CHAPTER 31
Olivia
M y dad returns with Asher just as my mom releases me and makes a beeline straight for him.
I cradle my head in my hands; I already know this gossip will be all over town tomorrow.
The others in here may not have heard that we’re having a baby, but they will know we were out for dinner to celebrate something with my parents.
What else is gossiped about will depend on what the lady sitting next to me heard.
I cast another glance at her and realize she’s come into my store in the past. Fuck.
It’s true: Everyone knows someone in Laurel Creek.
“I didn’t know when I went to get us this beer that I’d be toasting my first grandchild!” my father says to us now with a genuine, easy smile.
Asher’s eyes flit to mine in question as he sits. I plead with him silently, hoping he’ll understand the look on my face.
“Come on, Lynnie, a toast!” my dad continues. My mom is wearing the world’s biggest smile; her cheeks are flushed as she clutches the glass of red my father brought her and nudges my lemon water to me.
“A mocktail,” she whispers. Asher’s eyes never leave mine, and he’s clearly wondering what the fuck just happened.
“To expanding our family and welcoming this new baby,” my father says, raising his glass. Okay that was loud.
Asher raises his beer cautiously and smiles at them. I am settled slightly as he graciously takes a sip.
“And to the two of you falling in love,” my dad adds just as Asher is mid-drink, causing him to nearly choke on it, though he recovers quickly.
“Let’s order so we can eat. It smells delicious.” He rubs his hands together.
“And then we can go home and talk more about all the specifics over dessert!” my mother adds animatedly before turning to Asher. “And we’ll have to get to know your parents, of course!”
“Unfortunately, my parents are no longer with us,” Asher answers. “But I can say, without a doubt, that my mother would’ve loved to be a grandmother.”
There’s a truth in his eyes when he speaks of his mother that makes my chest tighten. I don’t understand his loss really—because I don’t remember my birth mother—but I can imagine how it would feel to lose the mom sitting next to me, and the thought is gut-wrenching.
“So sorry to hear that, honey. But let me be the first to say, welcome to our family.” My mother reaches her hand out to pat his. Oh shit. This is not what he signed up for.