Until Cobi (Until Her/Him #7)(44)

“Really?” She looks up at me in surprise.

“Yeah, she’s never met any of the women I’ve dated, so this is new for her too.”

“What?” Her eyes widen. “Never?”

I shrug. “Why would I introduce them to someone, when I knew it wasn’t really going anywhere?”

“Ugh.” She presses her lips together, and then her nose scrunches up. When she relaxes her lips, she announces, “I think we should probably never talk about this again.”

I hear my dad laugh and look at him.

“What?” He shrugs one shoulder. “I’m just enjoying my coffee.”

I shake my head at him then look at Hadley. “Want some coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

“Take a seat. I’ll fix you a cup.”

“Thanks.”

I give her waist a squeeze and place my lips to her temple before I let her go.

“So, Hadley, tell me about you.” Dad looks at her when she takes a seat next to him.

“Really, there’s not much to tell.” Her eyes go to him. “I grew up here. I went to college in Nashville, so I lived there for years and only recently moved back to town.”

“I didn’t know that,” I say, and her eyes meet mine.

“Yeah, I rented a small apartment there. The rent was cheap and my landlord was great. I would probably still be there, but the owners put the house on the market a few months ago. When that happened, I knew it was time to move closer to my job. It’s nice not having to commute every day, since that added another two hours onto my workday.”

“Cobi says you’re a social worker,” Mom says quietly, and Hadley nods. “That’s a noble profession, kind of like Cobi being a police officer.”

“His job is much more important than mine.” Hadley smiles at Mom then me.

“I don’t think so, baby. Most of the time, I’m dealing with adults who have already chosen their path. You’re helping kids direct theirs. Your job is one of the most important in the world, second to being a parent.” As I finish speaking, her face is softer than I’ve ever seen it and her eyes are wet.

“I’ll be right back,” Mom says quietly before disappearing around the corner toward the half bath in the hall with her head down. Dad gets up and follows, but he gives me a look, letting me know that she’ll be okay, before he goes.

“You’re a good man, Cobi.” My eyes leave my dad’s back and meet Hadley’s. “A really good man.” She leans across the counter and grabs hold of my tee with a fist at my chest. When she pulls me forward, I give in to her demand and kiss her. I know she only means to touch her mouth to mine, but I deepen the kiss and touch my tongue to hers. After she drags her mouth from mine, we stare at each other until I hear my parents coming out of the bathroom. When they emerge, I can tell my mom’s been crying. It’s not a surprise; she’s always been that way.

“Are you okay, Mrs.— I mean Liz?” Hadley asks, and Mom gives her a shaky smile.

“One thing you’ll learn pretty quickly, sweetheart, is these Mayson men know how to use their words to piss you off one minute and melt your heart the next.”

“I can see that.” Hadley grins at my mom.

“Though, the pissing you off business happens more often than the heart melting,” Mom adds.

“That so?” Dad asks, and Mom shrugs at him. “My mind must be failing me, ‘cause you didn’t seem pissed last night or this morning.”

“Oh my,” Hadley whispers.

“Trevor!” Mom snaps.

“Christ, Dad, seriously?” I growl.

“What?” Dad casually takes another sip of coffee.

“Babe, you should probably learn now that my parents do not care about PDA or anything else like that, especially my dad.”

“Sure don’t,” he agrees, giving Mom a wink.

“Can we just pretend we are a normal family for one breakfast?” Mom asks.

“Sheesh, you guys are making a bad impression on Hadley,” I tease.

“I’m okay, really. It’s nice to get a little glimpse of why Cobi is the way he is,” Hadley murmurs.

“How exactly am I?”

She tips her head to the side and answers. “Sweet, funny, affectionate, a little too honest, sometimes, okay, a lot of times, annoying.”

“Just like his dad.” Mom laughs and pats my chest. “Now, Hadley, how many pancakes do you want?”

“Three is good for me,” she answers, and I smile at her while Mom pours batter on the griddle. When my father’s eyes meet mine over the top of his cup, I know he’s happy for me. I also know he understands exactly what I’m feeling right now, because it’s what he’s felt for my mom for years.

By the time breakfast is finished and we’ve said goodbye to my parents with a promise to see them later, Hadley is completely at ease with both of them. Not that I’m surprised—my parents are easy to talk to, quick to laugh, and down to earth. Unlike a lot of kids, when me and my sister were growing up, we had no issues hanging at home with our parents, and normally our friends chose to spend their time at our place instead of at their own.

Now isn’t any different. If I have time off, I go to my parents’ place or spend time with the rest of my family, who are exactly the same. My family is close; we have always been, and I hope with time Hadley will settle in and feel what I’ve felt my whole life. A connection to people, who she knows will look out for her, protect her, and have her back when she needs it most. I want that for her more than I want anything else. I want her to know deep down to her bones that she belongs, that she can be herself, and that she has a family. Because one thing I know for certain is that at the end of the day, the unconditional love a family can bring you is what will make you stronger as an individual.