Page 54 of The Best Number

Cassidy

Ismile across at Tom as he approaches us. He scoops me in for a hug as if it’s been forever since we last saw each other, even though we’d been wrapped in each other just a few hours ago. His hug brings me comfort, helping me feel at ease. He’s such a teddy bear and I’m becoming very attached to his hugs.

“Hey, Mac. How are you doing?” He pulls back to look me dead in the eye. I smile back at him, but my nerves must be showing.

“I’m good. This is just a little unexpected.” I tilt my head slightly in Jack’s direction and Tom’s eyes flash knowingly. Out of all of us, Jack always seems like the most flighty one in this still-new relationship and now he’s about to introduce me to his parents as the third person in his previously casual relationship with Tom.Wowsers. How did we even get here?

“This is a good sign,” Tom tells me calmly. He draws back and hugs Jack next. “You sure about this, Jack?” Tom asks, as Jack reaches over for me and gathers all three of us in a hug.

“Guys, I’m in this. I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time. I don’t want to hide that from my parents. Is it okay if I tell them?”

“They’re your parents, Jack—it’s up to you. I’m happy to be introduced however you see fit,” I tell him. He gives me a kiss on the lips and then Tom.

“Let’s get some drinks in and get settled,” he says.

Tom gives a nod.

“I’ll go with Tom to order and give you a chance to greet your parents first. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good. Get me a beer, will you? Tom can surprise me with which one.”

I follow Tom and perch on a stool while he makes his way behind the bar. I glance back and find Jack sprawled in one of the seats, scrolling on his phone. He looks completely at ease and not at all nervous.

“He’s something else, isn’t he?” Tom says with a raised eyebrow.

“I just can’t work out how we went from him being all anti-relationship to him telling his parents he’s in a throuple and introducing me to them,” I say, feeling confused.

“I think that when he’s in, he’s all in,” Tom says with a smile. “What can I get you to drink, Cassidy?”

“Can I get a mojito, please?”

“Of course.” He gets busy making my drink and it takes me back to that time, months ago, when I first saw him here. I stare at his tatted forearms and hands as he grinds the mint and crushes ice. Once he’s made it, he adds a straw and places it in front of me before pulling a pint for Jack.

I’m so engrossed in watching him work that I startle when the door opens and a couple walk in. A blonde woman with curly hair comes in first. She’s wearing funky glasses and a beautiful chunky necklace in all colours of the rainbow. Behind her is a taller man with silvery hair. My mouth falls open as I realisethat this is an older version of Jack and he’s gorgeous in a distinguished way. A true silver fox. The lady waves across at the bar at Tom.

The couple approach Jack, who is up out of the chair, pulling his mother in for a hug. His dad gives them both a squeeze before clapping Jack on the shoulder. Jack gestures for them to sit and must ask what they want to drink because he nods before heading our way.

“I’ll bring them over in a bit,” Tom tells Jack with a smile after he orders a glass of Rose for his mum and a pint of lemonade for his dad.

Jack makes his way back to the table and sits down. I can’t hear what’s being said, but it doesn’t look negative. His dad watches on with a calm look on his face as Jack and his mum chat back and forth. She seems to ask lots of questions and Jack patiently answers each one. More than once I see Jack gesture this way and his mum looks over, smiles and waves. I give an awkward little wave back. I look at his dad who’s watching the interaction. He raises his head in a nod when I make eye contact and gives me a wink. I’m blushing. Tom chuckles as he watches it all happen.

“You’ve met his parents before?” I ask as Tom prepares the drinks one by one and adds them to a tray.

“Yeah, it wasn’t a planned meeting. They showed up at Jack’s flat one morning after I’d spent the night. Could have been really awkward but they’re awesome people, so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.” He grins at me. “I get the feeling Jack’s mum has been encouraging our relationship ever since.”

Interesting. With happily married and supportive parents, I can’t quite understand why Jack has veered more towards singledom than being in a relationship. But I guess that’s his prerogative.

“What’s his deal? Why has he been so anti-relationship up until recently?”

Tom shrugs, “I don’t know much, just that he was engaged and it didn’t work out. I think it frightened him. And he stayed single after that.”

“Wow. Do you think it’s okay to ask him about it?”

“Sure, but maybe later, once he’s introduced you to his folks.” He lets himself out from the bar and grabs the tray, gesturing for me to follow. “Come on, time to take these drinks over and get introduced.” I grab my cocktail and follow him.

“Hey, Sandra,” Tom drawls as he places her wine in front of her and reaches down to peck her on the cheek. She pushes her chair back and rises to give him a hug.

“Tom, how are you? Is my son looking after you?” she asks, holding him by the cheeks and looking into his eyes.

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