“What the hell was that for?” Blinking, I search his face. That wasn’t just for the sake of my parents’, considering they’re not even in the house. That was real.
Do I want it to be real?
“It was a good luck kiss.” He flashes a boyish smirk.
I narrow my eyes at him as he walks toward the door. “Wait. Don’t you have to get your wallet?”
He pulls it from his back pocket and flashes it, popping an eyebrow up. “Nah, I had it after all.”
My mouth falls open, and he grabs me by the hand, pulling me outside, not giving me time to question him or my racing heart. The smile on my face as we slide into the back seat is genuine. We buckle, then Hunter interlocks his fingers with mine and kisses my knuckles—something that’s become my new favorite gesture of his—as the car travels down the street.
Mom and Dad sing gospel music during the ride to the steakhouse. By the time we pull into the parking lot, even I’m singing along with them as Hunter taps his leg. He’s such a good sport about all of this.
We’re laughing as we enter the restaurant and my smile fades as soon as I see Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. She’s already judging everything about me, and I feel my nerves teetering on edge. As Hunter introduces himself, he keeps me close by, and I plaster a fake smile on my face. Soon we’re seated, and it doesn’t take long before we give our drink and food orders.
It feels awkward as hell as my mother tries to make small talk about the 4th of July celebration. Eventually, the conversation moves on, and I feel like I’m under Mrs. Anderson’s microscope as she begins hounding me with questions.
“So, Lennon. What was the rush to get married so early? I didn’t get the full story yesterday.” Her gaze pierces through me over her glass as she sips her water.
“Well…” I hesitate before continuing and repeating our rehearsed story.
Hunter naturally picks up the conversation as I grow quiet, adding all of his charm. “—and we knew then, that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.”
After he eloquently finishes, Hunter leans over and places a chaste kiss on my lips. Mom and Dad watch us, eating up the whole thing.
Mr. Johnson couldn’t care less, but his wife, she’s not giving up. “So how far along did you say you were?”
“Twelve weeks,” I tell her, and she lets out a sarcastic laugh. “Honey, you seem way farther along than that. You’re pretty big for only three months,” she says, causing my mother to butt in. My cheeks heat, and I’m sure my heart is beating so rapidly the entire restaurant can hear it.
“You know, Theresa, everyone said the same thing to me when I was carrying Sophie. Many assumed I was carrying twins.” Mom throws her a forced grin, but I notice how tense she is. The last thing Mrs. Anderson wants to do is bring out Mama Bear because that side of her is scary.
Hunter leans back and chuckles at something my father mutters, interrupting our conversation, and I’m so damn thankful he’s the buffer. “Did you hear what your dad said?”
I shake my head.
Hunter leans over and whispers in my ear. “He said he just prayed his water would turn into wine.”
Dad must be just as annoyed with Mrs. Anderson as the rest of us are.
Our food arrives, and though Mom keeps the small talk going while we’re eating, the attention shifts from my pregnancy to our relationship.
“It’s so cute how they met,” my mother continues. “You have to share it again.”
I don’t remember discussing this previously. Hunter glances over at me and shoots me a wink.
“Most people think Lennon and I met through Brandon, but that’s actually not true,” he starts.
Blood pumps harder through my system, and I feel like the pulse in my neck is throbbing in overdrive.
“I was at work, and Lennon ordered a drink from me. I knew how amazing Lennon was after just one sentence. Sometimes, when you meet someone—and you share a special moment—it’s like you just know. When she dated my best friend, I sat on the sidelines, happy for them. But after the accident, no one understood the loss and pain I was feeling better than Lennon. We were there for each other when we both needed someone the most. She was my saving grace. She’s my everything.” He turns to me with a sincere look on his face before going back to the story. “The day we met, I had no idea Lennon would be my wife or we’d be starting a family, but I’m so grateful. I can’t imagine a day without her now.” He gives me his infamous smile, and I practically melt. The only thing that pulls me away from staring at Hunter in awe is my father’s voice.