Updated Feb 25, 2026 • ~4 min read
POV: Gabi
“My mom wants to meet you.”
Nix looks up from his coffee.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. She’s been asking for weeks.”
“When?”
“Sunday dinner. If you’re free.”
He grins.
“Meeting the parents. That’s a big step.”
“Is that a yes?”
“That’s a hell yes.”
Sunday comes.
I’m nervous.
“What if she doesn’t like you?”
“Then I’ll win her over with my charm.”
“You’re very confident.”
“I’m very motivated.”
We pull up to my mom’s house in Tacoma.
Mom opens the door before we knock.
“Mija!”
She hugs me.
Marissa is right behind her.
“About time you brought him,” my sister says, grinning.
Mom turns to Nix.
Studies him.
“So you’re the man who saved my daughter.”
“I’m the man who loves your daughter. She saved herself.”
Mom smiles.
“Good answer. Come in.”
Dinner is traditional.
Arroz con pollo. Frijoles. Tortillas.
Nix eats everything.
Compliments everything.
Asks Mom about her recipes.
“He’s a keeper,” Mom whispers to me in the kitchen.
Marissa nods from the counter where she’s drying dishes.
“I agree. Don’t let this one go.”
“I know.”
“Brandon never liked my cooking.”
“Brandon was an idiot.”
“Phoenix is different.”
“He really is.”
After dinner, Mom pulls out photo albums.
Baby pictures. School photos. All my embarrassing moments.
“Mom, no—”
“Oh yes,” Nix says, grabbing an album.
He laughs at my braces phase.
My goth phase in high school.
My experimental hair colors in college.
“You were adorable.”
“I was a mess.”
“An adorable mess.”
When we leave, Mom hugs Nix.
“Take care of her.”
“Always.”
NIX
“Your turn,” Gabi says.
“My turn?”
“To introduce me to your family.”
Dread settles in my stomach.
“My family is… complicated.”
“How complicated?”
“My dad’s not in the picture. Mom passed away five years ago. I have a sister but we don’t talk much.”
“Why not?”
I sigh.
“She didn’t approve of my divorce. Thought I gave up too easily.”
“Did you?”
“No. My ex cheated. Repeatedly. I had grounds.”
“Then your sister is wrong.”
“Tell her that.”
“I will. When do I meet her?”
I pull out my phone.
Call my sister.
“Nix? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I’m… I’m seeing someone. Wanted you to meet her.”
Silence.
“You’re seeing someone?”
“Yeah. Her name’s Gabi. She’s amazing.”
“When?”
“This weekend?”
More silence.
“Okay. Saturday. My place.”
GABI
Nix’s sister Alexis lives in Bellevue.
Nice house. Husband. Two kids.
She opens the door.
Looks me up and down.
“You’re Gabi.”
“And you must be Alexis.”
“Come in.”
The energy is tense.
We sit in the living room.
Alexis’s husband—Marcus—makes small talk.
The kids are watching TV.
“So,” Alexis says. “How did you two meet?”
Nix and I exchange glances.
“I hired him. Private investigator. My ex-husband was committing fraud.”
“Oh. The case that was all over the news.”
“That’s the one.”
“So you hired my brother and then… what? Started dating?”
The judgment is clear.
“After the case was closed,” Nix says firmly. “After her divorce was finalized. We did everything by the book.”
“Still seems unprofessional.”
I bristle.
“With all due respect, your brother is the most professional, ethical person I’ve ever met. He helped me when I had no one else. And yes, we fell for each other. But there’s nothing inappropriate about that.”
Alexis blinks.
“I—”
“He’s been there for me through the worst time of my life. He didn’t take advantage. He waited. He respected boundaries. He’s everything my ex-husband wasn’t to me.”
Nix squeezes my hand.
Warning me to stop.
But Alexis’s expression softens.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I was… projecting.”
“It’s okay—”
“No. It’s not. Nix is a good man. If he loves you, you must be special.”
I smile.
“I think he’s pretty special too.”
The rest of the visit goes better.
Alexis warms up.
We talk. Laugh. The kids show us their toys.
When we leave, Alexis hugs me.
“Take care of my little brother.”
“I will.”
In the car, Nix is quiet.
“You okay?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For defending me. For standing up to my sister.”
“She was being unfair.”
“Still. You didn’t have to.”
“Yes I did. Because I love you. And nobody talks about you like that.”
He pulls over.
Kisses me.
“I love you so much.”
“Love you too.”
END OF CHAPTER 23
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