Page 70 of Embracing Trust

Mom brings her hand to her mouth. “Oh, Ryan.”

Dad shakes his head.

There’s a knock on the front door and it opens. “Hello?”

I stand and go to the foyer. “We’re in here.”

Aubree follows me to the kitchen and studies my parent’s grim expressions. “Hello.”

“Aubree.” Dad takes another drink of his tea.

“Sit down, dear,” Mom says and points to the empty chair. “Can I get you some tea?”

“Yes. Please.” Aubree sits down and folds her hands politely on the table in front of her.

Dad looks back and forth between me and Aubree. “Ryan told us your news.”

Aubree’s face beams. “He did? We were very surprised, but we’re very excited.” She looks at me and smiles. “Aren’t we, honey?”

Honey? What the hell?

My fists squeeze the hem of my shorts under the table. “There’s a lot we need to—”

“Mr. and Mrs. McCormick, your son is the sweetest, kindest man I’ve ever known and although you weren’t expecting to hear this news, I want you to know we’re thrilled about—”

“Aubree,” I growl.

“Ryan has been great. He’s been so supportive,” Aubree says, her voice so sweet, I almost get a cavity. “We are just starting to make some plans.”

What the hell is she even talking about? Supportive?

The beer I drank at Patrick’s is rolling around in my gut.

“Whatareyour plans, son?” Dad’s face is still stern. I slip a peek at Mom’s expression. Unreadable—a slight smile.

I take a deep breath and my mouth is dry. “As I started to say before Aubree got here, it’s complicated. We’re not even—”

“Yes, it’s complicated,” Aubree agrees with a nod. “We’re not sure if we’re going to live here or if Ryan is moving back to North Carolina.”

“There’s also the fact—”

“You would move to North Carolina?” Mom’s mouth drops and a slight gasp can be heard.

“Mom—”

“Or we could live here,” Aubree says with that smile.

Geez, I can’t get a word in.

“Well, if you decided to live here, I could always use a hand at the agency. It’d be a steady job. You’ll need it with a growing family.”

“Dad, that’s—”

“That’s great, Mr. McCormick,” Aubree says as she claps her hands lightly.

“Call me Cullen.”

Aubree clutches her chest and melts Dad right in his chair. “Cullen, that is wonderful. Ryan’s been talking about that.”

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