Page 87 of Tattered Edges

Regardless, I still wanted them to like me.

As someone who spent most of my life in a lackluster, long-distance relationship with the only parent I knew, Rory’s regular trips home were all the evidence I needed that they were important to him. So, of course, I overpacked.

I had two outfit options for that night—Rory having assured me we would stop by the hotel before heading to his parents’ place—and I had to talk myself out of packing a third. Instead, I put that outfit on and finished getting ready for work.

Victoria and I arrived at the shop at the same time. Before I could open my mouth to say hello, she cried, “You will never believe what I got up to last night.”

Instantly intrigued, I raised my eyebrows and insisted, “Do tell.”

“I subscribed to one of those dating apps.”

My eyes widened, and she laughed.

“I know. I could hardly believe it myself, given my distaste for such things, but you’ve inspired me.”

“I have?”

“Don’t act so surprised. For one thing, you called social media a necessary evil, and I think you’re right. Plus, you’ve been absolutely radiant these last few weeks—and I know it’s not just because of our increased foot traffic. You’re falling in love, and it’s marvelous.

“Granted, I don’t have particularly high expectations for the dating app, but I thought why not give it a try? There’s no harm in it.”

“You’re right. There’s not. I imagine it can be kind of fun, if you have the right attitude about it.”

“Exactly. Now, enough about me, how was the rest of your weekend?”

I turned, signaling I would walk with her to the back closet, so she could stow away her things.

“Well, uh—Rory invited me to meet his parents,” I confided as we went. “Tonight, actually. He’ll be by to pick me up around four. I hope you don’t mind closing alone.”

“Don’t worry about that,” she scoffed. “Meeting the parents. That’s monumental.”

“Right!? That’s what I said. He keeps insisting it’s not a big deal.”

“It’s a bit different for him though, isn’t it? Obviously, he’s well acquainted with all parties involved, and the invitation in itself is a sign of his confidence that you’ll get on fine. Besides, you’re brilliant. He’s coming home with a prize.”

“I don’t know. Maybe. I tend to thinkthey’rethe brilliant ones. His dad is an economist, and his mom is a tenured professor of Greek studies at Oxford.Andthey made Rory. What have I done?”

Having hung her coat, Victoria turned to look at me with a bewildered expression.

“Is that a serious question?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but she shook her headandwaved a finger at me before she started talking again.

“No, dear, no. None of that.”

Heading back for the front of the store, she pressed a hand against the middle of my back and encouraged me to walk alongside her.

“Need I remind you that all of this is yours?”

I gave her my best look of skepticism and retorted, “That’s not fair. I barely just got here. And I couldn’t handle any of this without you.”

“Nonsense. You’re a go-getter if I’ve ever seen one. The changes you’ve made, the improvements? That’s all you. Not to mention all you accomplished before you got here. And don’t start up again about how unimpressive your life was. It’s all a journey, Sawyer.

“Rory’s parents are just people who made a series of choices that resulted in their life as it is now. You, too, have lived out your own adventure. Now your paths will cross, Rory acting as your junction point, and that’s what matters most. The thing you’ll all have in common when you walk through their door is that you all care for Rory—everything else is just window dressing.”

“Wow,” I said softly, a sense of relief easing the tension in my shoulders I hadn’t noticed until it was gone. “You’re really good at a pep talk.”

She grinned. “Everyone needs a friend to act as a mirror sometimes. Always happy to be yours.

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