Page 32 of With Us

Actually, I hadn’t anticipated meeting them at all.

It wasn’t an indication of my feelings for him or the future. It was another byproduct of not having my own family. It was easy to forget it was a typical occurrence for most people. The same thing happened when people talked about calling or emailing their parents when they had a problem or good news to share. I couldn’t relate to always having someone to share with, or having any kind of permanent connection or safety net.

My life pretty much began and ended with me.

Which could be even sadder and lonelier than it sounded.

Still, meetingthe familywas a big step. It definitely made things feel like more than a casual-having-fun kind of thing. I was surprised, but the good kind that made those butterflies in my stomach go wild.

I forced a smile, shaking my head. “No, it’s okay. Let’s go.”

Before I change my mind and literally run all the way home.

After kissing me again, he kept hold of my hand as we walked toward the door. “Now that you’ve already agreed and you’re stuck, I can give you the rundown.”

I tried not to hyperventilate. “Okay…”

“No one wears big gold chains or track suits, and no one has ever said ‘fuhgeddaboudit’ or ‘bada bing’. Only my Aunt Gracie has big hair, but that’s because she’s still clinging to the eighties. A few older relatives are Catholic, but the rest of us aren’t, so no crosses or patron saints of whatever decorate the house. No one is Jersey Shore orange. We all like Italian food because it’s delicious, but it isn’t all anyone cooks. Ma’s actually on a curry kick right now, so expect at least two dishes to have it.”

“I like curry.”

“Good.” He slowed his steps, lowering his voice. “In most ways, we aren’t stereotypical Italians. But in a few, we are. My family is big and loud. They’re also nosy. I count at least seven sets of eyes on us right now, but there’s probably more. And if they aren’t watching, you can bet someone is running a play-by-play commentary for them.”

I subtly looked up and scanned the house, seeing he was right. A few people seemed to be peeking out from behind the blinds, while others were more blatant.

“They mean well,” he assured me, his tone warm and filled with affection, “but if it’s making you uncomfortable, come find me. Okay?”

It was all more than a little intimidating, like going from a wading pool to jumping in the Atlantic. With so many people there, I didn’t even have time to dip my toes in.

I tried to hide some of my anxiety. “Sounds good.”

He squeezed my hand, muttering, “If they weren’t watching, I’d have you pushed against the side of my car right now.”

“Maybe they looked away?”

His dimples deepened, but his eyes darkened as he looked at me. “I doubt it. But I like that you want it.”

The front door swung open as we reached it. A tall woman with dark features grinned widely, wiping her hands on a towel. Between her looks and the smell of curry wafting from her, there was no doubt who she was.

“Dahlia, this is my mom, Rachelle. Mom, this is Dahlia,” Theo introduced.

Before I could extend my hand, she yanked me into a quick hug. “It’s nice to meet you. Theo’s told us so much about you.”

I thought that was just something people said to be polite, but Theo nodded. “Not that you gave me much of a choice once Luc opened his big mouth.”

Rachelle rolled her eyes with motherly annoyance. “You’d have told me anyway.”

“True,” Theo agreed.

Pangs of envy hit my chest for the first time in a long while. The warmth I felt knowing Theo had told them about me overpowered it, though.

“I’m going to introduce Dahlia to Dad,” Theo said, giving my hand a tug. “Uncle Donny was lingering around the grill, so Dad refused to step away.”

Rachelle looked at me. “Uncle Donny thinks steaks should be cooked well,welldone. All meat, actually. One year, he lit a pile of hot dogs on fire and then tried to serve them.” When I grimaced, she laughed. “That’s when we started having all cookouts here.”

“That doesn’t stop him from trying to take over,” Theo added.

“I’ve got to get back to the kitchen. Go see your dad before he’s tempted to risk leaving the grill.”

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