Page 84 of An Engagement for Erica

“Has he met Erica?” his mother asked. “Since you said he asked to.”

“He has. She went with me to visit him in the hospital.” He took another sip of beer and felt as if he was confessing every sin in his life now. “I bought a fake engagement ring for her to wear.”

“Tucker!”

There was the yelling.

“Sorry,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking again. I figured he’d catch onto the fact she didn’t have one. You know he’s like a hawk with details.”

“I can’t believe Erica went along with this,” his mother said, crossing her arms. “I’m not sure I like that she did.”

“She didn’t want to at first. I mean I know she did it for me. She was concerned about Grandpa and everything I was going through. I think she thought he’d forget too, but it hasn’t happened.”

“I like that she was supportive of you, but are you sure why? She might be agreeing because she wants to take advantage of the situation.”

“Absolutely not,” he said. “Never. You don’t know her like I do. She’s nervous about this. I think we just did what we thought was right at the time.”

“And now it might bite you in the butt?” his mother asked.

“I hope not,” he said. “I’m not worrying too much. I just wanted you to know what was going on. It’s not like she is wearing the ring daily and no one in her family knows about it. She doesn’t want them to.”

“That is something at least,” his mother asked. “Have you met any of her family other than her father? And does her father know you’re dating?”

“Her father doesn’t know,” he said. He wouldn’t be bothered over that right yet either. “But I met her sister who lives with her. I met Harmony on Sunday.”

“I’m going to want to meet Erica too,” his mother said. “So I can form my own opinion.”

“I know,” he said. He was dreading it, but knew it should be done. “She knows that too. She’s okay with it. You’re going to love her.”

“Do you love her?” his mother asked.

“I’m not going to answer that,” he said.

“Why?”

“Because that’s personal,” he said firmly.

“Tucker, you asked her to do something you’d never ask anyone else. I know my kid. Your heart is there whether you want to admit it or not and I’ll consider that when I meet her.”

“Thank you for that,” he said. “Michael is also aware.”

“I’d think anyone in contact with your grandfather has to be aware so you don’t slip.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ll take care of it all. We are dating and it’s not a big deal. Grandpa might even get a big laugh out of it.”

“I doubt that,” his mother said.

His mother was right. His grandfather never wanted to be played or made a fool of.

He really got himself in a bind here and was trying to figure out how to get out of it.

But it wasn’t as important as it was that his mother meet and like Erica.

28

REFLECTION ON HIM

“Will you stop pacing,” Harmony said to her on Saturday.

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