Page 83 of Yours, Unexpectedly

“Elaine,” she corrects.

“Elaine.” He smirks. “I guess we should have let you know sooner that Bex and I are dating now.”

She sniffs dramatically. “A phone call would have been nice. Instead I find out from Gabriel after watching him mope around the house because his best friend has been stolen.” She straightens, a smile plastered back on her face, finger waving lazily between the two of us. “I always knew this was bound to happen, though. Took you both long enough to pull your heads out of your asses.”

I nearly choke. “Excuse me?!”

“Darling, don’t pretend like you haven’t been ogling Anders for years.”

Anders starts to snicker behind me, but Mom quickly turns on him. “You weren’t any better! It’s a wonder more people didn’t notice.”

“Aha!” I shout in victory. At least I wasn’t alone in my feelings, even if we are both just now admitting to it.

Anders slides up behind me, wrapping his arms around my middle and planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek. “Yeah, yeah. I thought you were cute—that is not new information. Can we go inside now?”

“Oh! I’m a terrible hostess. Yes, come in. Anders, the boys are out back with Hugo. You can go help them for a bit while I take Bex to set the table.”

We walk into the main family room and I can see my dad and brothers already gathered on the back deck, smoke wafting up from the grill they are all standing around.

“You good?” I ask, squeezing Anders’ hand before he has a chance to walk away.

“Yeah, I’m good. I’ve known your family for years, I’m not worried.”

“Famous last words.” I give him a quick peck before he heads outside and I follow my mom to the kitchen.

As soon as I walk in, I can see that this is obviously a trap because the table is already completely set, including full water glasses at every place.

My mom turns around and leans up against the kitchen counter, folding her arms across her chest. She looks exactly like she did when I was in high school and she was preparing to give one of her infamous sex lectures. “Rebecca, I feel it is my duty to make sure you are educated on female plea—”

My hands fly up to my ears. “Oh my God! Mom! I’m twenty-two and Anders is not my first boyfriend. I don’t need this talk!” I squeal.

“I only want to make sure that Anders knows how to find the cli—”

“NO! Dear God, no,” I cut in.

“He doesn’t? I did not expect that. I’ll make sure Hugo has a talk with him.”

I groan. “I will say this once and then we are never having this conversation ever again.” I tick things off on my fingers as I go. “One—my pleasure is taken care of, thankyouverymuch.” She starts to open her mouth and I hold my hand up to stop what I know is coming next. “So is his, but I appreciate your concern for him too.” She nods, satisfied with this answer. “Two—I understand you think oral sex is the best sex for preventing pregnancy, but honestly, I can think of much worse things than having Anders’ babies. And three—I promise I will come to you if I ever require your… expertise. Please, please do not bring it up again. Deal?”

“Deal. Although, I will miss making you squirm.” She smiles and holds out her arms. I step into them like I’ve done so many times before, enjoying the warmth that only her hugs can bring. “You love him.”

It’s not a question, so I don’t reply.

“I’m happy for you, mon petit chou,” she whispers into my hair. “Be gentle with each other. You have something special.”

Nodding, I move back out of her embrace. “The guys are out there interrogating him, aren’t they?”

“They absolutely are.” She looks at her watch. “Oh rats, I got through my part too fast. We have ten minutes before we’re allowed to go rescue him. Glass of wine?”

I smile as a wave of gratitude for my insane, and entirely too tight-knit, family washes over me. “Yes, please.”

Turning the corner to the next aisle, I run smack into a petite frame with an ungodly amount of curly hair.

“Fuck! Ouch! What the—”

Bex looks up and finally sees who she ran into.

My mask slides into place. “Baby Bardot. How are you?”

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