He seemed to be responsibly thinking through each decision and working to make the best of this situation. I was impressed with Joe. I hadn’t realized that he had it in him. Apparently, the beach-bum façade was just that, a persona. He really had his shit together. I just hoped that Courtney would be able to do the same.

12

I had to stop worrying about Courtney, Joe, and Jonah’s situation because quick-as-a-wink, it was Sunday, which meant it was time for me to face the music with the Davis family. I fussed over what to wear to their family brunch, but finally decided it really didn’t matter. Once Seth and I made our announcement, no one would be thinking about my attire.

I donned a simple, purple sheath dress and twirled my hair into what I hoped was a responsible-looking French twist. I was ready an hour early, so I alternated between sitting in our living room fidgeting, and pacing. Court came downstairs in her bathrobe long enough to tell me that she hoped it went well, before shuffling back upstairs to her room. I was too stressed to worry about her today. I knew she would eventually come around.

Seth must have been nervous too because he arrived to pick me up a half hour before the time we had agreed upon. Sitting on my couch wasn’t doing anything to calm our nerves, so we decided to head to his parents’ estate a little early.

I had never before seen Seth’s green Jeep Wrangler with the doors and windows installed. I realized that he must have put them in so that I wouldn’t get mussed on our way to brunch, and I was touched by his ever-present thoughtfulness.

We rode in silence, and all-too-soon turned up the lane to his parents’ huge, brick and stone mansion. The previous brunch I attended was outside by the pool, but it was chillier today, so this one would be inside. I had gone into the impressive pool house the other time I was here, but I had never made it inside the main house.

Seth linked his arm with mine before saying, “Shall we?” We both paused in front of the massive, intimidating front door. We took a deep breath in tandem as he raised his finger to push the doorbell. I found it odd that he had to ring the bell at his parents’ home, especially when they were expecting him for a meal, but I refrained from commenting on it.

The butler escorted us into an enormous formal dining room with the biggest mahogany table I had ever seen. I was certain the table could comfortably seat twenty people. It looked like it had been made for royalty. Looking around the elegant room only served to make me more anxious.