Page 36 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

My mom, who was a foot shorter than me and weighed no more than a hundred and thirty pounds, shoved my ass aside.

Mom wrapped her up in a big squeeze. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are here.” She pulled back, holding her at arm’s length.

Harlow smiled warmly. “How have you been, Josie?”

Mom looked her over. “I’m good, but you’re too skinny. Is my son not feeding you?”

I snorted. “She’s been in town for a week, Ma.”

She glared at me. “That’s not what I asked.”

I rolled my eyes, but Mom was already moving toward the fridge. “Do you want something to drink, sweetheart?”

“What about me?” I asked, picking up the spoon on the stove. Mom’s meat sauce was my favorite, and I couldn’t wait to dig in.

Mom grabbed a glass from the cupboard and pointed at me. “You know where everything is. You can help yourself, and don’t you dare think about touching that sauce.”

I held my hand up and started backing away. “I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry, so why don’t you go help your brothers set the table so Harlow and I can catch up?”

I glanced at Harlow, who gave me a nod, letting me know she was fine.

“All right,” my mom said, pouring her a glass of iced tea. “Now, tell me everything, starting with how you ended up back in Marcellus Falls.”

Harlow hesitated. “It’s a long, messy story.”

Mom walked over and started stirring the sauce in the pot. “Well, it just so happens I have time, so take a seat.”

Maybe this would go easier than expected.

I stood off to the side, watching the two of them together. Mom had a way of making people feel at ease, even if they didn’t deserve it.

My folks were warm and genuine, but they were also loyal. They witnessed firsthand how devastated I was when Harlow left me. I felt a smidge of relief that my family wasn’t holding any grudges.

I might have been almost thirty years old, but the people in this house meant everything to me. And seeing Harlow with my mom filled me with emotions I wasn’t ready to process or understand. For a brief second, I almost forgot that this was all fake.

We sat around the table,stuffed from dinner, while Harlow answered my family’s endless questions. Mom grinned like she had just won the lottery, and Dad fired off question after question about her life in Manhattan.

Mom sighed dreamily and clasped her hands under her chin. “I always hoped you two kids would find your way back together again.”

Harlow smiled politely. “Thank you for saying that and for welcoming me back and making me feel at home.”

Mom patted her hand while Dad poured her a cup of coffee. “You will always be part of this family.”

I cleared my throat, figuring this was the right time to announce our engagement.

“I’m glad you feel that way, Ma, because Harlow and I have news.”

The room went silent. I felt Harlow fidgeting next to me.

Hayes was stuffing a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth. “What kind of news?”

I grabbed Harlow’s hand under the table. “Harlow and I are engaged.”

Hayes choked on his cookie while Tuck’s head whipped to mine. “I’m sorry… you’re what?”

“You’re engaged?” Mom squealed as Dad dropped into his seat.

---