Indigo rolls her eyes, but there’s still a smile on her face. “That’s not the way to ask a woman to be your girlfriend.” She fake pouts, crossing her arms over her chest.

I nod, agreeing with her. Both of us still smiling. I load up a song on the stereo by Dean Lewis. She listens to him every time she showers and I’m kind of a fan of his. She buries her head between her hands, groaning.

“Indigo—” I stop short. “Wait, what’s your last name again?”

“Hayes,” she laughs, her face still in her hands.

“Indigo Hayes, will you be my girlfriend?” I smile widely. She finally meets my gaze.

“I have to say yes, but only because you’re nice company.”

“Okay, girlfriend,” I tease, knowing she won’t like it.

She smacks me in the arm. “Don’t say that.”

“Don’t say what?”

“Girlfriend.” She waves her hand in the air. “It’s weird. Don’t make it weird.”

“What do you mean?” I play dumb. “You just said it yourself.”

She leans over without warning and gives me a fast peck on the lips.

“Great way to make a man shut his mouth,” I chuckle.

“It worked though,” she says as we arrive at my parents’ house.

I shake my head, park the car, hop out and open the door for her. This feels like a big thing. Bringing home the first girl after Ava. Technically, it’s not the first time, but my soul feels like it is.

“You look incredible,” I say, sizing her up and licking my lips. It takes all my strength to stop from driving us back home and carrying her into bed.

While there’s nothing different with her style of clothing, her attitude and what we’ve just settled changes it all.

“They already love you,” I whisper in her ear as we enter the house. She relaxes a little as Mom, Dad, and Olivia give her a hug.

“Ahh!” Mom claps her hands together after hugging me. “You guys are thriving!”

“Is anyone in the mood for darts?” Dad asks and Mom slaps his arm playfully.

“Tom! Let them eat first.”

“I’d love to,” Indigo admits, and I nod beside her.

“But Lorelai’s right. Let’s eat first,” Dad says.

We agree and eat at the fastest pace ever. Olivia doesn’t eat much and when I ask her about it she says she ate some sweets a while ago and now her stomach hurts.

After we’re all set, Indigo helps Mom wash the dishes, while Olivia, Dad, and I wait for them on the couch with full tummies. I can hardly move.

“We barely see you since you moved into town,” Dad says, putting his hand on my shoulder.