I don’t miss the fact that she flinches. And I hate that.
“Your parents are on their way here.”
Her eyes go wide. “You spoke to them?”
I nod.
“What did you say?”
“The truth. That we’re married. That you’re in the hospital. Well, minus the fact that my brother tried to kill you. I said it was an accident.”
She blinks at me and then looks at Wyatt. Then back to me. “Here? They’re coming here?”
“Yes, baby. Any minute.”
She frowns. “But, his party was last night?”
I grab her hand gently. “Your dad cares a lot more than he lets on, firefly. I could hear it in his voice. Maybe give them a chance to prove themselves again.”
She sucks in a shaky breath just as there is a knock on the door. “I look like a complete wreck!”
There is clear panic that she isn’t good enough. They won’t accept her like this.
“Lola, you look gorgeous even in a hospital bed.” I lean over and kiss her cheek.
“Now, it’s about time I met my in-laws and made them fall in love with me,” I say against her skin.
She giggles. “Good luck.”
I pull back and wink. “Trust me. We will be fine.”
I open up the door, and Lola’s mom bursts into tears. Richard doesn’t say a word. Lola waves at them awkwardly, pulling Wyatt closer in her arms.
“I’m sorry, Lola. I’m sorry.” Her mom sobs.
Lola looks absolutely clueless about how to deal with that.
“My wife is a bit… dramatic,” Richard tells me.
And then he turns to me, offering his hand. I shake it firmly.
“Good to meet you, Hunter,” he says.
“And you, Richard.”
Lola’s eyes meet her father's, and his breath hitches. I clap my hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you tell her what you told me?” I say quietly.
He nods and heads over. I keep to the side, letting her have this moment, as she tells them she’s married, and she introduces them to Wyatt.
They seem to love him as he tells them all about Gary the goat and Penny, his horse.
I just sit back and smile. When Lola’s gaze finds mine, my heart jumps.
Thank you, she mouths.
I blow her a kiss. Because this is just the start. I’m going to give her everything her heart desires.
That big wedding with all of our friends and family.