his Pops into the house. The inside looked just as I had imagined from the outside. Picture frames littered the walls, dated but comfortable furniture filled the rooms, and carefully crocheted doilies adorned every surface.
I followed them into the kitchen and sat at the table as directed.
“Thank you,” I said as two slices of peanut pie were placed in front of us, a glass of sweet tea quickly following.
Letting Miller have his moment, I kept quiet and ate my dessert as they reminisced. I loved seeing Miller so animated as he laughed over childhood memories. Leaning back in my chair, I placed my arm on the back of his and unthinkingly played with the tiny curls on his nape.
Memaw and Pops zeroed in on the affectionate gesture and the way Miller leaned into my hand.
“So, Carson, what do you do for a living?” Pops asked as he sipped his tea.
“I own a nightclub,” I said simply, knowing it wasn’t the most respectable occupation out there. To some, I might as well have said strip club or drug den, sex club being a little too on the nose.
“Oh,” Memaw said, her eyes wide. “Is that how the two of you met?”
I smirked as Miller coughed and his cheeks turned pink. “No, ma’am. Lee is a mutual friend,” I said, knowing Miller had told them both all about him, “and I run a small gaming group. We were down a member, and Lee invited Miller to join us. He walked in, and I’ve been wrapped around his little finger ever since.”
“Carson.” Miller blushed and groaned, but I could see the pleasure on his face as he leaned into my side.
Smirking, I bent down and brushed a kiss against the top of his head. “What? It’s true, and you know it.”
Memaw looked at Pops, a soft look in her eye. “That reminds me of how we met.”
Pops returned her smile, a wealth of history in his expression. “I was working on my father’s farm, and this truck pulled up the drive. Your family was new in town and had gotten lost. I gave your father directions, but I was staring at you the entire time, and you were staring right back.”
Memaw laughed. “And my father knew it.”
“That man never did warm up to me,” Pops replied with a smirk.
Memaw winked back as Miller giggled at them both. Turning back to her grandson, her expression suddenly turned serious. “So, when are you going to go see your parents?”
Miller's expression was miserable as he rocked in his chair. “Soon?”
“You know they already know you’re here, right? As does half the town.”
“But—”
“Nosy Linda from next door most likely called them the second you pulled into the driveway.” Memaw’s expression was stern as she shooed us from the table. “Y’all go on now. We’ve given them enough hell over the years. Go give them some more.”
Miller sighed as he stood from the table. “Memaw, it’s not like that.”
“Pffft,” she replied, holding out her arms to receive Miller’s goodbye hug. “I love you, Miller. Come back tomorrow night, and we’ll have dinner.” She kissed his cheek and then let him go.
“Take care,” Pops said as he received his own hug. “If you need anything, holler.”
“I will,” Miller said as he returned to my side and took my hand.
“It’s been a pleasure,” I said, shaking their hands.
“Likewise,” Memaw replied.
I ushered Miller out of the house and back to the car. “Are you ready for this?”
Miller barked out a short laugh. “Nope, but I don’t think I’ll ever be.” He grabbed Wooly from the floorboard and played with her ears. “Let’s just get this over with.”
“Alright.” I placed my hand on the back of his seat and looked over my shoulder as I backed out of their driveway.
Miller lifted his hand and waved at his grandparents as they stood on their porch and watched us leave, returning his gesture. Following his directions, we pulled up to his parent’s house a few minutes later. He sat in his seat, staring at the front door.
Reaching for his chin, I turned his face until he was looking at me. “You can do this, little darling. Remember, I’ll be with you the whole time.”
His lips trembled. “I’ve practiced this a million times,” he admitted. “I’ve thought about all the things I’ve wanted to say, but right now, I can’t think of a single one.”
With a sigh, he unbuckled his seatbelt and reached for the door. Stepping out with him, I palmed the keys and