I sigh and nod and try to give my best smile. Although I don’t completely hate the idea of coming back — and that scares the shit out of me — I don’t want to stay the night either. No one’s bed is better than mine, but I can’t see a way out of coming back tomorrow.

Lorelai squeals, throwing her arms around me. I hear Olivia in the back whispering a loud yes, which lowers my stress levels enough to make me laugh. The last time I felt this comfortable in someone’s presence was at the party where I had my fake, paid-for date.

This is different, though. This is real. They’re not paid to like me. They’re not pretending.

“Great.” Lorelai releases me from the hug, her palms on my shoulders, and watches me with a big grin on her face.

Can’t believe they’re fifty. They look gorgeous for their age, their jokes are on point, and Lorelai’s cooking is incredible. Oh my god, she made the best meal I’ve had in ages.

It’s surreal to feel so wanted by people I’ve just met. A night with them is the opposite of a dinner with my family.

Sensing I’m getting lost in thoughts, I shake my head and smile down at her. She’s a little woman, a bit like a classic mom you see in movies. When she smiles, wrinkles surround her gentle eyes, and her brown curly hair frames her face beautifully.

Tom and Elias are the same person. Tall, broad-chested, large shoulders, sharp jaw, and green eyes that look like they see through you. Actually, they all have eyes like that.

“Why don’t you take Indigo home and I’ll clean the dishes?” Lorelai suggests when Elias starts to clear the table.

He puts the plates down, comes behind me, and places his hand on the small of my back. I resist the urge to wiggle free and instead I lean into his touch to make everything between us seem more real.

“Thank you for having me,” I say. I hear Elias’s breath hitch behind me, making me realize that maybe I’m leaning too close to his hips. “It was amazing meeting you,” I continue, straightening my back.

Olivia, Tom and Lorelai are beaming at us. Can’t believe they convinced me to stay over tomorrow night. Their power to dominate is unbelievable. Olivia and Elias’s parents could ask me to do anything with those big eyes and I’d do it.

“Drive safely!” Lorelai calls as we step out of the house.

My chest tightens as I turn around and see the three of them waving at me. They make such a happy family picture and I tell myself that even if it was only one night, they made it worth it. I wave back.