BALLOONS FLEW FROM the mailbox, a clear indication that a party was happening. Annika refused to ride on Daniel’s bike, so they had taken her car. As she parked in the street in front of the house, a huge bouncy castle in the backyard came into view, and loud music blared from somewhere. Daniel’s stomach clenched and sweat formed on his upper lip. He inhaled deeply and reached over to squeeze Annika’s hand. Her smile sent instant ripples of calm through his body, settling his stomach, his heartbeat returning to normal.

They exited the car to an unseasonably warm afternoon for late November. It was as if the weather gods had decided to gift Daniel’s nephew, Charlie, a warm day for his birthday party.

Daniel took Annika’s hand again as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He was light with feelings he had suppressed for the better part of five years. Annika was about to meet his family, and he couldn’t think of anything he’d rather be doing. Except for maybe being alone with her. Hopefully there’d be plenty of time for that in the future. He almost laughed out loud at himself. He hadn’t thought about the future in the last few years, either.

A small voice in the back of his head nagged him, threatening to ruin his light feelings: he hadn’t yet told Annika about Sara. Among other things. It wasn’t time yet, he told that voice. He didn’t want her to be with him because she felt sorry for him. Her feelings had to be real.

She seemed to have forgiven him for the ER, but at the sight of the balloons and the bouncy house, her face became panicked.

“Daniel, I know you said we were meeting your family.” She swallowed. “But I was thinking a casual coffee, maybe lunch.” Her eyes were wide as she turned to face him. “But this looks like a family function—a party.”

“It is.” He nodded. “I thought it would be easier—you know, the focus would be spread out.”

She inhaled deeply, weighing this. “Yes. Okay. Makes sense.” She nodded vigorously. “Let’s do it.”

“It’ll be fine.” He pulled her closer to his side. “You’ll see.”

This didn’t seem the right time to tell her that he hadn’t brought a girl home since Sheila. The truth was, even though he didn’t have any idea what he was doing with Annika, the only way to explain himself was for her to meet his family. Not to mention if he was going to see his nephew, it would help to have Annika at his side. He was already calmer just having her here.

Hmm.

“About time we saw you, live and in person.” Emma walked out of the house before he reached the door and trapped him in a hug.