Page 25 of Intertwined Hearts

“You’re safe here with me, darling. No one is going to hurt you.” Hunter wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead.

“Let’s go, babe. Let’s just get going, please.”

“Sure thing.” He walked around and opened the passenger door. After I climbed back into the seat and got my seatbelt on, Hunter reached behind my head and pulled me to him until our lips met.

He got in, started the truck, and we talked non-stop while he drove for almost an hour before pulling into the driveway of his childhood home in Tallahassee.

Chapter 20

Hunter

“Welcome home, sweetheart,” my mom said. She had been standing in the open doorway just after I turned off the truck.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Do you need any help, dear?” Mom shouted at me. Her voice was so loud I’m sure the neighbors in the next block had to have heard her.

“No, I got it.”

She stood watching as I grabbed our bags from behind the front seats. Jackie was digging around in her purse, looking for who knew what.

“Are you ready, baby? Stop stalling.”

She smiled at me. “I’m not stalling. I was looking for, um, my favorite pen.” She held up a Bic pen with a blue cap.Favorite pen my ass.She laughed.

“Yeah, okay. Come on. The sooner you meet them, the sooner you’ll be able to relax. They won’t bite, I swear.” I shut the driver’s side door and walked around to Jackie’s side of the truck and opened her door.

“I’ve never met a boyfriend’s parents before.”

“You’ll be fine. Come on.” I gave her a quick peck on the lips, then held out my hand to help her out.

She squeezed my hand tight as we got closer to the front porch. I knew she was nervous, but she really didn’t need to be. We’d planned to stay for four days, but could leave sooner, if we needed to.

I gave my mom a big hug. It had been several months since I’d seen her.

“Mom, this is Jackie, my girlfriend. Jackie, this is my mom, Debbie. I know you’ve talked on the phone.”

They exchanged hellos, and fumbled awkwardly trying to decide if they should shake hands or hug each other. They finally hugged.

“Come on in. Let’s get you both settled. Are you hungry? I have leftovers in the refrigerator, or I can make you something to eat. Of course, you can cook if you’d prefer, but I really don’t mind cooking for you both. How was the trip? Did you run into traffic?”

“Mom, slow down. We’ll be here for four days. The drive was fine. There was a little traffic, but not bad. Let me go put our things in my room, then I’ll figure out what to eat.”

“Okay, dear. Jackie, can I get you a cup of coffee?”

“I’m fine, thank you. I’ll go help Hunter and be right back.”

Jackie rushed up behind me and stepped into the back of my feet.

“Sorry,” she said.

After we got in my room, I turned to her and pulled her into my arms. “I don’t know who’s more nervous, my mom or you.” I showered her with quick kisses down her forehead, down the bridge of her nose, and landed on her mouth.

“Just so you know, my mom won’t be happy until we eat something. Are you hungry?”

“I am, a little.”

“Let’s go see what she has for leftovers so she doesn’t have to cook. Sound good?”

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