Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

She nodded adamantly bringing both her hands to her mouth, feelingher brows pinch as she was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. “Just nervousbecause I know my parents are gonna freak. But yes. I’m absolutely sure, Byron.”She smirked when she saw the uncertainty in his eyes, but she also knew him toowell now. “Am I sleeping here tonight?”

His brows jumped in surprise. “Well, if you’re leaving that up tome. Hell no! You’re coming home with me tonight.”

“And when we get home tomorrow night?”

“Yeah.” He smiled big as if understanding what she was getting atalready. “You’ll be there again and every night after that I can convince youto stay. We may as well make it official.”

Xochitl who’d gone into the bedroom before Vannah had even letByron back in, walked out into the kitchen. She’d been sure things would getemotional again and wanted to give them their privacy. “Just getting somethingto munch on, but I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I’m done.”

“We’re getting married,” Vannah blurted out making her roommatespin around so fast she nearly lost her balance.

“What?”

Vannah laughed bringing her hands to her mouth. “He asked me tomarry him, and I said yes. Why not? It feels so perfect, and you were right.I’m over at his place most the time now anyway. All I ever think of when we’reapart, is when I’ll be with him again.”

“Same here,” Byron confirmed, and she turned to smile at him.

“I should call my mom.”

“No wait!” Byron looked absolutely panicked now. “I mean trust meI have zero qualms about doing this but, phew!” He clutched his chest.“Telling your parents. Can’t we wait a little? At least until I can get you aring?”

“I don’t need a ring, and you don’t understand. My parents hatefor us to keep anything from them. Especially something this big.”

As adamant as he seemed moments ago, his expression was already softening,and he nodded. “Whatever you want, Savannah, you know I’ll give in. And you’reabsolutely getting a ring. But can we at least wait to tell them in person?Your dad said I was welcome to come down with you tomorrow.”

“Yes.” Those bright eyes went even brighter. “That’sperfect. Everyone will be there.”

That had Byron groaning and holding his hand over his gut like hemight be sick as he took a seat on the sofa. Of course, that made her laugh,and not so nervously now.

“Oh, to be a fly on that wall when you tell them,” Xochitlquipped shaking her head.

“You should come with us,” Vannah said even more excited. “We’renot spending the night. It’s just a day thing. We’ll be back tomorrow night.”

“Yeah,” Byron agreed immediately. “Maybe it’ll soften the blow ifthere’s more unrelated witnesses around.”

“Trust me nothing will hold my dad back from saying what’s on hismind.” That only made him groan more. “But I don’t think he’ll be mad. Worried,that we’re moving way too fast, yes. I’m sure they’ll all be. This is prettyinsane but as long as me and you are so sure about it.” She took a seat nexthim and cuddled up against him. “And the more I think about it, the surer I am.”She kissed him softly running her hand through his hair. “They’ll just have to acceptit.”

Byron let his head fall back on the sofa. “Then maybe we shouldgo and try and get some early shut eye. It’s been a hell of a day, and Ialready know sleep won’t be coming easy tonight.”

The girls made arrangements about the time they’d be there topick Xochitl up, as Vannah put together a bag. All the while going on about howcrazy this was. But Vannah hadn’t lied. The more she thought and talked about it,the more perfect the idea of becoming his wife felt. Now if she could justconvince her family about that, without them getting too crazy.

Byron

The whole way to La Jolla, Byron had practiced his deepbreathing to no avail. He was still a nervous wreck. Savannah had been assuringhim since the night before that this wouldn’t be so bad. Sure, the initialshock of it would be a doozy, but they’d eventually move on to big fat Morenowedding planning. Savannah had agreed to let him be the one who asked her parentsfor their blessing, before announcing it to everyone else. It’s why they’darrived hours before her mother had said the festivities would be starting.

Once again, her sister had run out before they’d even gotten outof the car. As soon as Savannah was out of the car there was no shortage ofsquealing and hugging as if Savannah had just returned from a military tour,after being gone for years. Her parents and her brothers were in thekitchen still finishing up breakfast when they got in.

“Look who’s here,” Sienna happily announced, as they all walkedinto the kitchen her arm still latched in Savannah’s.

“Happy birthday, mom.”

Her mom was instantly on her feet. “Come here.” She walked towardSavannah arms wide open. “You gave us such a scare yesterday.”

“I know. I’m sorry I ruined your birthday.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.” She touched Savannah’s face,before hugging her again. “I’m just glad my baby’s okay.”

Baby?

Byron gulped, as her mom came around and hugged him and Xochitltoo. She tapped his arm with a knowing look. “I heard how worried you wereabout her too yesterday, and about what you said to her father. Makes megrateful she has you so close.”

“I meant every word I said.” He glanced at Savannah knowing she’dlook confused, since he hadn’t shared with her everything he and her father haddiscussed. He cleared his throat, because he figured he had to get this over with,and this felt like as good a time as any. “That said, after what happenedyesterday, I realized just how much she means to me, and uh . . .”

He was distracted momentarily by Xochitl taking a seat at thecenter island, as if getting ready for the show. Savannah slipped her hand inhis, glancing up at him with an encouraging smile.

Byron turned back to her parents who were still watching himintently. “I told her that