Page 86 of Dibs
“Oh, cool.” He stood and slipped his phone into his pocket.
I headed to Dylan’s room and told him the same thing. The boys ran downstairs and took turns hugging their grandparents.
“Where’s Chase and his two kiddos?” Mom asked as I followed behind them toward the kitchen.
I’d told my parents I was dating Chase shortly after we’d told the kids. They were definitely surprised and even more shocked when I told them my boyfriend was my old college roommate. Even though my announcement had caught them off guard, they’d been nothing but supportive, which was precisely what I’d expected from them.
“Chase is taking a shower and will be down in a few minutes. Jase and Cammie are coming with their mom,” I explained.
“I can’t wait to meet them,” she added before Tyler and Dylan led her and my father outside to show them the views from the deck.
Twenty minutes later, I had the burgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill. Chase walked outside, and I couldn’t keep myself from checking him out. His shaggy, dark brown hair, still wet from his shower, begged me to run my fingers through it. With his white T-shirt hugging his broad chest and the navy board shorts hanging on his trim hips, he was seriously hot.
“Mr. and Mrs. Statler, I’m so glad you could make it.” Chase walked over to shake my dad’s hand and hug my mother.
“It’s so great to see you again, and please call us Martin and Rebecca. Or Mom and Dad.”
I laughed at my mom’s suggestion. My parents had tried their hardest to form a relationship with Lisa, but she had never warmed up to them. My mom was so hopeful she’d finally have a chance to bond with the person in my life.
“Got it, Mom.” He winked in my direction. “Can I get you two anything to drink?”
“I’d love a beer if you’ve got one,” my father replied.
“We have beer.”
“Do you have any wine?” Mom asked.
“White or red?” Chase queried.
“White, please.” She smiled warmly.
“Coming right up.” Chase walked inside. When he returned, he handed my parents their drinks. While they continued to chat with my boys, he came over to me. “The food is looking good. Do you need anything?”
“I’m good, but thank you.”
“Okay, I’m going to open the side gate so people can come back, and we won’t have to answer the door a million times tonight.”
Our family and friends began to trickle in, and Chase introduced Jamie, Jase, and Cammie to my parents as soon as they arrived.
“Hey, Jamie.” I gave her a side hug when she stepped up next to me. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
Her face lit up. “Thank you.”
I looked behind her. “Speaking of your engagement, where’s Tony?”
She shook her head and chuckled. “He’ll be here soon. We forgot to put Luna in her crate before we left. We didn’t realize it until we pulled up, so he offered to go back and take care of her.”
“I still can’t believe Cammie managed that one.”
After we adopted Arlo, we found out Cammie had also convinced her mom to get her a dog. Chase and Jamie communicated better than most married couples on everything going on with their kids, and I found it hilarious they had been outplayed by a soon to be eight-year-old. Although, I thought we got the better end of the deal since a cat was less maintenance than a dog.
“I know,” Jamie agreed. “But as long as she helps take care of her as promised, I’m good with it. Besides, Luna is pretty darn adorable.”
“Gage, Jamie,” I heard someone call out and saw Chase’s mom wave at us.
“Hi, Lori,” I greeted, and then shook Chase’s dad’s hand. “Ken, how’s it going?”
Shortly after I told my parents I was dating Chase, we met with his parents to share the news with them as well. Since then, we’ve met up for dinner with them every couple of weeks.
