She had planned to prepare her dad in advance by telling him about Tucker, but he’d been stuck in meetings all day and her mom told her he wouldn’t be home until late. If she’d known that, she’d have told him about Tucker sooner. As it was, it was possible both her father and Tucker might arrive at the same time.

She was just going to have to hope it all went as she expected it should—no big deal.

To keep her mind occupied, she busied herself in the kitchen with her mom, who was making one of Aubry’s favorite dishes—lasagna. Aubry made the salad while her mom baked bread. The smells emanating in the kitchen were to die for. Her stomach was growling.

“You’re awfully quiet, Aubry,” her mother said. “Did you have a bad day at work?”

Aubry took a sip from the glass of wine she’d poured earlier, trying to calm her nerves. “Work was fine today.”

“Then it’s something else. What is it? Are you nervous about your father meeting Tucker?”

She sat at the island. “Yes. You know how Dad is about me and relationships.”

Her mom looked at the oven timer, then poured herself a glass of wine. “It’s all going to be fine. He’s not the ogre you think he is.”

“I know he isn’t. It’s just—I don’t know what it is, honestly.”

Her mother graced her with one of her calming smiles. “You haven’t brought a man over here before. Not since high school.”

“I know. I guess this is kind of a big deal to me.”

“Which means that Tucker is a big deal to you?”

Leave it to her mom to get to the root of her angst. “Yes, he is.”

Her mother’s lips tipped up. “This makes me very happy.”

“Don’t get too excited or start planning a wedding yet, Mom. We’re just dating. It’s not serious.”

Except it kind of was. Otherwise, Tucker wouldn’t be coming over here.

“Which is more than you’ve done with any man for quite some time, honey. It’s been school and work and nothing else. I’m just happy to see you happy and enjoying yourself.”

Aubry couldn’t help her own smile. “Thanks. I’m kind of happy as well. Now we just have to hope Dad feels the same way.”

The doorbell rang, which meant it was Tucker and not her father.

“I’ll get that.” Aubry went to the door and opened it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Tucker dressed in black jeans and white button-down shirt. He looked so handsome he took her breath away.

“You look amazing,” she said. “Come on in.”

He had a bottle in his hand, but he looked around, then swept his arm around her. “And you are gorgeous.”

He brushed his lips across hers for an all-too-brief kiss. “Just in case we don’t have a chance to do that. I’ve missed you.”

And there went her skipping heart again. She inhaled, then took his hand in hers. “Come on into the kitchen.”

Her mom was just pulling the bread from the oven.

“Wow. It smells good in here,” Tucker said. “Can I move in?”

Her mother turned around and smiled. “It depends. Do you mow?”

Tucker grinned. “I can mow, milk cows and even take out the trash.”

“Well, we don’t have cows, but the other two mean you’re in. Hello, Tucker.”

“Evening, Mrs. Ross. Thank you for having me over.”

“Please. Call me Helen. Clyde is running a little late. What can I get you to drink?”

“I’ll have a beer.”

“We have several different kinds. What would you prefer?”

Aubry was impressed with Tucker’s ability to sit at the island and relax with her mother. Before long, the two of them were talking about beer of all things, since both of them were fond of dark brews. Her mother told them about the trip she and Dad had taken to Germany a couple of years ago, and all the types of beers they’d tasted there.

“I’ve never been to Germany, but it’s on the top of my list now,” Tucker said.

Mom gave him a list of beer pubs to stop at in Berlin. Aubry listened with interest, since it was somewhere she’d love to go someday as well.

She heard the front door open, and her anxiety level increased.

“Sorry I’m late,” her dad said as he came into the room. “Meeting lasted longer than I expected.”

He kissed her mom, then turned to Aubry and smiled. “Hi, sweetheart.”

“Hi, Dad. I believe you know Tucker Cassidy.”

If her father was disappointed or angry, he didn’t show it. He gave Tucker a big smile and a handshake.

“Hey, Tucker. It’s great to see you.”

Tucker had stood when her father came into the room, and, if possible, looked more nervous than she was. “Evening, Mr. Ross.”

“I’ve been telling Tucker about our trip to Germany two years ago,” her mom said. “He’s a big fan of beer and he wants to take a trip there, so I told him about the best places to visit.”

“Is that right?” Her dad looked over at Tucker’s glass. “Looks like she gave you a dark ale. I think I’ll have one of those myself.”

Her mother poured a beer for him. “Dinner will be ready shortly, but in the meantime, let’s move into the living room so we can chat.”

TUCKER WAS USUALLY AT EASE WITH PEOPLE, BUT damn if this wasn’t an anxiety-producing evening. He knew spending time with her parents was important to Aubry, and getting approval from her dad was even more important.