Page 52 of What If I See You

“Listen, if I’m affectionate with you and make you uncomfortable in any way, just, you know…give me a sign. Otherwise, you’re my wife who I’m madly in love with so I’ll treat you that way.”

Not knowing at all what to say because I have no idea what he means by affectionate, I concede. “Okay.” I nod several times reminding myself I can do this.

Worst case scenario they hate me and ask me to leave and I go home.

Home.

My place.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, I got a notification this morning about my apartment building. The waterline is all fixed so I can go back home.”

The notification actually came well over a week ago but I’ve been busy writing and I’m not going to lie… I’ve kind of been enjoying having a roommate of the male variety. He’s great to look at, the perfect muse for my book, and he cooks too. But now I feel guilty for overstaying my welcome.

His brow furrows slightly, but then he nods and squeezes my hand. “Let’s talk about that later. You ready?”

“Yeah.”

I can do this.

We can do this.

“Let’s do this then.”

He gets out of the car and walks around to open my door, ever the gentleman, and then holds my hand as we approach the front door. He doesn’t say a word about how hard I’m squeezing his hand, and I’m grateful for that. We don’t even get the chance to knock before the front door swings open and a young man who has to be Griffin’s brother flies into Griffin’s arms.

“Griffin!”

“Hey Gagey!” Griffin says, wrapping his brother in a huge hug. He closes his eyes, a look of contentment on his face as they share a sincerely loving embrace. “I’ve missed you Gage.”

“I missed you too Griffin.” Their arms finally separate and Gage looks at me and smiles happily.

“Gage,” Griffin says softly, “I’d like you to meet my wi?—”

“Hello. I’m Gage,” he says. “Griffin is my best brother.” And then just as Griffin explained in the car, he wraps his arms around me in a tight hug, which I happily return.

“Hi Gage. I’m Layken. It’s so great to finally meet you.”

“Want to sit by me at dinner?”

“Of course! I’ll sit anywhere you tell me to sit.”

He releases his hold on me so I follow suit just as an older couple appears in the doorway.

“Well, if you’re going to get married without us being there, at least you leveled up,” the man says, smiling at me and then winking at Griffin. “That’a boy, Son. She’s a pretty one.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Griffin gives his dad a quick hug and then glances at me. “I’m pretty damn sure she’s the best part of me.”

I know he doesn’t really mean that, but something in the way he looks at me makes me shift on my feet and causes me to blush. How I could be the best part of anyone is beyond me. Especially if my mom has anything to say about it.

“Dad, I’d like you to meet my wife, Layken Hobbs Ollenberg.”

I offer Griffin’s father my hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, sir.”

He beams at me and opens his arms. “Oh, you can forget the handshake, sweetheart. I’ve been waiting for years to finally have a daughter, so I’d like to give you a nice big hug if that’s okay?”

Wait.

He’s not mad?

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