now, I backed off, sensing her anxiety beginning to ratchet up again.
“Soon.” I affectionately smacked her on her luscious ass and then caressed away any possible sting. My distraction worked. Her eyes heated, as I’d intended. “Stop worrying.”
“Who says I’m worried?”
I planted a quick but possessive kiss on her, biting back a smile. She was nibbling at her lower lip, a subtle but sure sign she was anxious. As adorable as it was, I preferred to be the one doing the nibbling.
“I do. But they’re going to love you.”
I was excited about introducing Eva to my parents. Whether she was ready to accept it or not, she was now a part of my life and, therefore, theirs as well.
Eva was unusually quiet as we dressed and prepared to take the trek down to my parents’ place. It wasn’t far, located just down the hill. I chalked it up to nerves, though she really had nothing to be nervous about. I was crazy about her, and I had no doubt they would be too.
Unfortunately, words held little sway with Eva without actions to back them up, so again, I was just going to have to show her. Hedging my bets, I texted Jackie about meeting us there earlier than planned, thinking that seeing a familiar face might help Eva feel more comfortable.
Jackie and Eric hadn’t yet arrived when we knocked on my parents’ front door. My father answered almost immediately, leading me to believe my mother had him on watch duty.
“Jace, my boy,” he said, drawing me into a manly bear hug.
“Hey, Dad. This is Eva D’Agolino. Eva, my dad, Ray.”
“It’s a pleasure, Mr. Logan.”
“Ray, please,” my dad said, smiling warmly. “Unless, of course, you want me to call you Ms. D’Agolino.” He raised his brow in challenge.
“Ray it is,” Eva said.
My dad winked. “Glad we’ve got that settled. Come on in. Your mother’s waiting on you.”
He led us to the kitchen where my mother was cooking enough food for an army.
“Look what I found,” he announced with a big grin and then quickly stepped out of the way.
“Jace!” My mom turned, her face shining with the radiance of the sun. She put down the bowl she had been holding and made a beeline for me. “Ah, it is so good to see you! And you look good! A bit skinny maybe, but we’ll take care of that.”
I laughed and wrapped my arms around her, lifting her several inches off the floor until she squealed. Then, I put her back down and kissed her cheek. “I’m sure you will. Mom, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
I moved to the side to reveal Eva, who had been hovering back in the shadows. “Mom, this is Eva D’Agolino. Eva, my mother, Eileen Logan.”
Eva extended her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Logan.”
My mom ignored her hand and drew her into an embrace. “Call me Mom or Eileen, please. And any woman who brings my Jace home to me deserves nothing less than a hug.”
Eva returned the embrace, shooting me a surprised look over my mom’s shoulder.
“I’d just go with it if I were you,” I suggested.
Thankfully, she did.
My mom stepped back to look at her but spoke to me, “Ah, Jace, she is beautiful. But then I knew she would be.”
Eva blushed, but I couldn’t grin any wider if I tried.
“Of course she is. Now, what is that delicious smell? I’m starving.”
My mom’s eyes twinkled as she picked up a dish towel and swatted playfully at me. “Some things never change. Come. Sit. I’ll get you each a plate, and you can tell me all about how you two met.”
~ * ~
Eva
“Would you like some help with that?” I asked after I noticed Jace’s mom rubbing her hands again.
It was just the two of us in the kitchen, and surprisingly, it wasn’t as uncomfortable as I’d envisioned. I’d liked his parents immediately. They were warm and friendly and welcoming. It was easy to see where Jace had gotten his smile and charm.
Eileen gave me a grateful look. “Could you, dear? My arthritis is acting up today. Usually, the kneading helps, keeps my joints flexible, but I think I overdid it with the wedding coming up and everyone coming in.”
I was already washing my hands at the sink and tying an apron around my waist before she finished. Working with my hands would give me something productive to do, and helping Jace’s mom was an added bonus.
“Looks like you might have done that