Page 91 of Second Time Around

“We’re here,” he said as he pulled up in front of her parents’ house.

“Last chance to back out of it,” she said, only half-teasing.

He chuckled. “C’mon, Jen. It’ll be fine.”

“Okay, but remember the signal.”

“When you wink at me, that means it’s time to leave.”

“Right.”

As they walked up to the house, he gently placed his hand on the small of her back. Instead of flinching or pulling away like she might have a few weeks ago, she welcomed the warmth and comfort of his touch. She’d become rather addicted to it, and not just the innocent touches, like this one.

She’d just opened the door when her mom came bustling into the foyer with an apron tied around her waist. Jenna had prepared herself for her mom’s reaction to Beck’s presence, but she was still embarrassed by it.

“Oh my goodness. Look at you! Let me give you a hug!” Her mom flung out her arms as if there was no choice in the matter, and Beck stepped into them.

As they were hugging, Jenna caught a whiff of cherries, and she knew her mom had baked a cherry pie. Lori only baked pies on special occasions, and Beck’s attendance obviously warranted one.

“It’s good to see you, Mrs. Young.”

“You’re not a kid anymore. Call me Lori.”

“Lori, then,” he said as he disentangled himself.

Then Jenna’s dad came around the corner with cherry stains at the corner of his lips.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Beckett Montgomery. How are you, son?”

“Excellent, Mr.…” He glanced at Lori, who was shaking her head and smiling. “John,” Beck said, correcting himself.

“Come on into the kitchen. Stacy and Nick are already here. Oh, and I invited Kelsey and Hudson too,” Lori trilled.

“Of course you did,” Jenna muttered. Not that she didn’t want to see her friends, but the chances of being asked inappropriate questions had just gone up exponentially.

Beck placed his hand on her back again, and they followed her parents into the kitchen/dining area.

Stacy and Nick, who were standing at the counter, nibbling on appetizers, looked up when they walked in.

“Hey, Beck,” Stacy said, greeting him with a warm smile.

Nick stepped forward with his hand outstretched. “Nick Perez. Nice to meet you.”

“Beck Montgomery, and ditto.”

Jenna and Stacy exchanged a smile as they watched the men’s interaction. Two hot guys in the same place was a treat, and when Hudson arrived, it would be a threepeat!

“Would you like a beer?” John asked Beck.

“Sure. Sounds great.”

“Please have some appetizers,” Lori said. “Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes.”

Beck took a plate and loaded it up, looking completely at ease in her parent’s kitchen. It gave her a sense of déjà vu to see him here, and it wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

He and Nick slipped into a discussion about sports, as football season was well underway and they were both fans.

“There’s probably a game on right now,” John said. “Do you ladies mind if we wait in the living room?”