“Not sure I buy ‘easy.’ But, okay. This means something to you, so I’ll come. But I don’t think this is gonna be that simple.”
“It might be.” I squirmed on his lap, almost toppling us before I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring kiss. And he returned the kiss, but his tension remained.
“I hope you’re right.”
I hoped that too. I needed my family to see this Milo, the changed guy, the one who was funny and tender and an amazing artist. The one who had spent years hiding, but who might finally be ready to poke his head out into the larger world. I clung to the memory of dancing with him at the ball, the look in his eyes, the gentleness of his hands. He cared, and what I needed most of all was him to get out of his own way. I wasn’t sure whether all my conviction would be enough to make it happen, but I was sure as heck going to try.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Milo
“I’m still not sure this is a good idea.” I slowed my steps as we approached Jasper’s house. Because Jasper had to work and the weekend bus schedule was so awful, I’d driven, and my heart rate was still elevated from Saturday night traffic. Driving was getting easier, but I doubted I’d ever completely lose my tension over being behind the wheel.
“I am.” Jasper bumped shoulders with me as we walked up the little path that wound around the house. Handprints of various Quigley kids and pets decorated the stepping-stones, and if I looked hard enough, I could bet that I’d find one of my own. The sunny day when Jasper’s mom had recruited everyone’s help in making the path seemed a million miles away. “Listen. I promise no matter how awkward it gets, we can still go back to my room after and I’ll make suffering through worth it.”
“It’s a plan.” Some neighbors I didn’t recognize had been in their yard when I’d found a parking spot down the street, and not kissing him hello had been torture. Funny how I could live years and years without kissing and touching, and now a few hours without him had me desperate. Rather than head to the front door, Jasper rounded the house so we’d enter through the mudroom. I knew this place almost as well as the one I’d actually grown up in, and I categorized all the little changes that showed the passage of time—windows with new curtains and not the handmade school art projects that had graced them in the past, newer paint job and storm door, and some unfamiliar garden fixtures.
“Now smile,” Jasper commanded as he opened the mudroom door. “And be prepared to have to scrub up. Mom’s in serious mother-hen mode after the scare over April earlier in the week.”
“I get it. I’d be worried too.”
After hanging up our coats on a crowded rack, Jasper bent to remove his shoes. “Mom? We’re here.”
“Jasper. You made it.” His mom swept into the cluttered but clean mudroom, catching him up in a big hug before turning to me, smile dimming. “And Milo.”
“Hey, Mrs. Q.” I offered her a smile I didn’t quite feel, nerves still making my stomach slosh around. But I did remember my manners. “Thanks for having me.”
“No problem.” Her guarded expression said otherwise. “Leave your shoes here and wash up.”
Carefully lining up my shoes with his, I followed Jasper’s lead in scrubbing my hands like a surgeon prepping for the operating room.
“Smells good,” I observed as we made our way into the kitchen where Jasper’s mom was mincing garlic and supervising a number of pots on the stove.
Jasper’s mom shrugged, not bothering to look my way. “Probably not up to your grandmother’s standards.”
“Nothing ever was.” It was the truth. She’d been an iron-willed woman with strict, exacting rules, and I’d been rather terrified of her as a kid. It was no wonder my mom had stopped trying to live up to her in-laws’ standards, culinary or otherwise. However, when Jasper’s mom deepened her frown, I softened my tone. “I’m sure it’s great.”
“Thanks.” She bashed the heck out of the garlic, making me hope I never pissed her off when she had a cleaver nearby.
“I…” I wanted to apologize, but I wasn’t sure where to start. And would she even believe me? So instead, I squared my shoulders. “Can I help? Set the table?”
“Okay.” She motioned at a nearby cabinet. “You probably know where everything is.”
“I’ll help.” Jasper grabbed a stack of plates and handed me cups and flatware. We made fast work of setting the table for five and were finishing up as April came bounding down the stairs, looking chipper as ever.
“Neptune! You came!”
“Oof.” I wasn’t expecting either her hug or its strength, but she hugged us both before stepping back. She had Jasper’s habit of bouncing on her feet when excited.