Page 82 of Changing the Play

She’s truthfully not at all what I expected. I’m actually not surewhatI was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t a five-foot-nothing tiny woman with hair bigger than her head and the chaotic energy of a hurricane. I’d almost think she was Parker’s mom instead of Darcy’s.

Elle comes into the room and sets plates down in front of all of us with a flourish. “Dig in, boys.”

Genuinely do not have to tell me twice. The second I bite into the garlic bread, my soul leaves my body and goes straight to heaven. Holy shit. “This is so good,” I murmur after I swallow.

Elle gives me a bright smile. “Thank you. So Darcy tells me you want to be a teacher.”

I nod. “Yes. I hope to teach English.”

“Ah, a boy after my own heart. I love that. I’m not sure how I ended up with two history nerds. I thought for sure I stacked the deck in my favor by naming him Darcy. No such luck.”

I smile at her and Darcy laughs. “To be fair, I like reading too. I just like history a bit more.”

“Nerds,” Elle mouths to me.

“I fear I’m not much better. History isn’t my thing, but I do have a stack of classic novels in my room taller than me.”

Darcy hums. “He’s not wrong. He’s been readingPride and Prejudiceto me out loud. We’re about done now. He definitely has a gift for it.”

“A good quality to have in a teacher,” Elle says. “So, are you wanting to teach at the high school level, then?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Elle narrows her eyes at me. “Final warning, Weston. It’s just Elle.”

I don’t want to risk my life, so Elle it is. Noted. Remembered. Won’t be forgotten again. I nod. “Dinner is fantastic.”

Professor Sinclair, who has been mostly quiet since we started eating, turns in his seat to face Darcy and me. “And we have brownies for dessert, so make sure you save some room.”

At first, I’m stiff and filled with nerves, but as the dinner goes on, I relax. One glass of wine blurs into two and then three. ProfessorSinclair—Bill—is all smiles as he watches Elle with adoration in his eyes. Her boisterous personality grows bigger the more wine she drinks. Her cheeks get pinker, and before long, she and Darcy are joking back and forth with each other.

They all seem so comfortable and relaxed. Family dinners are never like this with my dad, and I sit back and take it all in. It’s clear that Elle has the same dry deadpan humor Darcy has, and I honestly love her already.

By the time all our plates are empty and we’re opening a third bottle of wine, we’ve all dissolved into laughter more times than I can count. I catch Darcy’s eyes. They’re a little hazy from his buzz, but they’re warm too.

I let my hand find his under the table and his eyes melt into something a little sweeter, a little more fond, as he lifts my hand and presses his lips to my knuckles.

The conversation goes well into the night and I sink deeper into my seat, the wine and atmosphere wrapping me in a warm blanket. I love this. This feeling of belonging. I was worried for no reason.

“You two should stay here tonight.” Bill’s voice pulls me from my internal musing.

“Oh. I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense,” Elle says, smiling at me. “You boys have helped us polish off three bottles of wine. I wouldn’t feel right sending you home.”

“We could order an Uber,” I offer.

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Darcy says, laughter in his voice.

My cheeks heat as I think about the last Uber ride we took.

“Really,” Bill interjects. “Stay here. There’s no reason for you guys to get an Uber when Darcy’s old room is right down the hall.”

I glance at Darcy and he shrugs. “I’m good with it.”

Oh shit. Okay. I guess I’m staying the night at Darcy’s parents’ house. “Okay. Thank you.”

With a grin and a kiss to my cheek, Darcy leans past me and picks up my glass, swallowing down the last bit of wine.

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