Sawyer gripped Ellis’s knee. “Spill.”
“His name is Brantley, I met him about six months ago, and we have a couple of classes together,” Ellis rattled off in a huff, staring down at her strappy flats.
Annie gasped. “Six months! You waited six months to tell us about him? What about all the times I’ve gone there to visit?”
Ellis covered her eyes. “I didn’t want you to not like him and then me feel like I had to end things when they are just so good.”
“Does he treat you well?” Harper asked.
Ellis nodded as a grin quickly spread across her face. “So well.”
“Do you love him?” she asked.
Ellis nodded faster.
“Then we approve. You’re young and in college, and being in love is a wonderful part of the growing-up experience,” Annie cooed, taking her daughter’s hand in hers.
“You don’t think I’m crazy?” Ellis whispered.
Annie shook her head gently. “I could never think that. How could I when your father and I got married when I was barely older than you are now? Everyone thought I was crazy, way too young, and rushing into the marriage too quickly, but look at all the love we shared. If I had been worried about what everyone thought about it, I would have missed out on some of the best years of my life. I also would have missed out on being a part of your life, and that is something I wouldn’t trade for all the king’s horses.”
There wasn’t a dry eye in that room as we watched Annie and Ellis hug.
“I love you,” Ellis blubbered.
“We all love you,” Sawyer murmured, sniffling as the rest of us joined in for an epic group hug.