Page 26 of Recon Rendezvous

Mom gives me the look. “We most certainly did. Every time we saw you during those first few months after you started dating, but, you know, young love.”

“And after that?” I ask, gobsmacked.

“Well, we just wanted you to be happy, so we left you to it,” Dad says.

“I don’t remember that. I thought you loved him.”

Dad shrugs. “Like I said, he was pleasant enough. We just didn’t think he was a good fit for you. Thankfully, you’ve moved on.”

“What was it about him? What didn’t you like?”

They glance at each other again before Mom says, “It was him, but it wasn’t. It was more you.Youwere different. A little less likeyoueach time we saw you. Our baby girl is a star, and you’ve always shined so bright. At times, I felt like he didn’t like that about you.”

Looking down at my glass, I let her words wash over me, my skin heating and pricking at the thought of their concern for me for years. Love is basically like wearing fucking beer goggles but once I tore them off, I saw him for who he was, and I was done putting up with his shit.

I nod because I finally understand what they mean. “Well, I’m just glad that time of my life is over, and I learned from it.”

“What did you learn?”

I take a deep breath, lowering my gaze to the countertop. “I learned what I want and what I’ll never put up with again.”

“That’s my girl.” Mom pats my head like I’m a puppy. “Listen, your twenties are for you to make these mistakes. You’ve learned from it and it’s okay to move on. There’s no need to dwell in the past and on the what ifs, the shouldas, or whatever. You’ve always been so hard on yourself, but your time is now, I just know it. And we’re so happy you’re home so we can be a part of it.”

My eyes well with tears as her words wash over me and I exhale a long breath.

Yeah, that’s kind of what I was thinking, too.

“We’ll leave you with that for a moment. Take a minute and then come find us in the den,” Dad says before they both lean into kiss my cheeks. Then grasping each other’s hands, they leave me in the too quiet kitchen.

Sighing, I pull a rough hand through my hair. They’re right. I moved here to start over, to be who I want to be. I need to pull on my big girl britches and just do it.

Following their voices, I find them in the den, just as Mom says, “I need to go make up her room. You know, in case she deigns to stay the night and spend some time with the people who brought her into this world.”

“Aw, I’m still your little girl. You missed me!” My smile splitting my face as I approach.

“Of course, we did,” Dad says. “We’re ecstatic you’re settling down here.”

Folding my legs underneath me on the overstuffed couch, I snuggle in between them, taking Mom’s hand and leaning my head against Dad’s shoulder. We’re quiet as Dad flicks through the new Netflix releases.

“Next time, promise me you’ll let me know loud and clear that he’s wrong for me. Don’t let me waste another seven years on the wrong one,” I whisper.

Mom gives my hand a squeeze as Dad sighs and says, “We promise to be there and support you in any and everything. We fully believe you didn’t make a mistake with Travis. Our baby is too perfect for mistakes. But you learned something from him. Even if it’s just what you don’t want in a future partner and relationship. You are capable of determining what you want and what kind of man you need. And when you find your one, we’ll be here to tell you we told you so.”

Closing my eyes, I inhale a deep, cleansing breath, as Mom says, “I also have a feeling we won’t have to because you’ll know when he’s right.”

I’m not one to doubt her but I nod. Love isn’t in my future, but maybe I should listen to the girls and have some fun. A smile comes to my lips as a ridiculous plan comes to mind.

CHAPTER EIGHT

XANDER

The round of applause that greets me as I stride into Ty and Sasha’s place is like music to my ears. Mia wolf whistles wildly as Gem, Sasha, and London dance around, hooting and hollering like banshees.

Bending, I offer the girls a deep bow. “Thank you. Thank you. You’re far too kind.”

Bopping past them, I can’t help but think, this is how I should be greeted whenever I walk into a room. What’s even better? They came to that conclusion on their own.

This isn’t the reception I expected when I saw London again, but I’ll take it. It’s only when I make it into the family room that I reconsider their reaction, which I guess says a lot about me.

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