Page 106 of Between Us

From there, the day plays out quietly and comfortably. Grady FaceTimes the family again, and this time I get a peek of his girlfriend Arielle throughout the conversation. We watch Elf and Home Alone, tucked into the couches with knitted blankets and hot chocolate. For lunch, Selena heats up some of the tamales she made a few nights ago, and I learn that sheonlycooks them during the holiday, adding to why it’s Blake’s favorite time of the year.

And even though I don’t stay another night—wanting to give them some time alone as well—my heart is full, and I don’t feel lonely like I had expected.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Blake

“That’stheone,”Margodeclares from my bed.

In the mirror, I can see Meera nodding next to her eagerly.

Taking in my reflection again, it truthfully takes a lot of mental focus to not think about what this mirror was used for only a week ago. Other than Christmas Day, we’ve spent every night together since. He really did give me a spare key a few days ago—he slipped it on my keychain when I was leaving work last week and asked me to ‘meet him at home’ because he was working later than me.

So, I did. After grabbing an overnight bag from home and letting my mom know where I’d be, I went to his apartment and waited for him. Killing time by taking a shower and making us dinner, I didn’t feel uncomfortable, or out of place, at any point.

It felt right, especially when he opened the door and found me standing at the stove in nothing but a pair of boyshort panties, and theLooney Tunescrewneck I had just bought for him.

And… that was that. Much like dinners at The Loop, and him watching the Paulson boys with me, it became another one of our routines.

Focusing back on the moment, I take in my reflection. I’m in a mini sequin dress with long sleeves and an open back. It’s different from what I’d usually wear, but I don’t dislike it either. The midnight blue compliments my dark hair and gray eyes really well, and the thin shimmery tights Margo insisted I try on with it, are a nice touch.

“Are you sure?” I ask anyway, feeling silly to dress up for a party in my parents’ living room. They always host a little gathering for New Year’s Eve, though usually I’m off with Margo, Meera, and her brothers, doing something else.

This year, they decided to spend the night here and even convinced their parents to break their usual traditions to come as well.

But more than just feeling silly, Adrian is going to be here tonight. With his parents and Maria. I almost wish he hadn’t told me and instead had gone with the surprise approach like when he took me to SunRay’s, and I met his Grammy.

The anxiety of meeting them for the first time has been brewing for three days now, ever since Adrian and I agreed that we wanted to spend the night together. Our relationship is new but is at the forefront of my life as we move into the new year, so it felt right.

And I want to meet Camille, Will, and Maria. They are the three people responsible for making Adrian into the man I’ve fallen in love with. That’s also why I’m so worried that something will go wrong.

“Absolutely yes,” Margo insists, looking so authentically herself and comfortable in that version. Her long blonde hair is curled and styled with little bows. It’s the short, black dress with bell sleeves, paired with sparkly fishnet tights and combat boots, that really ties the whole look together.

Meera, on the other hand, is in a gray midi silk skirt, styled with a pretty updo, a black mesh top with a bralette underneath, and heels that add at least four inches to her height. Looking me over, she agrees with Margo for the fifth time. “You look beautiful, Blake. Promise.”

“Couldn’t agree more.” Adrian’s deep voice comes from the doorway and our heads whip in that direction. “I like them,” he nods toward my friends. “They haven’t been wrong since I met them.”

“Hell yeah, we’re always right,” Margo agrees from behind me and I hear her share a high five with Meera.

Rolling my eyes, I smile at Adrian and ignore the peanut gallery sitting on my bed. As soon as I saw him leaning against the door frame, I felt this cosmic force to be closer to him. Without overthinking it, I close the gap separating us, and he pulls me into his embrace before I can reach for him.

As my arms wrap around his waist, he gently cups the back of my neck with one hand and my jaw with the other. “Hey, Storm Cloud. You really are fucking gorgeous.” He drops his lips to mine and takes his time greeting me, already used to the audience we have anytime they’re in town.

A little thing I’ve noticed about Adrian is he typically uses compliments that are broader than the current moment. Like now—I don’tlookgorgeous, I justam. I wouldn’t turn down any types of affirmation from him, but I love these ones a little extra.

“Thanks. You look really great as well.” I take a step back to take in his black pants and the dark blue satin button down he has on. It’s short sleeved with a monochrome floral print to it, still I can’t help but notice—

“Oh my God, they match,” Meera squeals from the bed. I’m sure she’s trying to be quiet except she fails miserably. And Margo’s snort clues her in because she whispers, “Sorry.”

Shaking my head, I walk over to the small jewelry holder pinned to my wall, picking out some earrings before I put on the necklace Adrian gave me.

“Okay,” Margo singsongs. “We’ll meet you out there.”

From the corner of my eye, I watch as they both stop to give Adrian a quick hug in greeting, before making their way to the backyard. In the middle of putting my second earring in, I turn toward him as he softly shuts the door.

“I’m almost done. I don’t want to keep your parents waiting.”

“It’s okay. I introduced them to your parents already and got to meet Bonnie. She’s nice.” I nod and finish clasping the back of the earring. “Are you feeling okay about tonight? I don’t want you to be nervous, but I know you better than that.”

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