smiled, hoping it didn’t look as false as it felt. “Of course not,” he lied.
Wait. Why would I be upset? I’ve done similar before…
“Okay, thank you so much,” she sagged. “Just be quiet in there.”
The doorbell rang.
“I really have to get that. Can you close the door behind you?”
Rann smiled. “Of course. You won’t hear a peep from me.”
“Thank you,” Gayle sighed and headed for the door.
Rann disappeared into the bedroom and closed the door. Then he started searching for his clothing, trying to remember where it had been discarded during the night.
Outside, he heard Gayle call to her mother, telling her that she was coming, to just give her another moment.
He finished getting dressed and went for the window at the same moment that Gayle pulled open the front door.
Chapter Sixteen
Gayle
How could I have forgotten they were coming over?!
“Hi Mom, hi Dad,” she said, plastering a false smile on her face as she opened the door.
Her parents swarmed in, her mom giving her a hug. Gayle returned it, wishing she could just shrivel up and die or disappear. Anything that would end the awkwardness of that morning. Anything.
Please, please, let them be oblivious and buy the excuse about his truck.
The last thing she needed was to explain to her parents why there was a strange man in her house. Although she’d briefly talked with her mom about her breakup with Mikey, she wasn’t ready for any of that to happen.
“How are you sweetheart?” her mother asked. “Did you just get up? Have a bit too much last night?”
Gayle couldn’t help but smile as her mom nudged her knowingly with an elbow, chuckling to herself as she pushed past into the house.
“Hello, darling,” her father said, holding the present out to one side while coming in to wrap her up with his free arm. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks Dad,” she said, accepting his hug with gratitude. Her dad gave the best hugs.
“I thought we were going for brunch?” her mom asked from behind her.
Gayle turned. Her mom was staring at the kitchen.
“Uhhh,” Gayle said, her stomach sinking.
Crap. How was she going to explain all this away? Think girl, think!
“I just needed a bit of a pre-brunch meal,” she said uncomfortably. “Like you said, last night got a bit out of hand. Thought that you might enjoy some homemade pancakes too.”
Her mom arched an eyebrow but only nodded.
“That’s why Ben’s truck is out front too,” she said, relaxing into the lie.
“I wondered whose that was,” her father said. “And I love pancakes.”
Bless you, Dad!
Gayle was pretty certain her mom wasn’t buying the excuse, but either her father was, or he was giving her an out. Either way, she was grateful to him.
“Well, I’m glad you had fun dear,” her mom said. “I know it must not have been the easiest. So I’m glad your real friends were here for you.”
Gayle smiled. “Thanks, Mom. It was actually quite nice. I’m glad I went ahead and had them over anyway.”
“Think you can put up with your dear old parents for a bit this morning?” her mom asked, a twinkle in her eye.
Laughing, Gayle went over and gave her mother another hug. “Of course, Mom. You’ll just have to handle me moving a bit slower while I shake off the hangover. It was a rough night.”
Her mom laughed. Gayle bit back a smile at the double entendre. Her dad chuckled lowly along with them. From in the bedroom, there was a loud thump.
Then the sound of someone cursing.
Gayle stiffened. Both her parent’s eyes swiveled to her.
Just kill me now God, please. Spare me.
“Gayle, honey, what was that?” her mom asked.
“I don’t know,” she said, concentrating as hard as she could, trying to make herself just disappear. Or melt into a muddle. Or burst into a million pieces. Anything to spare her the awkwardness she knew was coming. “I’ll go check it out.
“Oh, no you won’t,” her dad said, putting himself between the two women and her bedroom door. “If there’s an intruder in there, he might get you. Carol, call the sheriff. Get them here right away.”
Gayle’s eyebrows shot up as her father grabbed a knife from her kitchen block.
“No, Dad, wait,” she said, closing her eyes. “You don’t need that. Mom, put your phone down. It’s okay.”
“I am not going to let some thief rob my daughter’s house!” her father said. He was in protective-dad mode now.
“Dad,” she said, pleading with him, staring at the ground so she didn’t have to see the look she