Nineteen

NINETEEN

Mia

Those pesky nerves returned once again as I stood at Brock's front door with my family waiting in the driveway.

I stopped them before they could get too far and begged them to wait there while I walked up to the door to ask Brock if he'd come out to meet them. This was bound to be humiliating as it was. The last thing I needed was for Brock to feel completely blindsided.

I was met with a look of total surprise when Brock opened the door. "Mia? What are you doing here? I thought your family was visiting you today."

Nodding, I confirmed, "They are. And I'm really sorry about this, but they are just now getting ready to leave to head back home. They wanted to meet you, though. You came up in conversation today. I promise it wasn't anything bad or crazy. In fact, that's probably even more of why they'd like to meet you. If you're busy, I totally understand. Don't worry about?—"

"Where are they?" he asked, cutting me off.

I snapped my lips together, took a step back from him, and lifted my hand to the side to indicate the driveway. From his vantage point, it was unlikely he could see them standing there, but his eyes shifted between me and the direction I was pointing several times, silent questions lingering there.

"I told them to wait there, because I didn't want to just dump them on you with no notice," I explained. "This already feels unreasonable of me to ask you to do."

It shouldn't have come as a surprise given the way he'd always been with me, but Brock's features warmed in a way that indicated this wasn't as big of a deal to him as it was to me. "Let me grab my sneakers."

Brock took less than a minute to slip something on his feet, and the next thing I knew, he had stepped outside, placed a hand on the small of my back, and was urging me away from his front door and toward the driveway, where my family was waiting. I might have attempted to focus on how the next few minutes would go or perhaps where I could lead the conversation after making introductions, but I was entirely too busy being distracted by the shiver that ran along my spine at his touch.

There had been a handful of occasions when Brock and I had made some physical contact. The tensest of those instances, the ones that had my belly doing somersaults, didn't come close to comparing to how having his hand at the small of my back did.

Brock hadn't ever touched me there, and I loved everything about the way it felt. In fact, instead of paying attention to where I was going and what I was about to do, I was thinking about how much I wanted his hand to drift lower, grab my ass, and hold me possessively.

When I glanced up and saw my family just a few paces away, I quickly shook off the naughty thoughts and attempted to come back to reality. While I took in all three of their gazes, it was my father's I was mostly focused on. For some strange reason, I couldn't get a good grasp on what was going through his mind.

Brock and I came to a stop a couple of feet in front of my parents and my brother, and following a brief tension-filled silence, I cleared my throat and said, "Mom, Dad, Alby, this is Brock. Brock, these are my parents, Rick and Mary, and my brother, Albert."

Without hesitating, Brock extended his hand. "It's nice to meet all of you."

"Likewise," my father said as he was the first to shake Brock's hand.

After Brock managed to do the same with my mom and brother, my mom added, "Mia told us you've helped her out around the house recently."

"Ah, just a few small things here and there," Brock confirmed. "Nothing major."

"We appreciate you stepping in to help her, though," Mom maintained.

Brock gave her a nod of understanding in return. "It was no trouble for me at all." He tipped his chin down to look at me, offered a sweet smile, and said, "And I've done my best to make it clear to Mia that she can always ask me for help whenever she needs it."

My heart was hammering against my chest. Why was he looking at me like that with my family standing right here?

"I appreciate you doing that. Thank you," Dad said. "Maybe this is strange to say to someone I've just met, especially when it comes to my daughter's well-being, but based on what Mia has already told us about how you've treated her since she's moved in and the things you've done for her combined with what I'm seeing and hearing now, I feel reassured knowing someone like you is so close by."

Brock's chin dipped slightly. "You're welcome, sir."

That single word, an indication of the respect Brock had for my father, only served to enhance my father's approval of Brock. If only that approval hadn't been for a mere neighbor and friend. If only Brock was something far more special in my life.

"I agree with my dad that it's nice to know you're willing to help Mia, but if I had to guess, getting her to act on taking you up on your offer hasn't been successful, has it?" Albert questioned Brock.

Brock laughed as he wrapped his arm around my back toward my opposite shoulder, where he offered a gentle squeeze. Immediately, air seemed to be in short supply, and my heart continued to race. "It's been a bit challenging. As talkative and bubbly as she is, Mia doesn't seem to like to ask for help."

My dad felt compelled to chime in. "For the longest time, Mary and I prided ourselves on having raised strong, independent children. I always thought it was a good thing, because in many ways, it has led to them both being successful. But Mia has taken that independence to another level. And while I'm proud of her, I'd be lying if I said I'm not terrified, especially being so far away from her."

As I stood there wanting the ground to swallow me whole, Brock didn't hesitate to respond, doing it while his thumb stroked absentmindedly on my shoulder. "I don't know that I'll be the one to change Mia's ways, and if I'm honest, I wouldn't want to do that. She's perfect just like she is, but if it offers you any reassurances as you head back home, I promise I'm always doing what I can to look out for her. Plus, I can promise you that she's in a great neighborhood with a lot of incredible people. And since we're having a block party again in a few days, Mia will be able to meet the rest of the neighbors she hasn't had an opportunity to yet."

My lungs had stopped functioning.

She's perfect just like she is.

Did Brock just tell my family that he thought I was perfect? Why would he do that? Was he just trying to ease their worries, or was he being serious? Most importantly, what did he expect me to do with this information? My family was going to leave, head home, and not be back here until closer to my due date. Didn't Brock understand that I was going to have to face him alone once they left?

How was I supposed to not hear him saying those words over and over in my head for the rest of my life? Nobody had ever said I was perfect—certainly not Todd—yet Brock was just casually admitting that to my family while I was thirty-one weeks pregnant. I didn't know what to do or how to not feel like Brock was everything I could have ever hoped to have in a romantic partner.

Sadly, he wasn't mine. And I was wise enough to understand that he wouldn't ever be. A man like Brock would never settle for being with a woman in my situation. He deserved so much more.

But even if I was aware I'd never be so lucky to have him, it still hurt.

I was stuck trying to ignore the sadness I felt over that while at the same time attempting to forget how much I liked the way it felt to hear him say that I was perfect just like I was. And I was struggling to do that while he and I stood outside in my driveway with my parents and my brother.

Apparently, my family wasn't experiencing any of the same issues as I was, because when I finally snapped out of my stupor and focused my attention on them, I noticed they were all looking a bit more relaxed. The hardness was no longer in my father's features, Alby's entire frame had loosened up, and my mom was smiling brightly while looking like it was taking superhuman effort not to bounce on the tips of her toes.

Before anyone else could say anything, Mom's curiosity got the better of her. "What's this about a block party? Mia, you didn't mention a block party."

I sent an apologetic look her way, placed a hand on my belly, and reasoned, "Pregnancy brain, I guess. Brock told me about it a few months ago, and I've been looking forward to it for a while now. I've been preoccupied with other things on this visit that it totally slipped my mind until he just said something about it. It's happening on the 4 th of July."

"Oh, that sounds like a great way to spend the holiday," Mom reasoned.

"As long as you eat enough and stay hydrated," Albert advised.

Smiling at him, feeling overwhelming love for him and the concern he showed, I promised, "I will."

"And if she's slacking on that, I'll be sure she's taken care of," Brock added.

I didn't know when things had taken this turn for Brock, but I loved the way it made me feel. Sure, I was struggling not to lose it while he was giving me this in front of my parents, but he was doing an excellent job of convincing them they didn't need to worry so much about me being here alone. Of course, once they left, Brock and I would return to the existence we had before, and this magical, heart-warming interaction filled with familiar, tender touches would just be a fleeting memory. I'd long for forever to experience something so wonderful with Brock again.

Shifting his attention to me, my dad said, "I wish we could stay longer for this visit, but that's not an option now if we're going to be here for an extended stay once the baby arrives."

"I know. It's okay. I'm glad we got to spend a few hours together today."

He sighed, his disappointment evident. "Well, we should probably get going if we're going to make it back to Mount Laurel at a reasonable time."

Though I loved the feel of Brock's arm around me, I couldn't just wave to my family and send them on their way. So, I had no choice but to step out of Brock's hold and walk forward to hug my dad. As he wrapped his arms around me, I said, "Thank you for coming here today and bringing the rest of those gifts for the baby."

"We'd do anything for you, Mia."

I moved toward my brother next and gave him a hug. "Thanks for coming along and helping Dad build that changing table, Alby. I hope things are still going well with your new lady by the time this baby arrives and that you can bring her with you to visit next time. I'd love to meet her."

My brother hugged me tightly. "Thanks, Mia. I'll keep you posted as we get closer. You know if you need anything in the meantime to just reach out."

I inclined my head in agreement and promised to do that before turning my attention to my mom. She smiled brightly at me before hugging me like she believed it'd be years before she saw me again. And as she held on, she whispered, "I really love that this guy is here for you, Mia. He's a great man, and he adores you."

My hold on my mom tightened. She wasn't standing here telling me to take care of myself or that she couldn't wait to come back when the baby was here. She was focused on Brock, on what she thought about him and the way she perceived him feeling about me. My heart squeezed, because she'd be devastated when she realized that he really was just a great guy and that there'd never be anything between us.

I couldn't bring myself to speak; I had no idea what to say. So, I remained silent, but that didn't stop my mom from sending a hopeful look my way when she loosened her hold on me.

All I could bring myself to do was smile at her.

Shifting her attention behind me, she said, "It was wonderful to meet you, Brock."

"Likewise."

"We'll be back closer to Mia's due date and will have much more time here," Dad declared. "I think, assuming all goes well with the baby, we'd love to have you join us for dinner one night."

"I'd love nothing more, sir."

Dad smiled proudly just as Albert reached his hand out to Brock once more and said, "Thanks for looking out for my sister. We really appreciate it."

Brock shook Albert's hand and insisted, "You're welcome, but there's really no thanks necessary."

The next thing I knew, my family had piled into their car while I stood in the driveway with Brock beside me. As they backed out, I couldn't miss the looks of contentment on their faces. The worry I'd seen in their expressions when they left after Christmas or when I returned home following a visit to Mount Laurel had been replaced with confidence.

Brock was responsible for giving that to them.

I was already indebted to him for all that he'd been doing for me, and this was just one more thing I was going to need to find a way to show my appreciation for.

Brock and I stood there and waved once my dad had made it to the end of the driveway and backed out completely. Then they drove off, and I tipped my chin up to look at Brock.

"Thank you for what you did today," I said. "You didn't need to take the time to do this, but it gave them some reassurance that I'll be okay until they get back here."

"I think you've got a great family, Mia, and I was happy to meet them. Did you have a good time with them today?"

I smiled at him. "I did. It wasn't nearly enough time, but it was all well spent and very enjoyable. And I know I mentioned this before, but it needs repeating. I promise I only had good things to say about you when I inadvertently brought you up in conversation."

He laughed. "That was nice of you to do. I'm just glad they were receptive to the idea of me."

"Are you kidding? They weren't just receptive to the idea of you. They liked you before they even met you. I don't think they would have left here until they had the opportunity to speak with you."

"Well, then I'm grateful to you for saying such good things about me."

I shrugged. "I only told them the truth. You're a good guy, Brock. And I'm lucky to have you as a friend."

Something changed in his expression. I wasn't quite sure what it was, but there was a very obvious shift. "Yeah. Well, I guess that goes both ways. I think you're a great girl."

His voice sounded strange, different than I could ever remember hearing it. Was it bad? I didn't know. And sadly, I was entirely too afraid to ask.

I allowed us to stand there in silence for several tense moments. Then, I tipped my chin up in appreciation and said, "Back to work tomorrow."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and a look that I pegged as being frustrated took form. "Yep."

This was getting more and more awkward by the second. "I should probably head in and get a few things done before dinner and bed."

He hummed in response. "Yeah, sure. Okay. Well, have a good night, Mia. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah. You, too."

With that, Brock and I walked off in separate directions, each of us heading to our own homes, and something about it felt so wrong after all that he'd made me feel just minutes earlier.