by Layla Frost
I fought the need to back her up against the car again. If I tasted her, or felt her body against mine, neither of us were leaving.
“Next time,” I said instead.
“What’re we doing tomorrow?”
“Surprise. Casual and outside. Come hungry.” I grabbed the bags as we walked around to the driver’s side door. When I opened it, she turned suddenly, shaking her head.
“I’m not driving this.”
“Why not?”
“What kind of SUV is it?”
“Range Rover.”
“It’s nicer than my apartment and has more buttons than my computer! What if I scratch it? Or dent it? Or even crash it?”
“That’s what insurance is for.”
“But—”
“It’s cold, Dahlia, and you’re in a light hoodie. Plus, the longer Luc waits, the more likely it is he’ll try to sneak into Faust’s.”
“Fine.” With a sigh, she climbed in and adjusted the seat before starting the car. She reached for the radio before dropping her hand.
“Mess with whatever you want,” I assured her. Leaning in to set the leftovers down, I rubbed her thigh as I pointed out some of the important features she might need.
“Don’t you want your leftovers?” she asked, scrunching her nose as if she regretted it.
I shook my head. “I can’t take them in the car with Luc. Eat them and enjoy.” With one last light kiss, I closed the door and moved so she could drive away.
I climbed into Luc’s SUV, ignoring his glare.
“Harsh,” he muttered. “I sit around waiting for you, and you won’t even sneak me food. I see how it is.”
“Yeah, well Faust is still spitting after saying your name. I’m not about to get on his bad side.”
“That man can hold a grudge.”
“Well you did—”
“I know what I did, I know.” Pulling out, he started toward Amaric. “I’m guessing I don’t have to ask how things went.”
“No, but I know you will anyway.”
“Will not. I like her, and since she made it to the elusive second date, that must mean she doesn’t have the personality of a gelatinous fish. Are you seeing her again?”
“Tomorrow.”
“After?” At my head shake, his brows flew up. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“What could go wrong?”
Luc chuckled. “I’d tell you, but it’s only a twenty-minute drive.”
He had a point.
Chapter Five
Check Yes or No
Dahlia
This can’t be right.
I slowed down before parking at the curb. The section of the street was packed, the only available spot located in front of the ‘destination’.
How did I manage to mess this up?
To be fair, I hadn’t been lying when I’d told Theo his SUV had more buttons than my computer. It wasn’t hard since my ancient laptop had the bare minimum, but even if it were top of the line, the Range Rover would still have it beat. Accidentally changing the address in the GPS wouldn’t have been a stretch.
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 from us. 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.
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, meeting the family was 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, well done. 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.”
“We’ll be inside in a minute to grab drinks.” Tugging my hand again, Theo took a few steps until we were near the corner of the house. He stopped suddenly, backing me up against the siding. “Out of view,” he muttered before his lips crashed onto mine. Cupping the back of my head to protect it, he pushed in tight, his hardness pressing against my stomach.
Just as quickly, he moved back and grabbed my hand again. “I’m thinking we’ll be leaving early.” Even in a low mutter, his voice was husky.
Before I could respond, a little girl jumped over the tall, wooden fence and hit the ground running. Dirt covered her floral dress and smudged her adorable face. “Uncle Theo, come play!”
“I will soon Kit-Kat, but I have to go talk to Uncle Lou first.”
She gave him a toothless grin before turning to me. “Wanna play, too?”
“Sure.”
“Good. My name is Kat and I’m five,” she shouted as she ran back to the fence at full speed. I tensed and opened my mouth to warn her to look out, but she launched herself at it, quickly shimmying up and over.
“That opens, you know!” Theo called out to her.
“Takes too long,” she shot back. The door in the fence swung open. “There you go.” She took off running again.
“I thought you didn’t have any siblings?” I asked as we entered through the now open gate.
“I don’t; she’s my second cousin. But all the younger kids call me their uncle.”
The backyard was much larger than I thought it’d be. There was a swing set in the corner that looked like it belonged in an upscale park. A huge deck extended from the backdoor, with multiple tables and chairs set up. A brick path lead to an impressive garden that took up at least a quarter of the yard.
About fifteen people were there, but it was still far from cramped.
“There you are!” a handsome older man called out, his smile wide and dimpled. He was tall and fit, his gray hair full and wavy. I’d never seen someone the perfect blend of their parents, but Theo was definitely it.
Like his mom, Theo’s dad pulled me into a quick hug. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Very,” I said.
“Dahlia, this is my dad, Lou,” Theo said. “Dad, this is—”
“You must be the pretty Dahlia we’ve been hearing about,” a man interrupted. He looked a few years older than Lou. “Why don’t you go chat, and I’ll finish up on the grill.”
Lou looked ready to throttle the man. Theo looked amused.
I’m guessing this must be Uncle Donny.
···
“Is Uncle Theo your boyfriend?” a small, sweet voice asked as soon as I sat on the couch.
We’d been at Lou and Rachelle’s for over four hours. The non-charred food had been delicious, his family was welcoming, and the day was beautiful.
And Theo was a tease.
Every chance he’d gotten, he touched me. Sometimes it’d been casual, a hand on my knee or shoulder. Other times, it’d been intimate, like when he’d slowly tuck my hair behind my ear.
The times he’d been subtle, though, were the worst kind of torture. An incidental graze to the side of my breast. His palm travelling up my thigh, almost reaching the top before stopping. When we stood with his arm around my waist, his rough fingertips would slide under the bottom of my shirt and stroke the skin above my waistband.
My whole body was tense, each nerve ending alive and oversensitive.
A competitive game of bocce ball had been in progress when the gorgeous, clear skies had disappeared, darkening suddenly before down pouring. Almost everyone had rushed inside, but Theo and his dad stayed out to pack things away before they got ruined.
I suddenly wished I was outside, too.
“Shush, Mar, that’s rude,” the girl’s mom, Tina, said, but the damage was done. Everyone in the room, including Tina, was watching me expectantly.
Blocking out the audience, I smiled and shook my head. “No, we’re just friends.”
“Do you like him?” Before I could answer, Mar’s face lit up. “Oh, oh, do you love him? My friend Beth says that if you love a boy, you have to give him a note that asks if he loves you back. If he doesn’t answer, then you just have to tell him he’s your boyfriend now.”
“Mariangela Moretti, that is awful. I don’t know how I feel about you spending time with Beth now.” Tina shook her head at me. “They’re seven, but you’d think they’re seventeen sometimes. Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I said with a laugh as I pictured passing a note to Theo, asking him to check yes, no, or maybe. I looked back at Mar. “I don’t think your Uncle Theo
is a note passing kind of guy, but I appreciate the advice.”
Her lips pursed. “I guess.” With a shrug, she jumped up and sprinted across the room. “Let’s go, Kat.”
The other girl stood and followed, excitement making her steps extra bouncy.
Kat’s mom, Julie, watched them go, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “What’re they up to?”
Tina picked up her wine glass and sat back in her chair. “No idea. Whatever it is, it’s clearly my daughter’s idea, so I apologize now.”
“For what?” Theo asked from behind me, making me nearly jump out of my skin as his hands landed on my shoulders.
“We think Mar is plotting something,” Tina said.
“I’d be more surprised if she weren’t.”
Carrying a couple bottles of wine, Rachelle entered the room before stopping. “Theo! You’re dripping all over my carpet. Go get a towel.”
“Good idea.” Leaning down close to me, his lips grazed my ear as he whispered, “Want to come help?” He didn’t give me the chance to answer. “I’m going to give Dahlia the rest of the tour.”
“Get the towels first, I don’t want you leaving puddles all through the house.”
I stood, Theo grabbing my hand as we walked from the room and up the stairs. He stopped and grabbed a couple towels from a linen closet before pulling me farther down the hallway. Releasing the towels to fall to the ground, his hand cupped my face as he lowered his head, his lips barely an inch from mine. I held my breath, anticipation growing as he reached behind me, pushing open the door.
Giggles filled the room.
Lifting his head, Theo sighed, his shoulders slumping as he looked past me. “What’re you doing in here?”
A young girl’s voice said, “We’re just—”
“Nothing,” Mar interrupted, meaning it was Kat who spoke first. “We’re hanging out.”
“I thought—” Kat tried again before getting cut off.
“Nope, just wanted some quiet.” I turned around to see Mar roll her eyes with all the attitude of a seventeen-year-old trapped in a seven-year-old body. “You adults are so loud.”
“Uh-huh.” Theo deadpanned. “And that meant sitting on the office floor with paper and pens instead of going to the entertainment room where there are couches?”