Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
“What about structure and rules and consistency? What will happen to all of that if you and Harley don’t work out? She’s young.”
“She’s twenty-eight. Last I checked that’s considered a full-blown adult.”
“She’s almost a decade younger than you.”
I cross my arms. “My parents are a decade apart, and they worked out just fine.”
“You know boys mature slower than the girls. I’m still trying to catch up to you, Kay-kay,” Kyle says with a smile.
“You’re not helping,” she snaps at her husband then turns back to me. “Those were different times, and she is at a very different place in her life than you are.”
“How do you know? You haven’t even talked to her to be able to make that assessment.”
Before Karen can respond, my parents return from the bathroom.
My mother looks between me and Karen, probably picking up on the hostility. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine.” Karen smiles, but it’s just as stiff as my posture.
“We should get Peyton and all go out for lunch. I’m starved.” My dad pops a brownie into his mouth. The man has an endless sweet tooth that’s rarely satisfied.
“You’ll ruin your appetite if you eat any more of those,” my mother says, her tone disapproving, but she smiles and rolls her eyes.
“They’re one-bite brownies. They’re not going to ruin anything, dear.” He gives her a cheeky smile before he turns back to me. “You can fill me in on how things are going with the park project over lunch.”
“For sure. There are a few things I’d like to pick your brain on.”
“I peeked at the most recent blueprints, and it looks great, but I’m always happy to give you feedback.”
Peyton and Harley return, and my dad, who is completely oblivious to the tension between Harley and Karen, invites her out for lunch with us. Which makes sense, she’s often invited for meals. Sometimes, when I’m working late on a project, she’ll pick up Peyton and my parents will invite her to stay for dinner. They adore her. Which makes Karen’s animosity toward her that much more obvious and glaring.
Of course, I want Harley to join us, but I’m also aware of how uncomfortable this has to be for her. And navigating Karen isn’t easy.
“You have to come with us!” Peyton holds onto Harley’s arm while she jumps up and down. “Daddy, can we go to Chuck E. Cheese again?”
“Chuck E. Cheese? Is that the horrible place with all the games inside the restaurant? That’s a breeding ground for sickness and germs. Why would you even entertain taking Peyton there?” Karen’s lip curls with disdain.
“Because it’s fun. And because Peyton is a kid, and she has the immune system of a superhero since she’s surrounded by germs all day, every day.” Harley motions to the school.
I don’t know whether to high-five her or put my hand over her mouth so she can’t say anything else that’s offensive to my easily offended mother-in-law. Instead, I divert the conversation. “Maybe we should save Chuck E. Cheese for another day. It’s pretty busy in there, and we want to have time with Granny and Grandpa, since they don’t get to see you as much as they used to.”
We finally agree on a place to eat after Karen shoots down three more options, and I call ahead to make a reservation for the seven of us. We head out to the parking lot, and of course, because Peyton is a kid and because Harley is fun and she loves her, she asks if she can ride with Harley.
“I need company in the back seat, honey. We’ll see Harley at the restaurant.” Karen puts her arm around Peyton’s shoulder and guides her toward my SUV. Peyton glances over her shoulder to Harley, who, thankfully gives her a wave and a wink.
When they’re out of earshot, she turns to me, adjusting the strap of her purse. “Should I even come?”
I tuck a hand in my pocket. “Of course, you should. I’ll talk to Karen.”
“In front of Peyton?”
“I’ll remind her to be on her best behavior.” I know I need to deal with this, but putting my mother-in-law in her place in front of my parents and her granddaughter isn’t ideal. “Please, Harley, Peyton will be disappointed if you don’t come and so will I.”
“Are you seriously giving me puppy-dog eyes right now?” She arches a brow at me.
“Is it working?” I take her hand in mine and pull her closer, bringing her knuckles to my lips.
She laughs and shakes her head. “Fine. I’ll come. But I’m only taking one for the team because of Peyton.”
“Not me?”
“You’re a big boy, you can handle a family lunch without a sidekick. I won’t disappoint Peyton.” She pushes up on her toes and drops a kiss on the edge of my jaw. “I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”