That Second Chance (Getting Lucky #1)(81)

“Does this have to do with Ren?” Reid asks. “I heard her parents came into town.”

What? How would he know that?

“Where the hell did you hear that from?”

“Mr. Hopkins from across the street told me this morning. I’d just gotten in from the camping trip and was walking over here when he intercepted me. Said he saw a moving truck and two older people outside of Ren’s house last night. He also said he saw you enter her house and leave out the back door.”

Christ. I really hope Mr. Hopkins was asleep when I walked past his house with a blanket last night, and when I walked back early in the morning—and when I say early, I mean two in the morning.

After Ren and I had sex, we curled into the blanket and held each other, talking about everything from our childhoods to the crazy people in town. We laughed, we teased each other, and we partook in two more rounds of sex before we decided to make our way back to our respective houses.

It’s one of the best nights I’ve ever had. So sue me for having a gigantic smile on my face.

“So do you have something to admit to me?” Reid stands close, staring me down, looking for answers, but I keep my mouth shut, knowing I’ll drive him crazy.

That’s until Ren walks through the doors of the Lobster Landing wearing a yellow dress that wraps around her waist, her hair loosely hanging over her shoulders in waves. Without a second thought, I’m walking toward her, past a few customers, and straight into her arms. I tip her chin up and gently press a kiss against her lips.

When I pull away, all I can see is the spark in her eyes and the flash of her smile. “Hey, you.”

“Hey,” she shyly replies, gripping my sides for support.

Someone behind her clears their throat, causing me to peel my eyes away and focus on the two people standing directly behind her. A man with a thick mustache and cowboy hat eyes me with suspicion as the woman beside him, who looks like an older version of Ren, gleefully sighs.

Shit, her parents.

I was so focused on Ren that I never even saw them.

Ren spins in my arms and backs up into my chest. I press my hand to her hip and smile at her parents.

“Mom, Dad, this is Griffin Knightly. Griffin, these are my parents, Gloria and Harry.”

I lean forward and shake both of their hands. “Mr. and Mrs. Winters, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Would you like to sit down? I can grab a sample plate to share and some drinks.”

“That would be lovely,” her mom says, and her dad’s eyes light up when he takes in all the fudge and goodies behind me.

The man seems to have a sweet tooth like his daughter. Thankfully, I can make one hell of a sample plate for him.

“Right this way.” I take Ren’s hand in mine and ignore the blatant staring from Jen, her mouth hanging open. The sneaky pictures Reid is taking don’t go unnoticed either. I know he’s seconds away from texting pictures to the whole family.

I get Ren and her parents settled at one of the café tables we have set up and head to the counter, where I start putting together a sample plate of fudge and bakery items, Reid hovering over my shoulder.

“Got yourself a girlfriend, do ya? Meeting the parents?”

“Back off, Reid.” I take a piece of each flavor of fudge we have and spread them across a plate.

“You kissed her in front of everyone.”

“Well aware of what I did.”

“But . . . but . . .”

I stand up straight and turn to face him. “But what?”

And in that moment, I see a change in Reid. Instead of being the annoying little brother constantly nagging at me, he actually looks pleased, happy. “Dude, you’re living your life. Finally.” He clasps my shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”

Thankfully we don’t have a lot of customers right now, or else this would be really awkward. I lower my voice. “I couldn’t stay away. I like her too damn much.”

“And there’s no reason for you to stay away.”

I bite my bottom lip and stare down at the fudge. “You think I’m good? That she’ll be okay?”

“Dude, are you seriously worried about that?”

“Yeah, sort of. It’s in the back of my mind.” I go to the baked goods and start cutting up small portions of scones and cookies for the second sample plate.

“Do you need help?” Ren asks, coming up behind me, ending all conversation with Reid.

“I think I’ve—”

“Ren, you finally got this guy to admit to his feelings,” Reid says, nudging me with his elbow. And here I thought Reid had suddenly matured. Guess that was short lived.

Being the good sport that she is, Ren smiles. “I had to wear him down at some point, right?”

“It was the camping trip, wasn’t it?”

She shakes her head. “No, it was the dancing in the street.” Her voice softens, and she leans up and presses a quick kiss against my cheek before taking the fudge plate and making her way back to her parents.

Fuck, I’m a goner where she’s concerned.

“Dancing in the street?” Reid asks just as Jen steps up next to us and begins bagging up scones for a customer.

“Yeah, dancing in the street? What’s that about?” Jen asks, taking her time.

I finish up my sample plate and set down a pair of tongs. “Nothing you two need to worry about.”