Page 29 of Saffron and Secrets

“Take a seat at the table,” Flora says.

“I’ll help clean up,” I offer.

Flora lays a hand on her chest and widens her eyes. “I don’t know if you’re going to give me a heart attack or an orgasm first.”

I chuckle loudly, taken aback by her. How do I answer that?

“Have you had a drink today? You're being a little extra,” Ruby says from the table where she’s blowing the steam coming from her cup.

I take a seat to join her at the table, and she mouths, I’m so sorry.

I smile and mouth back, It’s okay.

“Nope. Only water and tea, sweetheart.”

Thirty minutes later a knock sounds at the door, and a woman’s voice filters in. “Mom, it’s just us.”

“Oh goodie, you will love them,” Flora says excitedly, and I look at Ruby, whose slack mouth and stilled body cause me to feel a little sorry for her. I don’t even have to guess this is her parents.

And holy fuck. I’m about to meet the parents. Well, this is a lot for one day.

I turn when the footsteps stop behind me, then smile and stand.

“Oh, hi,” Ruby’s mom says, her eyes flicking to Grandma and Ruby before returning to mine. “I wasn’t expecting anyone else.”

“Don’t worry. Neither was I, but this is Ruby’s friend,” Flora explains, but the way she said friend, it’s clear she isn’t buying it. But I’m glad she chose not to lose herself and make any other comments.

“Mom, Dad, this is Jonathan. John, these are my parents, Hugh and Pearl.”

I shake their hands and they both smile warmly at me, and we exchange greetings. I peer over at Ruby, who’s staring wide-eyed and now has a flushed face, probably overwhelmed now. So, I decide it’s time for me to leave and let her calm down from the big day. I can’t imagine how hard today’s been, and having me meet the parents without warning is another layer added to her stressful day.

“I should be going now. But it was so lovely to meet you all,” I say.

“You haven’t had the cake yet,” Flora says.

The oven timer goes off just then. “How about I take a piece home?”

“That I can do.” Flora turns and grabs the cake from the oven and cuts me a large piece.

After I say goodbye to everyone, Ruby walks me out. We stay silent until we step out onto the porch, keeping the door closed behind us.

My gaze moves to the window beside us. “Do you think your grandma is watching us through the curtain?”

She laughs and turns to look at the window too. “Probably. And thanks again for everything. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“Anytime. I’m glad I could be there to help. Now it may not be the greatest time to ask, but I’ll regret it if I don’t.”

“Mm.”

“I think it's time for us to go on a proper date. Don’t you think?”

She nibbles on her lip, before saying, “Yeah, that would be amazing.”

“Well, I'll text you later and see how you’re feeling. You seem okay…but are you, really?” I ask as I grab her upper arm, unable to resist touching her. I hold her gaze, waiting for her to answer.

She nods. “Yes. I promise I would have told you if I wasn’t. He'll be all right. He's in safe hands.”

I frown, not liking how she’s thinking of him and worried about him. I couldn’t care less about him. “Hey, don't worry about him. You worry about yourself. He scared you.”

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