Ha, if only that were the truth.
“I appreciate your honesty,” Dad says. “And since we’re being honest with each other, I’ll say, I was quite surprised to hear Penny was pregnant, for obvious reasons, but I was wary when I found out it was with you.”
“Dad,” I say out of embarrassment.
Eli squeezes my hand. “It’s okay. Your dad is just telling us how he feels. And given my reputation, I don’t blame him.”
“But I’m glad we had this dinner,” Dad continues, “because I can see that you really have made all the right choices, Eli, the kind of choices that puts a father’s mind at ease. Now, do I wish this was all coming about under different circumstances, just to ensure that Penny’s life will be easier? Of course, but I do believe you’re making the most of the situation, and I truly appreciate that.”
“Thank you,” Eli says. “And I promise you, Joseph, you have nothing to worry about. I’ll make sure Penny and the baby are the priority.”
Dad gives him a curt nod before he dips his spoon into his ice cream bowl.
“Well.” Mom claps her hands together. “Does this mean we’ll get to see you for the holidays? I sure hope so. We always say in the Lawes household, the more, the merrier.”
“If I’m welcome, I’ll be there.”
Mom smiles sincerely. “Eli, you are the father of our grandchild, our first grandchild. You will always be welcome.”
“That means a lot to me,” Eli says, and then he digs into his ice cream right before looking over at me and smiling. The boyish charm in his eyes, paired with the gratefulness in his grin, all hits me like a Mack truck to the chest, knocking away my breath.
I press my hand to my stomach and say, “I, uh, I think I’m pretty full. I’ll get started on the dishes.”
I stand from my chair, and so does Eli, still holding my hand. “You okay?” he asks.
“Mm-hmm,” I answer. “Good. Enjoy. Tell my dad about your fight with Gasper. I’m sure he’d enjoy that.”
“Oh yes, I tried to sneak details from Pacey, but he was close-lipped. Tell me, did you get him good?”
Eli chuckles, and as he sits back down—after one more thoughtful squeeze to my hand—I bring my bowl to the kitchen as Mom follows me. I stand at the sink, staring at my dad animatedly talking to Eli as Mom stands right next to me.
“Honey, I can see it all over your face. You like him.”
“I do,” I say quietly and then turn away. “But he doesn’t like me like that.”
“I beg to differ. There’s more than friendship between the two of you, and I think you need to figure out just exactly what that is.”
“Mom—”
“Penny, look at me.” I turn toward her, and she grips my chin. “There is something there. Despite what you might have said to each other, there is more, and you would be doing your baby a disservice if you don’t figure out what it is.” When tears start to well in my eyes, she softly says, “I’ve never seen someone look at you so intently, the way he looks at you. He speaks so honestly, so sincerely, about and to you. Reminds me of how Pacey looks at Winnie, if I’m honest. Give Eli a chance, give you a chance, and at least see if anything is there.”
I smooth my lips together and glance away.
“You won’t regret it.”
Just then, Dad and Eli erupt in laughter, and when I look over my shoulder at them, Eli has the largest grin on his face, a smile so wide that it stretches all the way to his eyes.
What would it be like if I gave us a chance? If I told him how I felt, how I’ve been feeling?
What’s the worst that could happen?
He could reject me. That’s the worst that could happen.
But what would happen if he said he felt the same way . . .
That’s the question that’s burning a hole in my twisted-up stomach.
What if he feels the same way . . .
Eli clicks the door shut and locks up before turning to me. Cutely, he pulls on the back of his neck and says, “I think they like me.”
I chuckle and nod. “Oh yeah, they’re pretty much in love. I’d say it was a successful dinner on your end.”
“I think so too. And hey, thanks for doing the dishes, you didn’t have to do that. I planned on doing them after your parents left.”
“It was good for you and my dad to have some talking time together. I didn’t mind.”
“I appreciate it. I really like your dad. I mean, I’ve known him through Pacey, but I’ve felt that made us more mates, than anything. It didn’t give us a father and son relationship. This might be stupid to say, but he kind of encompasses what I think a dad should be—tough but loving. And the way he called me son . . .” He smiles softly. “Hell, it felt good, Penny. It felt really good. Thank you for tonight.”