“Good. And so, if you’re going to be part of my life, they need to get used to that. April already likes you. Mom’s making lasagna, which probably isn’t going to be up to Italian grandma standards, but it is still awesome. Let me text her back that you’re coming too? I’ll just say that you and I already had plans to hang out, but that I’m bringing you to dinner first. Easy.”

“Not sure I buy ‘easy.’ But, okay. This means something to you, so I’ll come. But I don’t think this is gonna be that simple.”

“It might be.” I squirmed on his lap, almost toppling us before I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring kiss. And he returned the kiss, but his tension remained.

“I hope you’re right.”

I hoped that too. I needed my family to see this Milo, the changed guy, the one who was funny and tender and an amazing artist. The one who had spent years hiding, but who might finally be ready to poke his head out into the larger world. I clung to the memory of dancing with him at the ball, the look in his eyes, the gentleness of his hands. He cared, and what I needed most of all was him to get out of his own way. I wasn’t sure whether all my conviction would be enough to make it happen, but I was sure as heck going to try.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Milo

“I’m still not sure this is a good idea.” I slowed my steps as we approached Jasper’s house. Because Jasper had to work and the weekend bus schedule was so awful, I’d driven, and my heart rate was still elevated from Saturday night traffic. Driving was getting easier, but I doubted I’d ever completely lose my tension over being behind the wheel.

“I am.” Jasper bumped shoulders with me as we walked up the little path that wound around the house. Handprints of various Quigley kids and pets decorated the stepping-stones, and if I looked hard enough, I could bet that I’d find one of my own. The sunny day when Jasper’s mom had recruited everyone’s help in making the path seemed a million miles away. “Listen. I promise no matter how awkward it gets, we can still go back to my room after and I’ll make suffering through worth it.”