Page 47 of Lightness In My Dark

“I deserved that.”

We continued to take in the silence while watching the snow taper off.

Without turning my head to her, I asked, “Can I come with you today? To hang with your friends?” I glanced at her sideways.

“Are you sure? They’re not rich, Finn. My friends are just average people. There won’t be anything spec—”

“I’m sure.” She accepted my response. “Can I ask you something else?” Her brow tipped up. “Can I hug you?”

Wren digested the request as she got up. When she was near, I heaved her onto my lap, her legs straddling me.

I hugged her and gave a slight squeeze. Her body was severe. Even so, she put her arms around my shoulders and rested her head on one. I whispered, “I’m so sorry, Wren. I will do whatever I can to make it up to you.” Wren’s body relaxed into mine.

We sat hugging for a while. I didn’t want to break it. She felt good in my arms and her scent made me want to hold her all day.

Wren broke the hug and said, “I better get things together.” I slid my arms from her and stood to get ready, too.

In the kitchen, Wren put her friends’ gifts in a bag and placed it by the door. She piled the food she had made on the counter and searched for another bag. I showed her where they were located, filling another one with bottles of wine and a bottle of bourbon. One cabinet had some boxes of chocolates Mable had bought for impromptu guests or last-minute dinners. I also tossed those into the bag.

Wren let me drive the one-and-a-half-hours to her friends. Her playlist connected to the Bluetooth. I assumed she was letting me know what she expected, because she playedTreat Her Right by The Commitmentsthree times in a row. A light snowfall started halfway into the drive. She gave me a heads-up on her friends, Jessica and Emily. Jessica was married to Brad, and Emily had a boyfriend named John. There would also be friends and family of Jessica’s. My hands gripped the steering wheel, releasing one at a time to wipe the sweat on my jeans. I was nervous as hell, not knowing how they would receive me. Wren’s and my relationship was a surprise to them, so they could wind up being protective or appalled by who I am.

Since cars blocked the driveway, I parked the car on the street. Wren held bags, asking if I was ready. I gave her a nod and lingered back so she could say hello.

As I approached the door, one of her friends said, “You said he had plans, so when are we going to meet your fiancé?”

I took a big gulp of air, opened the screen door, and stepped inside. Extending my hand, I said, “Hi. I’m Finn.”

Wren followed up with, “I forgot to let you know there was a change in plans. Finn came with me.” She took her shoes off and put them by the door with the others.

Her friends didn’t make a move, standing there in shock, mouths open. Wren waved her hand in front of their faces. They still said nothing. I let my hand drop.

Two guys came into the foyer, as one said, “Holy shit! How tall are you?”

I let out a weak laugh. “Six three.”

The guy next to one girl pushed her shoulder as she fell into the other one to get their attention.

The one who asked my height, put out his hand, and said, “Hey, I’m Brad and that rude one at the end is my wife, Jessica.”

I took his hand. “Finn.”

Brad smacked the other guy’s chest and said, “This is John, and the other ignorant one is his girlfriend, Emily.”

I nodded to each one, the women still open-mouthed, staring.

Brad yelled at the women, “What the fuck is wrong with you two?”

They grabbed Wren’s arm, dragging her into the kitchen, which had a half-wall dividing the two rooms.

I couldn’t identify the voices, but one whispered shouted, “Are you kidding me? That’s your fiancé?”

The other chimed in. “Damn! He’s fucking gorgeous. I think I just wet myself.”

Brad and John stood with their hands at their sides, rocking back on their heels.

John leaned over into the kitchen and said, “Hey dumbasses. You realize we can hear you, right?”

They laughed and told him toshut up.

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