All In by Marta Brown

Author:Marta Brown [Brown, Marta]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯), ebook, Young Adult, summer, summer romance, dance, sweet, first love, young love, marta brown, beach read, nantucket, college, marthas vineyard, dating, beach, all in
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Ashley

I can’t stop pacing the foyer waiting for Lane to arrive. It’s been barely twenty four hours since I’ve seen him, but it feels much longer considering I’ve spent most of those hours in my room, staying away from my parents the best I can.

The strike of our grandfather clock startles me. It’s six on the dot. “Please be on time, please be on time,” I whisper to myself as the sound of the clock chimes again and again. My parents are sticklers for punctuality and tonight will be difficult enough if they’re not already annoyed if Lane is late. I hear the faint sound of a car door shut followed by a soft knock at the door. I take a deep breath of relief. Right on time.

My heart picks up speed, and I wonder if Lane is more nervous for dinner with my parents than I am, but it’s doubtful. I pull open the door and my question is answered. Lane is definitely more nervous. His face is pale and lifeless, and there’s no light in his eyes, they’re flat and full of worry.

I reach out and take his hand. “Hi,” I say, pulling him through the doorway and giving him a soft smile. His smile back is weak and empty. Wow. He really is nervous.

I want to say something, anything, that will make this less nerve-wracking for him, but I don’t want to mislead him that this dinner is going to be anything other than an inquisition. Luckily, for him it won’t last forever. Two hours tops and he’ll be able to escape, unlike me, who is grounded for the unforeseeable future.

I lean in to give him a small kiss before walking into the living room for the formal introductions to my parents, but he pulls away looking anxious. “Baby, I need to talk to you.”

I place my hand against Lane’s cheek hoping it will help calm him, even if only a fraction. “About how much you don’t want to be here? I can tell.” I smile to show him he’s not alone. “This isn’t going to be fun for either of us, but you look like you’re about to go in front of a firing squad,” I say, trying to break the tension. “They’re going to love you, just as soon as they get to know you.” More than anything I hope that’s true.

“No, it’s not just that. I…uh…well, I just found out I’m not going to be able to go to—”

“So, you must be Lane,” my father says, his booming voice interrupting Lane.

Lane’s face becomes a whole shade whiter than it already was as he attempts to put on a confident smile, but all I can see is trepidation and fear pouring off of him.

“Uh…yes, sir. I mean… hello, sir. It’s nice to meet you.” Lane reaches out to shake my dad’s hand and I can see it tremble slightly.

“Yes, well, I would have rather met you under circumstances that did not involve my teenage daughter waltzing in at sunrise,” my father says bluntly, leaving Lane’s hand hanging in midair.

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