Page 31 of With Us

I removed my aviators and looked out the window at a gorgeous house. There was a huge, well-kept lawn, all the bushes were neatly trimmed, and the garden popped with an abundance of color. Like something straight out of Suburbia Digest, some kids ran out from the backyard, laughing and chasing each other. They halted to a stop and took off inside. I almost expected to see a kid on his bike delivering the newspaper, a milkman, and an ice cream truck.

Pulling my phone from my bag, I glanced up again and did a double take. There were people in the open doorway, looking toward the SUV. Scanning to the side, I saw there were a few in the big window, too. The car’s windows were too tinted for them to see me, but that didn’t seem to stop them from trying.

Maybe I should drive somewhere else before calling Theo.

Just as I was about to put the car into drive, someone moving caught my attention. I looked over to see Theo making his way across the lawn toward me, with a big, dimpled smile on his face. In well fitted jeans and a soft heather gray tee, I’d never seen him so casual.

It was a good look.

It also made me feel more comfortable with my choice of cuffed dark jeans, a light green V-neck tee, and my green ballet flats. Although the temperature was only in the mid-sixties, the humidity was out of control, so I’d pulled my hair into a loose French braid.

Sliding my shades back on, I climbed out of the SUV and met him on the sidewalk. “No scratches or dents,” I bragged, handing him back his keys.

He pocketed them before pulling me close for a kiss. It was quick, just enough to tease and remind me of the night before.

The man knew how to kiss, but it was more than that. I’d never lost myself in a kiss before. I’d never let myself lose control and live strictly in the moment, turning off all thoughts except what I was feeling. When he’d kissed me, it’d been easy to forget where we were.

“The drive go okay?” Theo asked, putting his arm around my shoulders as we started for the house.

“Yeah, but I thought I had the wrong address. Where are we?”

I nearly stumbled when he said, “My parents’ place.”

Though I kept my footing,barely, I did stop. “What was that?”

“It’s a cookout.”

“What? I can’t go in there.” Mortified, I turned to face him, clutching his shirt at his chest as I craned my neck to look at him. “I didn’t bring a bottle of wine or a dish to pass or anything. Why didn’t you tell me where we were going?”

“Would you have come?”

“No, of course not.”

“Exactly.” He moved his hands to my waist, giving me a reassuring squeeze. “I brought four bottles of wine fromus. And, honestly, you could’ve brought pasta salad made by the ghost of Julia Child and it wouldn’t have made a difference. My family is just interested in meeting you.”

“That isn’t helping.”

I didn’t like feeling kept in the dark. Not that people actually enjoyed it, but I extra hated it. Even when it was a good secret for someone, like a birthday present or a surprise party, I’d never been able to understand how they’d get enjoyment from it.

Theo’s reasoning was almost thoughtful, but I still hated feeling tricked.

From the flash of regret on his face, he could tell, too.

I can do this.

Small talk. I can do small talk. Keep it superficial, don’t embarrass Theo, and be charming and funny.

Sure, no big deal.

“How many people are here?” I asked.

“Not everyone could make it. Only twenty-seven, but that’s including the kids.”

Only? Oh, is that all?

Prying my fists from his shirt, he kissed them before entwining his fingers with mine. “I’m sorry for not telling you. If you aren’t ready, I can make up an excuse and say you got called into work. They’ll get it.”

I hadn’t anticipated meeting his parents so quickly, let alone his extended family.

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