Page 93 of Sweet Dreams

I hit send. Fucking hell. Why am I so nervous?

"There," I say, holding the phone up so Ma can see the screen. "I sent it."

"Good," Ma beams, clapping her hands together happily before turning toward the door. "Now, I must go shopping. If he says yes, I have a lot of chopping to do. Come along, Lena."

Lena follows, giving me a sly wink as she leaves.

My phone vibrates in my palm as the screen door slams shut behind them. I glance down, my chest tightening with anticipation and nerves.

Avery’s reply pops up on the screen.

Avery: Tell your mom I would love to. I'll bring something from the bakery. And Gid? I can't wait!!!

I reply quickly and lock the phone screen, shoving it back into my pocket. A wild, unstoppable smile spreads across my face.

Chapter eleven

Avery

My hands are shaking so badly that I can barely keep my grip on the steering wheel of my truck. I pull up the gravel driveway of Honey Meets Pandesal, the tires crunching loudly. The main house sits at the front of the property, with a massive wrap-around porch. It’s a beautiful, classic farmhouse, surrounded by blooming bushes and towering oak trees. As I peer up at the house, I wonder just how much land Gideon and his family own.

I put the car in park and take a deep breath. Yup… still fucking terrified. I don’t think I’ve met anyone’s parents before. Not like this. Not with someone I’m developing feelings for.

I spent the entire afternoon at the boutique pacing the studio floor, stressing over what to wear and what to bring. I remember reading an article back in Olivia Cove about etiquette in various Asian cultures, emphasizing that you should never arrive empty-handed when invited into someone's home. I mean, there’s a good chance Angela might be my future mother-in-law. I freeze. Wait. Did that thought really just come to mind?

Regardless, I wanted to put my best foot forward, so instead of a standard bottle of wine, I spent my lunch break rushing over to Don’t Go Bakin’ My Heart and picking out a cake, before realizing it might not be enough. I then spent the next twenty minutes putting together two very specific, thoughtful gifts.

For Gideon’s mother, I picked out a luxurious, ultra-soft mulberry silk scarf from Beauty and the Boutique in a deep, elegant emerald-green that I knew would look stunning against tan skin. For his sister, Lena, I grabbed a pair of trendy, locally sourced geometric brass earrings from our jewelry display. Both are beautifully wrapped in crisp white paper with gold embossed ribbon.

I grab the gift bags from the passenger seat, check my reflection in the rearview mirror one last time to ensure my silk shirt is sitting right, and step out into the warm heat.

Before I can even reach the top step of the porch, the heavy wooden front door flies open.

Gideon steps out onto the landing. He’s wearing a clean charcoal-gray shirt that makes his broad shoulders look completely massive, but his usual calm, untouchable expression is completely gone. His jaw is tight, his dark brown eyes are wide with anxiety. I almost giggle, he looks just as terrified as I am.

The moment I step close enough, the thick, mouth-watering aroma of savory soy sauce, chicken, garlic, and I’m assuming bay leaves hits my nose. My stomach lets out a loud, traitorous grumble.

Gideon lets out a relieved sigh, his eyes scanning my face before helping me with the boxed cake. "Hey," he says, placing a quick kiss on my cheek. "You made it."

"Sure did." I smile, stepping onto the porch. "Something smells absolutely incredible, Gid."

"Ma has been cooking since eight this morning," Gideon mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. "She’s... she's excited. Don't let her overwhelm you, okay? If she gets too loud, just tell me and I'll—"

"Gideon! Move your body out of the doorway, you are blocking the boy!"

A tiny, vibrant force of nature suddenly appears from behind Gideon’s hip. Angela stands at a proud five feet tall, looking blindingly beautiful in a colorful floral blouse, her black bob perfectly in place. Right behind her is Lena, sporting a mischievous grin.

Before I can even open my mouth to introduce myself, Angela rushes forward. She bypasses her son completely, reaching up to throw her arms around my neck in a tight, fiercely warm hug. She smells faintly of sweet jasmine and garlic.

"Oh, look at you!" Angela beams, pulling back to hold me at arm's length, her dark, sharp eyes scanning my face with absolute delight. "Evelyn was right, you’re a ray of sunshine. Such a handsome boy! And look at this beautiful hair. Gideon, why didn't you tell me he looks like a model?"

Evelyn? Isn’t she one of the town gossips. I don’t even know if I’ve met her.

"Ma," Gideon groans.

Lena steps up next, pulling me into a quick, friendly hug of her own. "Welcome to the family, Avery. Ignore my brother, he’s been pacing the living room for two hours thinking you were going to change your mind."

"I would never change my mind," I laugh. The tight knot of anxiety and fear in my chest instantly dissolves under their warmth. I hold out the two gift bags. "Mrs. Angela, Lena, thank you so much for having me. I wanted to bring you both a little something from the boutique to say thank you for the invitation."