Page 12 of Objection to Love

Noah scoffed, but didn’t correct Garrett. “So do you want to come?”

“Sure, I’ve got nothing else to do. What time?”

“Seven. Want to drive? My car needs an oil change and I’ve been putting it off.”

“I’m assuming you don’t plan to buy my dinner either.” Garrett sighed, twisting in another screw on his bedpost. “Some date.” He gave the headboard a shake. Sturdy.

“Hey I bought the tickets.”

“Tickets for a supposedly terrible band.”

“I knew I should have called Will first.”

“He’s out of town on a business trip. I just talked to him yesterday.” Garrett stood, surveying his work.

“Too bad, he wouldn’t have complained so much.”

“Me? Complain? Nah. I’m a ray of sunshine and you’re lucky to be one of my friends.”

Noah barked a laugh. “Sure thing. Hey, I gotta run. See you tomorrow.”

“See ya.”

The call disconnected, and Garrett hauled his box spring and mattress onto it. He loved moving around with his job… but the actual, physical part of moving was getting a little old. Sometimes it felt like he’d barely unpacked before he was already moving again. But at least this move had brought him closer to home. Closer to his mom’s house and to his old high school buddies. Too bad the job was only a few months long—he could get used to being back in Colorado.

Chapter 6

Em

Sundaycametoofast.The three days Em had to prepare to kindly let down whomever her parents had invited to dinner was not enough time.

April and Jackson had picked Em up at four, and together they’d taken the nearly two-hour drive to her parents' house.

Two hours was too fast also.

“Oh, September, I’m so glad you could come.” Mom reached out and kissed Em’s cheek as she entered the house. It was the only physical connection Em ever had with either of her parents. Both her parents, Diane and Dan, were a measure in contradictions. They appeared warm and inviting, but Em couldn’t remember the last time either hadreallyhugged her. She’d never really thought it was weird until she’d gone to her best friend’s house in high school, and her friend’s mom had immediately wrapped her in a hug and welcomed her into their home. After that friend and Em had gone their separate ways for college, if it weren’t for April and a few dates here and there, Em might have forgotten what hugs felt like.

Essentially, Mom and Dad were all efficiency in their parenting. Never unkind. Never neglectful.

But also never really… loving.

And then there was the fact that Mom and Dad always praised Em’s accomplishments but acted as if her failures did not exist. She couldn’t be sure if that came from a place of love… or embarrassment. She tended to think it was more embarrassment.

When someone made a mistake, they weren’t coddled or cheered up. Nope. Their failure was brushed under the rug or silently fixed by Dan or Diane. The Millers did not fail; therefore, Em’s few failures did not exist.

Case in point, the man her mom was currently guiding her toward.

Secretly, Em was sure her parents saw her lack of committed relationship as a failure in life. Theynevertalked about how she should be dating more, or how they wished she were married like April, but theyalwayshad a new son of so-and-so’s to introduce her to. So-and-so was never invited to these dinners though. Only their son.

“September, look who joined us tonight! This is Marshall. Marshall Davies. You remember the Davies, don’t you?”

Em didn’t, but she dutifully greeted Marshall with a smile and a handshake. One of her firm ones. She never wanted these men to think she was as incapable and pathetic as they probably assumed, given that her parents were always setting them up with her.

Marshall, for his part, was a fairly handsome man. He was exactly her height in heels, which was neither a pro nor con. She’d prefer he was taller, but you know the saying—tall girls can’t be choosers—or something like that. He had light hair that was a little long on top, a thin frame, but not overly thin, and a fairly serious expression. That was a point in his favor. Em was developing a dislike for men who smiled too much.

“September? Do you have a sister named October?” The man’s face broke into a small smile, and he lost a few more points.

“Nope. April,” her sister said from behind her. “And, yes, my birthday is in April, and Em’s is in September. Hi. I’m April.” April stuck her hand out, and Marshall had the decency to look a little abashed.

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