Chapter 135
Easton
"This is delicious,’ I say to Harper's mom after I take my first bite of her lasagna.

"Thank you again for having me over."

Harper had told me her mom was a good cook.

She wasn't kidding.

At least that's one positive thing that will come out of this experience.

I certainly won't go to bed hungry.

"Thank you, Easton.

I'm happy you like it,"

her mom replies.

"Yup, he's right,’ Sadie says, her mouth full.

“This is some seriously good grub.

The last time my mom made lasagna, she used cottage cheese instead of ricotta—I guess she ran out."

She takes a bite of garlic bread, the crunch loud enough to wake the dead.

“I wish I could say it was good, but it had chunks of pineapple in it."

She makes a face like she's about to hurl.

"Pineapple with meat sauce, that's a hard no."

"I'm happy to share my recipe with her,"

her mom says.

"Just remind me in the morning and I'll text you a picture of it."

“Easton, her dad says, wiping his mouth with a napkin, giving me a second to chew and swallow, preparing for more battle.

“How are your grades this year?"

"My grades are good, sir."

“Easton always makes honor roll,"

Sadie chimes in.

"He's one of the smart ones.

You know, like Ryan here."

She bats her eyes at him, and he kisses her.

Man, that kid has balls.

I'm sitting beside Harper, but I've barely looked at her.

I don't fucking dare.

With her dad sitting across from me, I can feel him stare at me while he chews.

While he takes a drink.

While he moves his salad around the plate.

Will this ever fucking end?

"So, is Sadie right, you make honor roll?"

he asks me.

"Yep."

I hold my piece of garlic bread, but I dont take a bite.

It reminds me of a bun—and just, no.

always pushed for

pushed Leigh to make sure I was always receiving

wouldn't that conversation go over

he'd probably bury me next

the one down on Main Street, next to

"That's the one,"

I tell him.

“Thought so.

pass it every time I

there as well until

an accomplished family you

I mention

did he Google my family when

me

we look like

digging— and maybe he knows how—we're a hybrid of American

into pre—law,’ Harper

I can feel her

glance

like

decided

want to keep

a little early to declare something I

"Changing to what?"

he asks.

provide well for your

is allowed to provide too, you

home and watch The Real Housewives of

his wine

lost count how many glasses he's

sips,

dear, let's not have the

you

don't even own the clothes

is getting ahead of ourselves,

the marriage image is in

Wonderful.

dream, honey,’ her mom

dreams when we were

He eyes his wife.

“Sure did.

at this wonderful stage of our lives, where you walk into our

from

Fuck me.

want this table to just swallow me

"Dad ..."

Ryan starts.

better that

ornament left and every light

gets

Sadie gasps.

Sadie and

like I'm

believe what I'm hearing right

don't know what the fuck

happy the conversation has shifted to someone

with every girl he's brought home for

Sadie asks Harper's parents.

mom sets

you're the first girl Ryan has ever brought to

“What?"

smiling at

"Is that true?"

He shrugs.

loud—two things

She slaps him.

“OMG, shut up!"

that's what you love

while Ryan and Sadie are having their back and forth and she's

as fucking horrified as

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