Page 32 of Hold Your Breath

Micah laughs. “Oh no, Carol will be downstairs with her sister in no time, planning out how many kids you two will have. It’s all they do every year, talk about who will have more children, or who is getting married.”

“I better get dressed and face the music.”

Jace already has my clothes laid out on the bed—he has the best style out of us all, and I have never gone to a family gathering before. Jace isn’t close to his family, and I have none. I think it’s why we have been pushing to meet Micah’s, hoping for the family we both missed out on.

Once I’m dressed, we make our way downstairs. Micah leads us over to his father and Carol.

“Dad, I would like you to meet Jace and Zac.”

Carol’s eyes widen. “It is finally nice to meet you both. Micah never invites his friends over. I am so sorry I walked in on you and my Willow.”

“It’s so nice to meet you.” Jace holds his hand out to Micah’s father. “We have heard so much about you.”

“All good things I hope,” his father jokes.

“Oh my goodness, who are these handsome young men?” a woman who must be in her mid-to late-thirties asks as she joins us.

“This is my sister Angie, and she has no manners.”

“I have manners, but good-looking young men are simply scarce. You should set them up with someone from the gold club. Marnie’s daughter is single.”

I snort, and Micah growls. “There is no need. None of us are single.”

Micah’s tone is a little snappy, but he gets his point across.

Willow finally joins us, and I take her in as she enters the room in her dress, Jace’s denim jacket, and her cute little buns.

Jace elbows me. “Doesn’t she look beautiful?”

All I can do is nod, but Angie scoffs. “She needs to be mindful there are children around. Her boobs are out.”

“Respectfully, her boobs are amazing. I wish we could see more.” I wink at her and walk toward Willow. She smiles as I reach her, and I decide to give her family a show. “Your aunt is a bitch,” I whisper, “but let’s give her something to complain about.”

I plant a kiss on her lips and lean her back, holdingmy hand under her leg like one of those kisses you see in the movies until someone clears their throat. We break apart, and Micah and Jace are by our side.

“I think we need to hide for a bit,” Jace says with a laugh.

“No way, we need to give them one more thing to gossip about,” Micah retorts, wrapping his arm around Jace and pulling him to his side as he kisses his temple, then we all laugh and walk away.

The rest of the morning goes the same way. Micah decided he would do small touches, kisses on our temples, and brushes of our fingers. He is just waiting for someone to say something. By the time lunch is set up, their entire family is here. Micah and Willow’s parents, Willow’s aunt, her husband—the poor guy has barely said two words and looks too scared to contribute anything—and their children, though I’m not exactly sure which ones are theirs or how many. I also met a second aunt who seems okay, and her husband, who is very boisterous, and some of the children belong to them. Then there’s a single uncle, and from Micah’s side there is an aunt who looks like a nun. There are also two uncles, their wives, children, and some cousins, but I couldn’t tell you whose side they are from—all I know is there are people everywhere.

Carol has one of the gardens set up with tables and lunch is ready to be served. I sit beside Willow, andMicah sits between Jace and me. Their parents sit across from us, along with Aunt Angie.

Once the food is served, Angie keeps sneaking glances across the table, and I want to throw my fork at her, but that isn’t good table manners.

“So, Willow, how did you find yourself a man who looks like that?”

Ahh, and there it is, the reason Willow is self-conscious. It’s because the women of her family don’t fucking lift her up.

I clear my throat. “I’m the lucky one. Willow is one of the best people I have ever met. And to top it off, she is beautiful.”

Angie tilts her head, the look on her face saying she doesn’t believe me. “How did you meet?”

“It’s a funny story, actually,” Willow starts, as I slip my hand beneath the table and rub circles on her leg with my thumb. “I tied myself to a chair, and called Micah to come and save me.”

“What a good big brother,” Carol gushes, and I suck my lips into my mouth to hold back my laughter.

“The best,” Jace confirms, and I hear Micah kick him under the table.

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