Page 72 of Cursed Luck
“So who’s technically hosting this time?” she asked.
Edward’s brows pinched. “I’m not sure. It was supposed to be James and Andrea, but they just started remodeling the kitchen. We’re going to Serena and Ethan’s place.”
He turned into the neighborhood, and Mia sat up, her head swiveling around as she took it in.
“Wait, isn’t this where Max and Claudia live? How’d I not remember this was also where Serena and Ethan live?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Your memories of the neighborhood were outshined by a sexy, awkward man?”
Mia laughed, and he let the sound fill him up. “Shut up.”
He chuckled at her words. “Maybe because it’s been a while since we’ve come out here. Serena used to live above her store, kind of like you with the shop, until Ethan found them this house.”
“I guess it’s a cute neighborhood.”
Edward chuckled. “You don’t sound convinced.”
Mia sighed as she slumped into her chair. “I do think it’s cute, but it’s not somewhere I’d pick to live, unless…”
He remained silent, hoping she would finish her thought. When she didn’t, he prodded. “Unless what?”
Her eyes said she was unsure, and a little bit of fear flashed in them. “Unless you were set on it?”
His chest swelled within his ribs, and he grinned as he brought her knuckles to his lips. “Thinking about us living together?” Edward parked behind Brandy and turned to face Mia as she chewed on her lower lip. “I’ve also been thinking about it, if it makes you feel any better.”
Surprised, she faced him and asked, “You have?”
Nodding, he cupped her cheek. “Mia, you’re all I see. I don’t mind our sleepovers, but it’s not going to be enough for me. In time, I want us together under one roof.”
She kissed the palm of his hand before pressing her cheek into it. “I want that too.”
He should talk to her about the cabin, but he didn’t want to ruin the surprise. One more day. Setting the thought aside, he lowered his hand and pressed his lips to hers. Kissing her soothed the inner turmoil over keeping the cabin from her, and it reminded him how lucky he was to even have her.
“We should go inside before I pull you onto my lap and take you,” he said against her lips, his erection pressing against the zipper of his pants.
“You really are insatiable,” she teased.
His brothers’ homes were similar on the outside, but inside, each couple’s personality shined through. Edward and Mia stepped inside after he gave the door a quick rap of his knuckles, and they were greeted by the scent of white sage. Colorful stones decorated a table by the door with a metal basin in the center, where the smoke of a lit sage billowed upward.
“I don’t remember it smelling like this for the wedding,” Mia whispered.
“That’s because I’d cleansed first thing in the morning and then again after everyone left,” Serena said as she padded toward them. Her skirt flowed to the ground, and her bare toenails peeked out with each step.
“Hi!” Mia said, and embraced his sister-in-law. “I was telling Edward I somehow don’t remember a lot about your house.”
“You two were rather distracted, if I remember correctly,” she teased with a wink before raising to the balls of her feet and kissing Edward’s cheek. “Everyone’s in the back today. I put out a table for all the food and wanted us to enjoy the beautiful garden a friend created just for Ethan and me.”
Edward wrapped an arm around Mia as she blushed at the compliment. “Everyone here?” he asked as they moved to join the others.
“Carter was called in, but Vanessa came by herself. Otherwise, yeah. Always the last to arrive,” Serena teased. “Look what the cat dragged in!”
The family erupted in hoots and claps at the announcement. Their teasing and love drew Edward and Mia in further.
“So glad you two found a second to get some air,” Brandy joked and stood with Gia in her arms.
Edward pulled his niece free from her mother’s arms and tickled her neck. “Your momma has all the jokes, doesn’t she?”
When only the baby’s squeal reached his ears, he paused and let his gaze move over his family. Every face looked on with surprise, their bodies nearly frozen with their reaction.
