Page 169 of Seven
"Am not."
"You're definitely clenching. Look." I reached over and squeezed his forearm. The muscles were like steel cables. "Relax."
He exhaled, and I watched his shoulders drop half an inch.
"Aren't people usually stressed when they're about to meet their partner's parent?" he asked all of a sudden.
"Most of the time. Yes," I agreed. "But I think you're going too fast about this."
"About what?"
"Getting out there. Mixing with people."
"I'm on vacation, remember?" he replied. The corner of his lips curled up a little. It wasn't a full smile, but it was a good try for someone who had just come out into the world after years of hiding.
We didn't talk for a while after that. There was nothing to say. The city fell away behind us, and then it was just the glitter of the vehicles and streaks of palm trees behind the freeway wall.
There was no need for a conversation. Both of us seemed satisfied just being together. Words weren't necessary to know how we felt about each other. We'd said it already. What was the point of repeating it?
My phone buzzed with a text from Margaret.
Landing on time. See you at baggage claim!
Milo threw a brief glance in my direction and immediately returned his attention to the road.
"Mom," I explained. "About to land."
"Okay."
"She's going to want to talk your ear off," I warned him for the millionth time.
"I can handle it."
"You say that now, but you haven't met her. She can get information out of a brick wall."
He shrugged. "Good thing I'm not a wall."
"Is that a joke?"
"You don't like it?"
I looked at him sidelong. For all his darkness, he was, in fact, beautiful.
I made a mental note to never tell him that again. He didn't need to develop an ego like the rest of the men I knew.
A beat of silence, then I asked, "Are you sure you're not nervous?"
"No."
"Not sure or not nervous?"
"I'm okay."
"Liar."
He didn't respond, but the right corner of his mouth ticked up again for half a second before going neutral.
My phone buzzed. This was Katrina.
