Page 35 of An Engagement Pact

It’s a long one since I have Sasha duties tacked onto my normal full schedule. The day passes quickly, and I do my best not to get giddy about seeing Dan again in the evening.

Like yesterday, Sasha and I meet Dan in the library parking lot at seven. He’s standing by his car as I approach, and something about the sight of him makes my heart jump right into my throat, choking me on a surge of attraction and appreciation.

He’s lean but strong. His light brown hair glints like gold in the sunlight. His smile is warm. Heart-stopping. He’s wearing shorts and a T-shirt but still manages to look breezy and affluent.

His parents might not be billionaires or multimillionaires like a good number of Green Valley residents, but they’re still incredibly well off. Privileged. Worlds away from my own family and experiences. We don’t fit at all.

What the hell am I even doing with him?

He kneels down as I approach so he can greet Sasha on the dog’s level, giving her an enthusiastic rubdown and inquiring about her health and her mood. Sasha answers with a cheerful, extended yowl, explaining that she’s happy to see him, of course, but the bigger priority is that we begin the walk she’s been promised. She gives a few dramatic nods toward the trail to make sure we can understand her declaration.

“I know, I know,” Dan says with a laugh as he stands up. “How dare I delay your walk by saying hello.” His eyes shift to my face. “Hi.”

I blush for no good reason. “Hi.”

“How are you?” It sounds like he really wants to know. His eyes are searching my expression.

“I’m fine.”

“No urge to flee in a panic to a different state?”

His wry comment surprises me so much I giggle. “Maybe a few brief flickers, but nothing long-lived.”

“That’s good.” At a demanding yip from Sasha, he laughs again. “Yes, we’re coming. Have a little patience.”

“She has a lot of fine qualities, but patience isn’t one of them.” I let the dog pull me toward the trail, and Dan falls into step with us.

“I can sympathize.”

I check his face to discover if he’s implying something by that mild comment, but he’s not. He smiles at me.

So judge me if you must. There’s no way I can help but smile back.

***

THE FOLLOWING EVENINGis Dan’s parents’ cookout, so I have to meet them for the first time.

I’m nervous about it all day.

There’s no real reason for me to be nervous. It doesn’t matter at all whether his parents like me or not. In fact, it will probably make it easier later on if they don’t. They’ll be glad we called it off after a short engagement and an even shorter marriage.

But I want them to like me anyway.

I can’t seem to help it.

He hasn’t talked all that much about his parents in the past month. He’s told me they got divorced—which is when he moved out of Green Valley with his mom—but then got back together after a few years. His father works in the finance department of a local company, and his mother has always been a stay-at-home spouse except for the years she was divorced—when she worked retail. He seems to have a decent relationship with them, but they’re not as close as some families. Definitely not as close as Savannah is with Jim and Esther.

I don’t know anything else, so there’s not much I can do to prepare.

Before I pick out my outfit, I text Dan to ask if this is a regular, down-home barbecue where I can wear shorts and a casual top or one of Green Valley’s fancy, outdoor get-togethers in which garden-party attire is more appropriate.

He tells me to wear shorts, so I do. Cute, well-cut blue shorts and a simple white top that looks a step better than a regular T-shirt. I fix my hair and put on makeup—I can only pull off the most natural-looking makeup—and finish my ensemble with trendy sandals.

I look as good as I could hope for, so I pray my outfit is in keeping with everyone else’s.

I’m relieved when Dan shows up in khaki shorts and a green golf shirt. He lingers to chat with Jim and Esther, who are getting ready to go out to their favorite pizza place for dinner. I’m quiet as we head out to his car and then start the drive there.

“You okay?” he asks after a few minutes.

---