Chapter 32 Lucy
THIRTY-TWO
Lucy
By the time Miles gets back to the tent with our bags of stuff, I’ve come to the sad realization that nothing is going to fit in it besides Miles and me.
Whatever configuration we do, it doesn’t matter. This tent is barely big enough for a mouse.
Miles drops our bags next to the tent, laughs, and stares at it with the same concern that I do.
“I hope you don’t mind that snuggle I mentioned because, honestly, our sleeping bags are going to practically be on top of each other,” I say as I choke on a laugh.
Miles frowns. “I’m really sorry about this. I really did want you to have fun on this camping trip.”
“Maybe I could string up a hammock somewhere else,” I suggest, raising my eyebrows.
“That wouldn’t be a red flag for my grandma.”
“No, good point. She’d probably set us up for marital counseling if I did that.”
Miles still looks concerned.
“It’s totally fine,” I say again. “We’ve slept in the same bed before.”
Miles shifts, and I get the idea that he’s even more uncomfortable about this situation than I am, which is really saying something.
We’ve done this to ourselves. We signed up for this.
It’s our own fault that we didn’t think of all the ramifications that would come with pretending to be a married couple.
“It’s fine. It’s not like we’re going to be spending a solid few days here. We’re just sleeping in here.”
“Oh, there you are!” a voice calls out.
I turn around and see someone walking toward us. I don’t recognize him. I’ve never met him. But as he gets closer, I realize…it’s Miles in thirty years.
“You didn’t bring your wife to meet me right away?” he practically yells, but he’s got a big grin on his face and a big, booming voice.
Miles slings an arm around my shoulders. “This is my dad, Andrew,” he says.
Andrew stops in front of me. “I’d be mad at missing the wedding, except Lillian and I eloped. It was the best decision we ever made. So, I’m proud of you guys for knowing what you wanted and going for it.”
And with that, he grabs my arms, pulls me out from under Miles, and wraps me in a big hug.
“Welcome to the family!”
I’m just smothered in this big bear of a man, who’s now my father-in-law.
“Thank you,” I manage. “I’ve been so excited to meet you all. Thank you for having me this weekend.”
He laughs and lets me go. “Well, if you hadn’t come, we probably would’ve all shown up in Miles’s backyard. Camped there. I don’t think our curiosity could take it anymore.”
“Well, here I am to dash all your hopes and dreams,” I say with a grin.
He just chuckles. “No, I don’t think so. I think you’ll fit right in. I’m just sorry I couldn’t get home sooner.”
Miles looks down at me. “Remember how I told you about Dad pitching the line to the company in Italy?”
“Oh, that’s right. You did say that the other night.” Actually, he was filling me in on all the family trivia on the drive over here, but I can’t exactly say that to my father-in-law.
“Otherwise, I would have been on that FaceTime call when you told your mom,” Andrew says with a laugh.
“Well, it’s great to meet you finally.”
“I hope you know you’re always welcome at our house. Anytime. If this guy does something stupid”—he grins good-naturedly at Miles—“you just come on over, and we’ll straighten him out for you.”
Lillian walks over just then and rests a hand on Andrew’s arm. “Honey, we’re having a hard time getting the grill going. Would you mind helping Ainsley figure it out?”
“Sure thing.” He presses a quick kiss to her cheek and walks toward the picnic tables.
“I hope you don’t mind that I put your wedding present in the tent already,” Lillian says with an eager smile.
“Wedding present?” I squeak out.
She nods, and Miles is the only one brave enough to glance inside the tent.
He clears his throat. “A double sleeping bag? Mom, you shouldn’t have.”
She laughs. “Of course I should! I know you haven’t had time to get new camping gear since getting married, and I wanted you to be comfortable.”
“You really shouldn’t have,” Miles says dryly.
“You know I love giving gifts,” Lillian replies, not picking up on his sarcasm.
I stand there, staring at the double sleeping bag that’s lying on top of one of the queen air mattresses that Miles had packed. He had assured me that his big tent could have fit three queen mattresses in it, so we would each have plenty of room. And now we’re having to share one.
“Wow,” I manage to squeak out. “That’s so nice of you.”
She smiles back and lays a hand on my arm. “We just really want you to have a good camping experience. Miles told me that you haven’t been before, and I want you to have a lot of fun,” she says with an eyebrow waggle.
I summon up my brightest grin that makes my dimples pop.
How can I tell this sweet lady that nothing could make me more miserable than having to climb into the same sleeping bag as Miles?
How could I tell her that I don’t trust myself in close proximity to my husband because I find him so attractive?
She’d laugh her head off. She’s trying to be so sweet and caring, and here I am, hyperventilating.
“I’m just so excited to meet you all and get to enjoy this weekend with you. I really appreciate you welcoming me.”
“Well, everyone should be getting here tomorrow, so tonight, you’ll get to hang out with a smaller group of us. Hopefully, it won’t be as overwhelming. We can sometimes be…” She pauses and looks at Miles, waiting for him to fill in the blank.
He chuckles. “A bit much?”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” I say.
She pats my shoulder. “I’m glad you think so. We’ll try our best not to scare you away.”
She turns and walks away, and Miles looks me up and down. Something in his eyes softens.
“Thank you for being so kind to my family.”
I nod. “Are you nervous about when they find out the truth?”
He takes a step closer, and my whole body stands at attention.
He looks down at me and says, “Who says they ever need to know the truth?”
Something tightens in my chest at those words. Like maybe I’m hopeful that our marriage could be real. Which is just ridiculous. It’s just Miles being Miles and flirting and having fun. It’s not like he actually wants this to be real. He’s just making conversation.
I clear my throat and try to laugh. It sounds like a squeaky mouse.
Miles takes a step back and quirks his lips up on one side. “Let’s go eat dinner. It’s Ainsley’s night to cook, which means we’re probably having hot dogs.”
“Did we bring things to cook with?” I ask in a panic.
We packed the food, but I don’t remember throwing any pans or utensils in the boxes we brought.
I was so focused on making sure I had enough warm clothing that I didn’t even bother to think about what we were supposed to cook the food with while we slept in the wilderness.
“Mom always brings all the cooking utensils, so she brought everything we’ll need.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” I sigh.
“Ready to face the wolves?” He bumps his shoulder against mine.
“After you, Bambi.”