Page 59 of Scrubbing In
CHAPTER FORTY
Julian
As soon aswe arrive at the condo, Leena takes control, unpacking and plating the food we ordered so we wouldn’t be stuck cooking and cleaning up too much after my family.Andso we didn’t risk being seen out together.
Jace and I do exactly as she directs, setting the table and arranging the platters. I’m placing the last fork beside a plate when the doorbell rings, the sound hanging heavy in the air. My head shoots up to see the panic take over Leena’s features, and she starts to wring her hands together.
Glancing at Jace, I tip my head to the door.
“I’ll get it,” Jace says, already striding off.
I make my way over to Leena, immediately pulling her into my side. “They’re going to love you,” I promise as we enter the living room. She nods vigorously, chewing on her lip. I cup her neck, turning her into me as I gently tug the abused flesh free with my thumb. “I mean it.” Then I lean down and place a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth.
The buzz of voices precede everyone into the living room. My mom leads the way, beaming. She rushes to give me a hug, pulling me down to her. It’s been three months since we’ve seen each other, and I hold her a little tighter. Next, my dad envelopsme in a strong embrace—we have never been shy about physical affection.
“Leena, these are my parents, Lucas and Talia. Mom, Dad, this is Leena.”
Introducing Leena to my parents feels a little surreal. I’ve been talking about her for months. My mom’s eyes bounce between us, and she holds her clasped hands to her chin. Her attempt to contain herself is futile because she has no chill, pouncing forward to scoop my girl in a tight hold. Dad throws me a knowing smirk.
“Oh, it’s so wonderful to finally meet you,” my mom gushes.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Leena looks at me over my mom’s shoulder, cheeks tinted pink and a bashful smile pulling at her lips.
My dad extends his arm, always the calm one, engulfing my girl’s tiny hand in his. “Leena, what a pleasure.”
I wrap my arm around Leena, showing her off for the first time, and it feels just as good as I imagined. I was always hoping we would end up here.
My mom looks like she is going to pass out from sheer joy, so to distract her, I ask where my sister is.
Leaning into my dad, Mom answers, “Quinn should be here soon. She called as she was walking out the door.”
Jace moves forward, no longer hovering on the outside of our circle. “Dr. and Mrs. Jacobs, would you like something to drink?”
Mom points a finger at him, scolding his formality. “Jace, I have known you since you were knee high, stop that Dr. and Mrs. Jacobs business.”
Sheepishly, he replies, “Yes, ma’am.”
Smiling fondly, she slips her arm into Jace’s elbow. “Come on, let’s see what you have.” Then she’s dragging him off in the direction of the kitchen.
Leena sags into my side, and I press a kiss to her temple, wanting to reassure her again that everything was going well. Just as I predicted.
Leena
Julian’s mom gives us one last look before they disappear through the doorway. She reminds me so much of my own mother, I can’t help but laugh—albeit a little shakily— as they leave the room.
Before any of us can say anything, the doorbell rings again. Talia hustles out of the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, “That has to be Quinn. I’ll let her in.”
Involuntarily, my spine stiffens. There has been almost no time to process that first introduction, and my nerves that had started to recede return with a vengeance now that I’m about to meet another family member. I think it went well with his parents, although his dad hasn’t said much. But what if Julian’s much-loved sister is the one who doesn’t like me?
Ever attuned to me, Julian brushes his lips light as a feather over my ear and whispers, “You’re about to find out she adores you.”
Looking up at him in bewilderment, he just smiles and cocks his head to the side as if waiting to hear something.
In the loudest whisper that is not really a whisper, I hear, “Oh my god, Quinn. She is the most beautiful little thing I have ever seen. Just wait until you see the way your brother looks at her!”
My cheeks are blazing.
“It’s like she forgets how to whisper when she’s excited.” This is from his father. Lucas’s face shines with affection as he speaks about his wife.
