“And I was upset when you got pregnant because I wanted to string that no-good man up by his gonads for how he treated you. I was disappointed because I want the best for you, Kay, not a lifetime of struggle. Of course, you proved me wrong as usual because you didn’t struggle, you thrived. I am truly awed by you.”

Kay sat back, stunned. “I never knew. I guess we could both do better at communicating what we really feel. I’m sorry I didn’t call. I hate to think of you being worried. I was safe the whole time. Eli would never let anything happen to me.”

Henrietta wiped the tears from her eyes and stood. “Yes, well, I’d like to hear what happened from him. I think he has some explaining to do.” She marched into the kitchen where Eli was standing next to her father.

“Now, I’d like to hear directly from you, young man, about what happened. You show up on our doorstep one day and then the next thing we know, our daughter is gone for a month. I’d like an explanation.”

“Mom! I already told you everything.” Kay groaned. She walked over next to Eli, as if she could shield him from her mother’s wrath. It seemed their mother-daughter truce didn’t extend to being nice to her man.

“I am so sorry about this,” she whispered to Eli. She supposed she couldn’t expect her mother to break all her old habits. All things in good time, she thought. But at least they’d made a start to patching up their relationship.

He pulled her closer and grinned. “It’s fine.”

“Now, pumpkin, your mother has a point. We’re your parents. We can’t help but worry. I didn’t protect you from that last fella, but I mean to do so now. I think a man who’s got nothing to hide shouldn’t mind answering a few questions.”

“I agree,” Eli added.

Kay turned to glare at him. “Whose side are you on?”

“Yours. Always.” Then he turned to her parents. “I have no problem answering any questions you have. I love your daughter and I’m not going anywhere. I want to marry her, if she’ll have me. I hope we’ll have your blessing.”

Henrietta covered her mouth with her hands. “Marry her? Well, this is unexpected.”

“Yes, ma’am. I realize you don’t know me that well, but I plan to rectify that real soon. There’s nothing more important than family.”

Her father looked at Kaylee and winked. “A straight shooter. I like this one.”

“Well, come on in, Mr. Alexander. Come in and sit down.” Henrietta beamed up at him as she took his arm and he followed her into the living room.

“Call me Eli, please.”

“Do you work here in town, Eli?”

“I own a security company headquartered in Northern Virginia, but I’m moving home. I’ll open a secondary location in New Haven.”

Henrietta looked back at Kay. “He’s a business owner, Kaylee.” She didn’t let go of Eli’s arm as she led him into the living room. Probably figured Kay would never bring home such a good catch again.

Kay shook her head as Eli effortlessly charmed her parents.

When the doorbell rang, Henrietta looked over her shoulder. “Get the door, Kaylee. It’s for you.”

“How do you know it’s for me?”

But as usual, her mother wasn’t paying any attention, instead smiling up at Eli and hanging on his every word. Kay snickered. She wondered what her mother would think if she found out that good catch was thoroughly corrupting her daughter every night and introducing her to things that were illegal in some states.

She peered through the peephole and then pulled back in surprise. Her hand fumbled with the knob as she struggled to turn it. The door swung open and Sasha looked up.

After a few moments, they each reached out, ending up in an awkward hug.

“I am so glad to see you.”

“I’m so sorry I didn’t call you back.”

They both spoke at once and then ended up grinning at each other. Kay pulled her friend back into another hug. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to see you again. I’m so sorry about everything that happened.”

“Me, too. I was just hurt. And embarrassed. But I know it wasn’t your fault.”

“I knew you’d never hurt me.” Kay pulled her friend inside and then shut the door.

“Not me, just my crappy taste in men.” Sasha’s face twisted and tears welled in her eyes. “I didn’t know what he was doing, I swear.”

“I know.” Kay hooked an arm around her friend’s neck. “My life isn’t right without you in it. Don’t go away again, okay?”

Sasha nodded. “Never again.”

Kay wiped the tears from her cheeks. “We don’t need to talk about that anymore. I have something better. Let’s go watch Eli charm my parents.”

Sasha’s eyes sparkled gratefully. “Tall, dark, and scary meets the parents, huh? I’m in.”

EPILOGUE

In the not-so-distant future…

“I CAN’T BELIEVE this day is finally here. Thanks for hosting this party for me.” Kaylee could have danced in place with excitement. Her album was releasing the following day and her friends were hosting an album-release party at Sweeties, an exclusive restaurant, just for her. She’d done several so far, including one in L.A. and another in New York, but this was the one that mattered most to her.

The private party with all her family and friends in attendance.