Page 108 of Choosing a Forever
I didn’t ask them to, but they both wanted to look a little nicer for dinner, so they’re in dresses they wear when they have presentations or choir performances. Kinsley told me my dress made my waist look “snatched,” so I’m feeling pretty good about myself.
The look in Tal’s eyes helps boost my confidence, too. Pure adoration with a smidge of lust. I swear, my libido has been higher in the last twenty-four hours than ever before, and I’m already ready to get out of here so I can make love to my husband.
The front door opens, and Laurie bends down to give Siren scratches, talking in a baby voice about how much she missed her and how she has special treats for her. Siren’s tail wags rapidly, eating up the attention. Laurie tries to guide her inside, but Siren turns around and sits at my feet, like she knows I need a little boost of support.
Laurie stands and nervously wipes her hands on her apron as her eyes bounce between Talmage and our intertwined hands.
“It’s good to see you, Talmage. Mackenzie. Please, come in.”
Talmage follows his mom in, dragging me behind him, and I motion for the twins to follow. We slip off our shoes just inside the door, Siren never leaving my side.
I bend down to give her a kiss on the head, whispering, “I’m okay, girl. You wanna go outside?”
She pants, tilting her head like she’s assessing me before she quietly huffs and saunters around the room, giving everyone else a warm greeting.
Talmage clears his throat. “Thomas, Lauren, Tim, Lacey, this is my wife, Mack, and her sisters, Kinsley and Harper.”
The twins and I wave, and Lacey bounces over to me. “Hi! Welcome to the family. I’m so happy you’re here.” Wow, she’s energetic. I love it. “I know Harper from the musical! Do you guys want to come listen to the new Wes Jones song with me?” she asks the twins.
Harper and Kinsley look to me for an answer, and when I nod my head, they smile and follow Lacey down the hall.
“Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes, girls! Please be out by then,” Laurie shouts after them, shaking her head. “I don’t like that she’s listening to Wes Jones. He’s got tattoos, and his ears are pierced and—” Laurie’s eyes widen, and she clamps her mouth shut. “I just think he’s too old for them.”
I internally roll my eyes.Good to know she hasn’t changed too much.
Tal clears his throat. “Well, if he’s good enough for Elli to marry, he can’t be that bad of a person. His music is really good, Mom. You should listen to the song he wrote for Elli. It’s beautiful.”
My jaw drops open. “Your cousin is married toWes Jones?! Why didn’t I know?”
Tal’s eyes light up with humor. “They’re not married yet, but yeah. The wedding is supposed to be sometime next year, I think. My other cousin is married to Morgan Fowler.”
I scrunch my nose. “Am I supposed to know who he is?”
“He’s a famous football player. Played for the Denver Mustangs.”
I can’t help the unladylike snort that comes out of me. “Do I look like a sports fan?”
“No. And I love that about you.” He leans in for a kiss but must snap back to reality and remember where we are because he focuses back on his mom. “Do you need any help with dinner?”
Laurie’s eyes—a darker blue than Talmage’s—volley between us again, wide and curious. Like she’s unsure what to make of our relationship.
“No, no. I’m just waiting on the rolls to be done. I hope there are no dietary restrictions, I forgot to ask.” She sounds almost… sheepish.
“Harper has diabetes, but she’ll just need to input what we’re eating so she can get the right amount of insulin,” Talmage supplies before I can. Did he research? How does he know that?
“Oh. I’ll be sure to make something more diabetic friendly next time, then.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. It’s kind of her to offer, and a small part of me lights up with hope that therecouldbe a next time. Maybe this is a step in the right direction for us.
Laurie nods before rushing off to the kitchen, and Talmage guides me over to the couch, sitting us on one end, my thigh squished up against his.
His dad reaches over and extends his hand. “Welcome to the family, Mackenzie. I apologize it’s a bit of a delayed welcome.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m honored to be part of it. I love your son very much.”
He waves me off. “Call me George. I’ll wait to pepper you with questions until we’re at the table, otherwise Laurie will just ask them again, and I don’t want you to have to keep repeating yourself.”
“I appreciate it.”
