisses him.
“That’s why you love me.” He grins. “Now, get your bag so we can head out. I hate having to rush through the airport.”
“Okay. I think I have everything.” Anna comes back to the bed and wraps her arms around me. “Thank you for your help. I’m sorry we’re going to miss you while you’re here.”
“I’m actually staying until Tuesday afternoon. I decided to skip a couple of days of classes now that the season is over so that I can see Griffin’s game.”
“That’s perfect. We’re coming back when?” She turns to look at Gary.
“We’re flying home Monday morning, so we can be here for the game as well.”
“Good. You won’t have to sit alone.” She gives me another hug, moves to the door, and does the same to Griffin.
I stand and follow them out of the room. Griffin and I walk back downstairs with them, and stand on the front porch waving goodbye.
“What do you want to do today?” he asks.
“I’m up for anything. What did you have planned?”
“I thought we’d maybe go to the beach before meeting my parents for dinner, but Dad changed that. We have the house all to ourselves all weekend.”
“So that means no beach?”
“Do you want to go to the beach?” he asks, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me into his chest.
“I want to be where you are.”
“I like the idea of locking ourselves inside or out back in the pool. Now that I know it can happen, I want you all to myself.”
“I can get on board with that.”
“Did you bring your suit?”
“Yep.”
“Good. Let’s go get changed, and we’ll soak up some of that Florida sun you seem to love so much.”
“Sounds good to me.” Hand in hand, we make our way inside and up to his room to change.
I don’t know how long we’ve been sitting out by the pool when my phone rings. Keeping my eyes closed behind my sunglasses, I reach for it on the table between the two lounge chairs and squint to swipe at the screen. “Hello?”
“Are you soaking up the sun?” Karina asks.
“You know it.”
“I’m jealous. It’s raining here today.”
“You were invited to come with me.”
“I know. I didn’t expect him to show up here and stay.”
“I’ve been trying to tell you that he’s into you.”
“Yeah, I kinda figured that out when he asked me to go out with him.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That I didn’t think I could do long distance like you and Griffin do.”
“You can.”
“I know, but I don’t know if I want to.”