“All right,” she nods in agreement. “Is there anything else I should know?”

I clear my throat, trying not to laugh because now is not the time, but I have no other choice but to tell her.

“Oh my God, what is it?” she groans, covering her face with her hands.

“Olivia told them you’d be there on Friday.”

She lets out a relieved breath, placing a hand on her chest. Just wait until she hears the rest.

“Okay, yeah. That’s not that bad.”

“Mhm,” I murmur, and she raises a brow in question. “Where are you going to sleep since you’re not from here?”

Her eyes look like they are going to pop out of her head. “Fuck me,” she growls. “What if we tell them my grandma lives here and I’m going to stay with her?”

I nod. “Yeah, that should work.”

“This is fucked up, Elias,” she laughs, massaging her forehead with her fingers.

“I know,” I laugh. This really is insane.

CHAPTER TWELVE

INDIGO

I’m shitting my pants at the thought of meeting his parents, but I have to admit I really enjoyed spending time with him today.

We laughed at the situation we were in, neither of us thinking that a week after we met it would end up like this. I learned so many things about him and he learned a few about me.

He told me plants fascinated him before he could walk and started the process of tree therapy five years ago. Elias is confident that everything will work out for him this year. I don’t know much about it, but if there’s something I believe in, it’s people with big dreams. And Elias is definitely a dreamer.

* * *

The days before the dinner pass in the blink of an eye. Elias and Olivia kept coming over, and our chats continued like normal. No pushing limits or trying to fill the silences. And now, here we are, all dressed up, ready to leave for a dinner I never thought I’d have.

Elias told me not to go too extra, but not too simple either. I’m wearing a pair of tight blue jeans, a black blouse that skims my body, and some simple make-up.

He should be here any minute, so I walk down the stairs, supporting myself on the banister to prevent myself from falling. My legs are trembling like crazy.

“You look stunning,” Enya says, her eyes shining with pride.

She laughed when I told her our plans, but she’s pleased I’m getting out of my comfort zone.

When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I stop for a moment to steady my breath. Her warm palm rests on my cheek, sending a wave of peacefulness through me. Sighing, I turn around, ready to run back into my room.

My safe place.