I scowled at all the lace underwear Florencio bought me and hid in my suitcase. I don't know what he thought we were going to do in Oregon. It was my moms wedding this weekend, not a honeymoon. Just to tease him, I packed a few.

"So exciting, isn't it!?" Mom beamed. Although it was still Wednesday, Friday seemed crazily close.

I nodded and rolled my suitcase next to hers by the front door. I played with the piece of paper in my pocket that was supposed to be my speech.

"When is Florencio getting here? Our plane leaves at eight and it's nearly six-thirty!" She frowned, her happy mood deflating. "It's hard to have faith in your bad boy boyfriend when he can't even pick us up on time!" She paced, clawing her eyes out.

My eyes widened. "Mom, what the hell is even coming out of your mouth right now?" The past month, she made this effort to get to know me. It was nice to feel somewhat comfortable around her now. Along with the new comfortableness, my tongue was looser.

"Are you sure you guys got back together? Did you lie to me? Since you're lying, where'd you get the money to pay for our plane tickets and your own hotel room? Did you steal something?" She spewed question after question, her face red with frustration.

The doorbell rang.

"Thank god," I breathed, going to the door and opening it. "Hi," I greeted Florencio.

He kissed my cheek chastely. "Good morning, honey."

"Florencio!" Mom shirked from behind us. "Is there a reason you're late?"

He leaned in quickly one more time to bite the tip of my nose before going around me to face bridezilla. I rubbed my nose to get rid of the sting.

"Grace, I'm so sorry," Florencio apologized. His voice held sincerity, but I knew that face. He was making fun of her right to her face. "You see Sam, my best friend who's driving my car back home, had some digestive problems this morning—"

She made a face that held pure disgust. "Whatever. I'm just glad you're here now." She grabbed her luggage and clothes bag, taking it to his car.

Florencio raised an eyebrow while holding his arms out. I hugged him, melting in his arms.

He threw an annoyed look over his shoulder.

I laughed. "Don't worry," I teased I won't be like that. Ever. I'd love to hear all about Sam's digestive problems." He cracked a smile. "See, we're different."

"I love you," he murmured, reaching up to caress my cheek.

Kissing his soft lips I said, "I—"

"Is there a reason you're taking so long!"

I practically flew to the other side of the room. My face flushed with embarrassment.

Mom looked between us both. "Well? I don't want to talk to Dan anymore. He asked me how old I was."

Walking to Florencio's side, I elbowed him. "Tell Dan to watch his mouth."

He looked stressed. "I'll take your stuff to the car."

I followed him and got in the backseat with Sam. Mom and Florencio could talk. Or just sit in silence. I honestly just wanted to see what they'd do sitting next to each other.

"Hi, cutie," Sam said.

"Hey, Dan."

He nudged me, groaning. "Not you too!"

I stifled a laugh. "It's what you deserve. I can't believe you asked my mom how old she was!"

"Well you're so young and she's so young—I don't know! I wanted to ask." He shrugged. I let myself smile.

"Sam, I love you." I reached over and punched his shoulder.

His face brightened. "Love you too, Parker."

-

"First class is awfully expensive," Mom rambled from behind us. Florencio glanced at me. He was rolling moms suitcase and his. The look on his face told me he wanted to pull his hair out.

Florencio led us to our seats and put our luggage in the overhead. "It was my pleasure, Grace."

"Why isn't my seat right behind you guys?" My mom was three sets of seats behind us.

This time, Florencio ignored mom. I gave her a smile, hoping she'd drop it. Florencio wasn't too enthusiastic about coming to the wedding, I knew he wasn't about to have my mom so close to us. It's horrible, but I honestly didn't mind it.

Finally, we settled into our seats and immediately Florencio closed his eyes.

I ran a hand through his hair. "Thank you for picking us us, for the tickets, and the room. You didn't have to."

He grabbed my hand and kissed my palm. "It's alright. I wanted to."

"You wanted to wake up at five in the morning and spend, oh gosh, I don't even know how much money?"

The look in his eyes was painful. "Don't remind me." When my face fell face, he sat up straighter. "It was nothing, Parker. Know that. You think I batted an eye when I bought my Ferrari?"

Still frowning I asked, "You have a Ferrari?"

Chuckling he said, "not my fault that we've been together half a year and you haven't asked to see my garage yet."

I crossed my arms and sat back in my seat. He stroked my arm until I gave him my hand again.

"Parker, I really wanted to do this. I love you and you deserve the best."

"It's just a plane ride," I hushed. "When I talked to Felix last week I think he felt... inefficient."

He shrugged. "Hey, I let him pay for your moms hotel room."

I took a deep breath and found a way to let it go. I was being ridiculous. "Okay." I kissed his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too. Now stop talking, I woke up at five." He closed his eyes before he could see my annoyed face.

At the airport Felix picked us up. Mom ran into his arms, kissing him. She dropped her luggage on the way and I picked it up. She looked so happy, I couldn't get angry.

When they let each other go, Felix hugged me. "Parker! I'm so glad you're here."

Patting his back awkwardly, I smiled widely. "Yeah, me too."

Felix pulled back. "I'm so glad you're all here. How about me and, uh, Florencio put the luggage in the car."

Me and mom watched them put the stuff in the car. Felix put a hand on Florencio's shoulder and he laughed. What were they talking about?

"I don't like the look on their faces," Mom said. I hummed, agreeing. "Let's break them up. I'm dying to get out of this parking lot."

In the car, Felix and mom held hands over the center console. Her diamond ring shone. Florencio hanging up the phone caught my attention.

"Who was that?" I asked, still distracted. Mom leaned over to kiss Felix's chin and he turned the last second, catching her mouth. Mom laughed and turned on the radio.

"I'm having a rental car driven to the hotel," he told me.

I nodded. "Okay. What kind of car?"

He pinched my sides and I held in a squeal. "Not a Ferrari," he teased me. I smiled and leaned into his side, hugging his arm.

"You're the best for dealing with all this," I whispered in his ear. "I know my mom isn't your favorite because of how she treats me, but I can handle her. Always."

Before going to the hotel, we stopped at Felix's restaurant. "Let me treat you guys to lunch." Mom and him got out of the car excitedly.

I squeezed Florencio's hand. "Sorry, I know you're tired."

He kissed me. "I slept on the plane. It's alright." He was being such a good sport, my heart did the thing where it jumped around in my chest.

We entered the restaurant and sat down at a booth. This restaurant was decorated with more pops of color than the one in California. After we ordered, we entered a comfortable silence. Florencio was leaning onto my shoulder and I lightly tapped my fingers on his knee under the table, hoping it'd keep him awake.

"So, Florencio," Felix started. "How's the business?"

Florencio sighed heavily and I looked at him, concerned. "It's going well, just a little slow."

A frown took over Felix's face. "Oh, sorry to hear that. It happens."

"Yeah, but I've been planning this for the past month though. I think I'll be fine."

Planning? Planning what?

"Planning for a downfall? That bad?" Felix grimaced.

"No, no. I think it's time I move on to other things."

"Selling the business?"

"Something like that." Florencio grinned when he saw my face.

"What are you talking about?" I whispered to him.

Felix laughed. "Didn't consult the wife first?"

Mom choked on an ice cube and Florencio's hand on my thigh tightened tremendously and I hissed. Mom bumped shoulders with Felix aggressively. "She's nineteen!" She exclaimed. "Felix don't say stuff like that!"

Thankfully the torture didn't go on long because the appetizers arrived. Florencio dodged my questions all afternoon. I'd get the information out of him before this week was over. For now, I stayed quiet and gave him the side eye. Right after we finished our salads, our meals were brought out. Me and mom got different types of club sandwiches, Florencio orders pasta, and Felix had a hamburger.

Felix cleared his throat after taking a drink of water. "Parker you're just going to love my sister. She's twenty three, so you guys will probably have a lot in common. Her name is Alice."

"Really? I'm excited to meet her and your whole family," I said genuinely.

"They'll love you." His face was flushed. "I just know it."

Mom raised an eyebrow at me. "I'm sure they will. Parker is quite the social butterfly."

Florencio laughed beside me. That was very untrue.

"Well, I get it from you," I replied cheekily to her. We were both probably the most shy people on earth when it came to talking to people.

She smiled, annoyed. "Yeah."

Felix and Florencio didn't know her well enough to know right now she was pissed. Oh, how dare I embarrass her!?

Finally we finished eating and on the way to the hotel.

"I'll be hanging out with you everyday and today of course," Felix promised mom. He kissed her forehead. "I can't wait to marry you on Friday, Grace. I love you."

"Me too. I love you, Felix." They kissed before they joined us walking into the lobby.

"Are you serious?" I asked Florencio as he rushed us into an elevator. "We're on different floors?"

"I told Felix exactly where we were staying. This is on him," he explained. "Come on, I'm not lying. Before he told me he'd pay for her room, she was two doors down from us."

I couldn't help but smile a little. "I guess I believe you." Florencio grinned and grasped my waist and started to tickle me. "No, no!" I tried to slip out of his hold. "S-stop!" I laughed so hard, my breaths came out stuttered. "Florencio!" Leaning in, I kissed him. He immediately stopped and kissed me back. I pulled back and bit his cheek.

His eyebrows scrunched up. "What was that for?"

The doors opened and I walked out, searching for our room. "For biting my nose earlier, lips, chin, cheek, finger—the list goes on and on."

We stopped in front of our room door and he unlocked it. "I can't help I always want to eat you." Blushing, I entered the room. I was relieved to see it was a regular room and not something crazy.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket. It was a text from mom.

Me and Felix are going to say hi to his family. Come with us. Now. Hurry up. Meet you in the lobby.

I made a noise that had Florencio looking at me with worry. "You up for one more thing?"

He flopped on the bed. "Mmh."

I crawled on the bed and straddled his back. "Please. We have to go meet Felix's family. This will be new for me too. I need you there." He mumbled something into the sheets. I rubbed his back. "I want to introduce you to everyone," I tried to convince him. "Here's what I'll say, Hi, I'm Parker and this is my handsome boyfriend Florencio. He's really smart and can speak Spanish! How many people are bilingual? Not a lot. He also kisses really good—"

Florencio got up and I fell off him and on my back on the mattress. He laid his head down on my stomach. "Of course I'm going with you. Can I use the bathroom first?" He joked.

I ran my hands through his hair and satisfaction filled me when he groaned. "Yes. Just hurry up before my mom kills you."

We made it down to the lobby twenty minutes later and mom grabbed my chin, poking my swollen lips. Before we left the room, Florencio said he needed something to keep him going through the day. That something just happened to be pressing me against the wall and kissing me until I couldn't breathe.

"Mom," I hushed. "Stop it."

"Look at your mouth. Sinful," she muttered, letting me go and walking out the hotel with Felix.

Florencio grabbed my hand and said, "How could you let someone do that to you? Kissing you like that. Sinful."

I laughed. "I'll make sure to tell my boyfriend your concerns." He kissed me once more then we joined mom and Felix in the car.

Felix's "family home" was a beautiful two story cabin surrounded by the greenest trees I'd ever seen. I felt like I was transported into some magical land. I wouldn't be surprised if a deer came out of no where and nodded towards me.

We walked up the steps to the obviously custom made carved wooden door. Felix knocked loudly.

The door opened and a beautiful blonde hair woman stood there. She was dressed nicely in a blue blouse and white skinny jeans, complimented with blue high heels.

"Grace, Felix!" She hugged them both. "So good to see you guys." She led us inside. It was grand, expertly decorated, and overall just the most amazing home I'd ever been in.

"Oh, you must be Parker. I'm Hailey," she introduced herself.

"Hello, nice to meet you, Mrs. Weston your house is beautiful." I stuck my hand out and she took it, giving me a firm shake.

"Thank you and call me Hailey. Who is this?" She directed her gaze to Florencio.

"This is my boyfriend Florencio," I said, my cheeks glowing with pride.

"Nice to meet you." He shook her hand confidently and Hailey grinned.

"I like a man who works with his hands," she complimented him, squeezing his hand hard.

"Daddy!" We heard a kid yell. Aaron ran into the room and hugged Felix. Felix picked him up and spun him around.

"My boy! I missed you." He kissed his cheek and put him down.

"Come on," Aaron whined, tugging on Felix's hand. "Let's hang out on the patio." Felix chuckled and let Aaron drag him and mom to the patio.

Hailey locked arms with Florencio and we began walking to the patio. "You're a very handsome man," She gushed. "Now, Florencio is a very unique name. What is your, your, uh—"

Florencio chuckled. "Mrs. Weston it's alright. I was originally born in Mexico and then I was adopted and brought here." It never occurred to me Florencio had had this type of conversation before.

"How exciting! Do you speak Spanish."

"Sí, Señora." He grabbed her free hand and kissed it. "Tu casa es muy hermosa."

Hailey bubbled with happiness. "Really? No one ever mentions the house. My husband built it from the ground up!"

I scoffed quietly and Florencio turned around quickly, winking at me.

Out on the patio, I met Daren, Hailey's husband and Felix's father, Alice his sister, and Felix's two uncles, Joe and Hank. They were all extremely nice. I felt welcomed and giddy because I was surrounded by people I liked. Hailey didn't leave Florencio's side. Her pretty hands held Florencio's bicep.

He sent me uncomfortable looks every time Hailey talked to him.

"Hi, Parker," Aaron said. He was sitting on floor playing with legos and not on the luxurious sectional.

"How are you doing, Aaron?" I asked him, resting my elbows on my knees.

He shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not excited about having a new mommy."

I glanced up and thanked god mom was on the other side of the couch. "Well I'm not excited about having a new dad," I told him, pointing my chin in the air. I prayed this way of approaching the situation worked.

Aaron looked up slowly from him legos. "Why? My daddy is the best in the whole world."

"He is? Then why am I not excited?"

He paused for a minute, then, "I miss my real mommy. She moved away when her and daddy broke up."

I nodded solemnly. "I don't really remember my dad," I said carefully. "But I miss what could've been."

"Is Grace nice?" Aaron asked, his face a little red after what I said. Even if he didn't acknowledge it, I knew he felt the same.

"Me and her aren't always happy together, but she loves you and your dad. She's not replacing your mom though, don't worry. She just wants to be your friend."

"Really?"

"I promise."

"Do you promise to like my daddy?"

I smiled. "Yes."

Aaron nodded swiftly then stood up, walking up to my mom. He said something to her and she grinned, pulling him onto her lap. He laughed and leaned into her chest.

Alice got up and sat next to me. "Don't take it too personally that Hailey isn't all over you. She just thinks Florencio is handsome. Which he is, nice going."

"Thanks," I laughed. "He's really great. I'm glad your mom likes him."

"She's about to touch his shoulder," Alice said, pointing towards them. She was right, Hailey was about to place a hand on Florencio's shoulder but he grabbed her hand, securing it.

"He's not used to this kind of thing," I explained. Neither was I. "I hope his... obvious non-affectionate attitude doesn't come off as mean."

Alice shook her head. "God, no. It's fine, really. My mom is just crazy. Poor dad," she sighed.

Hailey leaned against Florencio and he looked over at Daren worriedly. I bit my lip to keep from cackling.

The rest of the evening went smoothly. Florencio managed to escape Hailey and wouldn't leave my side. He kissed me a couple times, catching me by surprise.

"Hailey needs to know I'm taken," He murmured, biting my lip. I gasped, moving my head away from him completely. I caught Hailey staring and she had a knowing smile on. When it was time to leave, Hailey hugged me tightly and expressed how excited she was to be family.

"You're such a nice girl," Hailey said, lightly running her hands through the ends of my hair. "I'm happy I get to be your grandma." She unfastened the delicate silver cross necklace around her neck and placed it on mine. "There's five diamonds embellished down the center." I looked down at the shiny rocks.

"Oh, Hailey this is beautiful. I can't take this." I thumbed the most expensive piece of jewelry I'd ever worn.

"Take it. No buts." She kissed my cheek. "Now get along. You've had a long day."

At the hotel room, Florencio brushed his teeth and I did so too. I curled into his arms and he wrapped an arm around my back, holding me closely. I laid my head on his chest and he sighed.

"I missed you," Florencio said.

"We've spent the whole day together." I closed my eyes, exhausted.

He squeezed my arm. "We were with other people and Hailey took me away from you."

I giggled. "I'm all yours right now and tomorrow before and after the rehearsal dinner. Friday is the wedding, and then Saturday we're having breakfast at the cabin and Sunday we're going home. Of course mom and Felix will be on their honeymoon." He hummed at our plans.

"This is nice," he whispered, his body relaxing with sleep. "Just laying here with you, falling asleep." He kissed the top of my head. "I love you so much, Parker. Right here with you is the best feeling in the world. You're all I need."