Only One Chance (Only One 2)

“I like the whole naked idea,” he says. Grabbing my hand, we start to walk out of the house, and I stop.

“I should take my car,” I say. “I have to work on Monday.”

“I have five cars,” he tells me. “You can take one of mine.”

“That makes no sense.” We just stare at each other because we’re at an impasse.

“We are going to be late, and you know my parents are not going to believe that we are late because we got into a fight. Especially after I haven’t seen you in a month.” I open my mouth to argue with him. “You do have that glow about you.” I put my hands to my cheeks. “You look gorgeous. Now let’s go before I take you back inside, and we’re really, really late.”

He opens the car door for me, and I walk to him, tilting my head up and waiting for him to kiss me. He kisses my lips, and I get into his car and watch him walk around the car. I look out the window as we make our way to his house. The butterflies in my stomach are uncontrollable at this point.

“I legit think I’m going to vomit,” I say, putting a hand to my stomach as soon as he pulls up to his house and parks in the garage. He leans over to kiss me softly and then gets out of the car, walking around and opening my door. When he holds his hand out, I grab it to get out of the car. “I’m not kidding,” I say as he practically pulls me to the front door.

“Gorgeous.” He cups my face in his hands. “They are going to love you. How can they not?” he says, opening the door.

Closing my eyes, I breathe through my nose and can smell the food cooking already. I stop walking. “I didn’t get her flowers or a cake.”

“What?” he asks, and I can hear talking coming from the kitchen.

“I’m showing up empty-handed,” I say, starting to panic. “Who does that? It’s like rule book 101.”

“Says who?” he asks, folding his arms over his chest.

“Google,” I tell him, and he throws his head back and laughs so loud I hear the talking in the kitchen stop. “Great, now I can’t escape.”

“Where the hell were you going to go?” he asks me, and before I can answer, I hear a woman’s voice.

“Oh, you’re here,” she says. I look over and see a woman wearing jeans and a sweater with an apron over it. “The food is almost ready.” She walks to us. “Sweetheart!” she shouts over her shoulder. “Layla and Miller are here.” She stops in front of me, and I want to tell her I’m sorry about taking off on her yesterday. I also want to tell her that I’m sorry I didn’t tell her who I was. God, could there have been a more awkward time than right now? The only thing I can do is smile at her.

“Mom,” Miller says, putting his arm around me, most likely to keep me from bolting. “This is Layla. Layla, this is my mom, Sara.” I’m about to answer her when I hear another voice.

“Oh, good, honey.” Turning my head, I’m shocked to hear my grandmother's voice as she rushes over to hug me. “You are here.” She then turns to Miller and winks at him. “Well, well, well, we meet again.” She kisses his cheek. “I was just telling your parents about our first date.”

My mouth opens as I see Miller’s father looking at his son. “You ran away from her.” He points at him, and I just stand here.

“What’s going on right now?” I ask, hoping someone answers me.

“Miller thought it would be a good idea for us to have breakfast together,” Grandma Nancy says with a huge smile.

The oven beeps just then, making Sara turn to look at his dad. “The casserole is ready,” she says. “Sweetheart, let’s get the table set.” With a smile, he follows her into the kitchen.

“I have to say I’m a bit disappointed in you, Miller,” Grandma says, turning to follow his parents. “I thought after a whole month of not seeing each other that she would have trouble walking today. Or even limping.” She shakes her head.

“I’ll have you know she was.” With a shriek, I slap a hand over his mouth before he says something I don’t want my grandmother or his parents to hear. She throws her head back and laughs out loud as she walks to the kitchen.

“I can’t believe you invited my grandmother over,” I tell him, and he just shrugs.

“I figured you would be nervous as it is, so having someone else on your side wouldn’t hurt,” he says, and I just shake my head.

“Have I told you that I love you?” I ask him, and he bends to kiss me.