What Happens Tomorrow (14 page)

I LOVE WAKING up to the Southern California sunshine in the morning. I decide it might be a good idea to take Charlie and my morning mug of steaming goodness outside for a little sun before the day gets too hot. As my little man happily runs and sniffs around the penned pet area, I sip my deliciously creamy latte and open my tablet to start the hottest book of the decade.

What is it about men in suits?

Jenna told me I had to read this book or we couldn’t be friends anymore. The woman has a talent when it comes to recommending hot books. She informed me I’d need a cold shower after reading this one unless Tyler and I were.…

Completely lost in my thoughts, something, or should I say
someone
, unexpectedly brushes up against my back and scares the holy crap out of me. I angrily turn around to see him behind me laughing at my expense.

“Holy shit, Tyler! You nearly gave me a heart attack, you jerk!” I smack him on the arm.

“That good of a book, huh?” He snorts, proud of himself for making me jump. “I saw you out here as I was leaving for work, so I couldn’t resist coming over for a little inspiration to get me through the day. The jump was a little added bonus.” Playfully smiling from ear to ear he leans down, his lips nearly touching mine, but I pull away. Two can play at this game.

“You honestly think that I want to kiss you now?”

“Oh, I know you do, sweetheart,” he says with a devilish wink. Before I can protest, he pulls me out of my seat into his arms, securely holding me against his chest. I breathe in the smell of his cologne—musky, manly and so Tyler.

Before I can playfully protest any further his lips cover mine.

Slow.

Sensual.

When he gently sucks on my bottom lip, I lose control and release a sexy moan into his mouth. He pulls back a fraction and I watch him through hooded eyes as his hand lovingly caresses the side of my face. He never takes his eyes off mine.

“Sorry I scared you.” He leans in to kiss the tip of my nose. “I honestly didn’t mean to startle you.”

I wrap my arms around his neck, placing a reverent kiss on his slightly stubbled cheek. “You’re forgiven … this time. But so you know, do it again and I can’t promise that something won’t happen to you while you’re sleeping,” I say with a wink as he laughs. I love watching his eyes light up when he smiles. It melts my heart.

“My mom wants to know if we’re available to make it for dinner tonight? She understands that it’s last minute but hopes we can make it.”

I’ve met his parents a few times when they’d been over to his place, but both times were very brief and while we were only friends. I’m not ashamed to admit that the thought of seeing his parents again, now that we’re dating, has me feeling a little anxious.

“Um, sure, that would be nice.” I chew on my thumb nail.

“Everything okay?”

“Uh-huh. Why do you ask?”

“Well, let’s see…the only time you chew on your nails is when you’re upset or nervous.”

Damn. He caught that. I sometimes forget how well he knows me and my quirks.

“It’s just the last time I saw your parents I was only your friend, your neighbor, but now that we're dating? I guess…well, what if they…if they...”

His eyes darken as his lips pull into a hard line. “Do we really have to go through this again?” He takes my hand in his and I look up into his eyes, lost in his eyes as though I’m completely under his spell. “They’ll love you just like I do. Now, will you please stop worrying?”

My arms wrap around his waist as I rest my head against it’s most favorite place. The intimate sound of his beating heart relaxes me. He quickly kisses the tip of my nose as he loosens his hold on me. Instantly, my body fills with disappointment. I realize he has to leave for work, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“I wish I could stay here with you today, but I have to get to the office. I have a crazy day filled with nonstop meetings, but I promise, we can continue this tonight.”

I hate being apart. I sometimes wonder if maybe I’m becoming too dependent, relying solely on Tyler to keep me feeling happy.

“Hey, look at me,” he gently commands. Slowly, I oblige as I feel the hint of a tear in my eye. “Hey, what’s this about? Tell me what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours.”

Trying not to sound like some needy girlfriend, I tell him. “I’m sad you’re leaving, that’s all. I’ll be okay. You don’t need to worry…promise. Now go to work. I’ll be ready when you get home tonight.” I force a smile on my face. I don’t want him to worry about me all day.

“I do worry, I’ll always worry, but if you say you’re okay, I believe you.” He leans in and kisses me sweetly. “All right, I really am going now if you’re sure you’re okay.” I nod. “Then I’ll leave you to your smutty book.”

What? How did he know?

ARRIVING AT TYLER’S parents’ house, I’m completely pent up with anxiety. I feel as though I’m about to crawl out of my skin. Who knew that meeting your boyfriend’s parents at thirty-two would make you as nervous as it did when you were a teenager.

The house is beautiful—a taupe colored, spanish stucco style home. Tyler’s parents aren’t rich, but they do very well for themselves. We walk towards the front door, his hand on my lower back as he guides me up the pathway.

“If I haven’t already told you, you look beautiful tonight. You know, you’re the first girlfriend I’ve ever brought home to meet my parents.”

I stop dead in my tracks, turning to look at him. “Wait a minute. Are you telling me you’ve
never
brought a girl home to meet your parents before? Like never?” I place a hand against his chest.

No pressure here!

Now I feel like an experiment.

“Why are you worried? You’ve met my parents before and you got along fine. It’ll be good, you’ll see.”

“Oh, you owe me, mister,” I inform him as I poke him in the chest. He rolls his eyes, laughing at me. Before I can finish reading him the riot act, the front door opens and out walks Kelly, Tyler’s mom.

“Tyler, Brooke, I’m so happy you were able to make it on such short notice.” She pulls Tyler into an all consuming hug, then pulls back to cup his face and kiss his cheeks. She wraps her arms around me, then releases me from our embrace. I take a moment to really look at her. They share the same dark, sandy-blonde hair and those hypnotic, ice-blue eyes. Not to mention Tyler has the male version of her nose.

“Thank you for asking us, Mrs. Reynolds.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Kelly. Please, Brooke, call me Kelly.” Wrapping her arm around my waist, she leads me into the house with Tyler by my side. I look over at him and he winks approvingly at me.

How is it with such a simple gesture he can take all of my anxiety away?

“Come on in you two, dinner won’t be very long. Ty, why don’t you see if Dad needs some help with the steaks. Brooke honey, would you mind helping me put everything out on the table?”

He leans over to kiss the side of my head and softly whispers in my ear, “You okay with this?”

I playfully elbow him in the rib. “Go,”I say reassuringly.

He heads out back to see his dad while Kelly and I make our way into the kitchen. If I was ever going to design a kitchen this is exactly how I would want it. Gorgeous dark mahogany cabinets accentuated by light brown marble counters. A subzero refrigerator with the faux front that matches the cabinets so well I don’t know it’s there until Kelly opens the door to take something out. In the center of the kitchen is a large square island with tall, dark bar stools surrounded by chairs. But my favorite part of the kitchen is the six burner, professional grade gas stove. I used to love to cook, but when you’re one person there’s really no point. I can only imagine what it would be like to cook on that.

“Your kitchen is amazing, M-Kelly,” I compliment as she removes the salad from the refrigerator.

“Oh, thank you. It took me a lot to convince Rob, but as always…” She pauses for a moment and flashes a wicked grin as she whispers, “I won.” She winks as I stifle my laugh. Oh my god…I think I’m in love with Tyler’s mom.

We finish taking everything out to the table then walk out to the deck where Tyler and his dad are taking the steaks off the barbecue. He walks over to me and wraps his arms around my waist, making me feel a little uncomfortable. I don’t know his parents that well, and I don’t want them to get the wrong idea about me.

“Hi, Brooke. It’s nice to see you again.” Rob is a handsome man with thick dark hair and smoldering dark eyes. Ty doesn’t look like his dad except for the muscular build. You can tell that he works out regularly.

“Thank you for having me, Mr. Reynolds.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I look at Kelly who regards me with a knowing look.

“Brooke, we’re all grownups, honey. Please, it’s Kelly and Rob, sweetheart.” I nod.

“Steaks are done, guys. Let’s go in and eat before they get cold.”

Tyler grabs my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, as we head into his parents’ dining room.

DINNER IS AMAZING. The food is fabulous and we have some good laughs at the stories Kelly tells of Tyler and his brother Ethan when they were boys. Tyler seems a little tense during the conversation which has me curious. I do find it a little strange how Tyler has never talked about his brother before. Ethan was supposed to come to dinner tonight, but he had to work. Apparently he’s a lawyer for some fancy firm downtown.

I talk about my parents and how much I miss them and Seattle, but I never talk about the “other” reasons I miss Seattle. That conversation can wait for another time.

After finishing dessert, we pour coffees. Kelly politely excuses herself from the table. “If you’ll excuse me for a few minutes, I want to get these dishes into the dishwasher.”

“I’ll help you with that, Kelly,” I ask, motioning to stand, but she stops me.

“Don’t be silly, dear. You’re a guest. You relax and finish your dessert, I’m fine.”

Tyler stands, placing the napkin from his lap on the table. “Here, Mom, I’m done. Let me help you.” They both disappear into the kitchen leaving Rob and I to make small talk. Rob stands up and removes his cigarettes from his pocket. I know he’s headed out to the deck because Kelly won’t allow him to indulge in his guilty pleasure in the house.

“I’ll take these into the kitchen while you go outside.”

“Thanks, Brooke. You know, my son’s really happy these days, and I’m pretty sure it’s all thanks to you. You be sure to let me know if he steps out of line, okay? I’ll kick his ass.” He pats my shoulder as he walks past.

Picking up the plates and cups from the table, I walk towards the kitchen but stop dead in my tracks when I hear what sounds like a heated argument. I hate to listen to their conversation, but it’s loud and I’m standing right here.

“I’m just worried that she won’t be able to give you what you need, darling, that’s all. Don’t get me wrong, Tyler, I think Brooke’s a lovely girl, and I feel terrible that she’s had to endure all that she’s gone through, but the truth of the matter is that she’s a thirty-two year old widow who lost her child. What happens when you want to get married and have children, hmmm? Have you thought of that? Because I haven’t been able to think of anything else since you told me last week. I’m only thinking about your happiness, my sweetheart.”