He came to me and cupped my cheek. “Hear me out, and then we’ll drop it until we get back to Nashville.”
I nodded and stepped into his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“I’m feeling every bit of fear and anxiety that your parents are. Even in a sanctioned environment, this is not a safe location right now. But, it’s more than that. I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you. It would absolutely kill me, Devon. I finally have you in my life in the way that was meant to be. We have a future, something I’ve dreamed about since you kissed me the night of my graduation. I’ve already told you how I felt the year and half we were apart. Now I have everything— I mean everything—coming together. If something happened to you, I wouldn’t survive.”
Tears pooled in my eyes as I looked up and felt his pain. “I’ll be safe, promise.”
“You’re going to go anyway, aren’t you?”
“Can we talk about it later? I’ll email my professor and tell him I need to think it through. Quinn will do the same. We can both give him our answers sometime next week. It’s an amazing experience to turn down. Don’t make me feel selfish for wanting this.”
There was an inner turmoil in his expression until he finally grinned and leaned down to kiss me briefly. “Wouldn’t want my fiancée to feel selfish. We’re officially dropping the subject until I have backup to talk some sense into you.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to argue about siding with my parents, but I decided to take the reprieve and save my logic for the whole firing squad. Most likely the same firing squad that would be waiting in my parents’ living room the minute we got home.
Bryce went to get our stuff ready for the beach, and I took advantage of the privacy to call Quinn. She wasn’t surprised at everyone’s reactions because she was receiving the same from her parents and Dean. We made a quick plan, which included her doing massive research while I frolicked on the beach with my fiancé. Her suggestion was to fuck his brains out until he was too tired to argue. I liked her idea.
Bryce reaches over and squeezes my knee before linking his fingers through mine. “You nervous?” His smooth voice breaks me out of my trance.
“Yes.”
“I can tell. Your hand is sweating. Relax, Devon. Things will be fine.”
My eyes grow wide as I stare at him in disbelief. I was prepared for him to pounce the minute we drove into the city. His relaxed attitude is throwing me off.
“Fine? Do you know what I’m probably walking into? WE are walking into? I know you may not like my decision to go to Israel, but I expect you to respect it. Especially with my parents about to go berserk. Nate too. He may be your best friend, but I’m going to be your wife, and we need to establish boundaries right now. He’s always been protective, but he forbid—”
“Devon, take a breath,” he interrupts. “It’s going to be FINE. We’re not walking into an ambush. I’ve already had a discussion with Nate. He’s not going to get in your face about this. Tonight is about our homecoming and figuring out our schedule. We’ll worry about the rest later.”
I blink hard and shake my head to make sure I’m not asleep and imagining this. Bryce may be a master at conflict resolution, but there’s no way he’s going to calm my family. I’d bet my car that they’ve been stewing over this since we hung up the telephone. By now, my mom’s likely planned a way to force me home for the summer, so she can watch my every move.
“Baby, are you insane?”
“Yes, insane about you, and I put my foot down. Told Nate to get everyone’s shit together and let us have a nice night. Tomorrow, we can work through the details and the discussions. They agreed.”
My shoulders relax as I lean over and kiss him on the cheek. “And that is why I love you so much, Mr. Randolph.”
He smiles and turns into my parents’ driveway. I giggle when I spot Quinn’s car in the mix. She texted this morning and promised we were prepared to argue like professionals when our families tried to shut down our trip.
As soon as the car is stopped, the front door flies open, and Quinn comes barreling out, running directly to me. Before I can speak, she squeezes me until the air leaves my lungs.
“No mention of Israel.”
“Bryce said they’re leaving it alone tonight. We’re safe,” I wheeze, trying to breathe.
She steps away and scans my face. Then she breaks out in a wide smile and kisses my cheek loudly. “Glad you’re home.”
“Hey, Quinn, how’s it going?” Bryce comes around the car and smirks at her.
“Very funny, lover boy. I’m still mad at you for leaving me behind.” She huffs, crossing her arms.
“Believe me, this was not a trip for mixed company.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and she fakes gagging.
Bryce wraps his arm around my shoulders and leads us to the house.
“About time you guys got here. I’m starving!” Nate yells when we walk in.
My dad pulls me into a hug while shaking Bryce’s hand. Bryce’s parents, Karen and Steve, greet us next in the same way. I slip away when I spot Quinn’s parents, Michelle and Paul, standing in the middle of the room, smiling.