“My twin is having a baby. This is going to be so exciting.” Nate folded his arms over his chest and grinned.
Arden rolled her eyes. “We literally just decided, and I was going to wait to tell you. It kind of just slipped out.”
“You know we’re going to have to tell my family. Because if my sister hears that your brothers heard before her, she’s going to launch a reign of terror.”
I leaned forward. “She’s married now. She’s calmer.”
We all paused and then broke out into laughter.
“So she might not be calm. But seriously, I love your sister, and she’s going to be a fantastic aunt. Just know that it’s going to take a while for everything to happen. I mean, it could be years. Are you trying for a baby? Or any age in particular?” I asked.
“Any age,” Arden said, squeezing her husband’s hand tightly. “We just want a child who needs a home and us. We know it’s not going to be easy, but seriously, we all know that living and raising children isn’t easy no matter what.”
“Well,” I said, letting out a breath.
“You’re right about that, but hell, I’m so excited for you,” I said, smiling.
“I’m excited for us, too.” She shook her head and then bounced on her feet. “However, this was totally not supposed to be about us.”
“You’re always welcome to have it be about you, babe,” Liam said, kissing the top of her head.
“So, if you aren’t here to tell me that news, why are you here?” I asked again, suddenly a little nervous.
“You’re going on your second date with this woman. We want to make sure you don’t fuck it up,” Prior said, grinning.
I narrowed my eyes. “Why do you think I’m going to fuck it up?”
“Because you’re stressed out about work and probably about us because you’re always messed up over family, and you’re going to be more focused on that than making sure you treat her like you could have a future together,” Nate said.
We all looked at Nate, blinking.
“I can’t believe you just said that. You’re not always so insightful.”
Nate flipped us off.
“I am the most insightful brother. It’s the twin thing,” he said, looking at Arden.
She shrugged. “He’s right.”
“Hey,” Macon and I said together. And then we looked at Prior, who hadn’t complained.
Our other brother just shrugged. “I’m the funny one, Macon is the quiet, growly one, Cross is the loud, growly one, and I guess that makes Nate the sensitive one. Although I suppose, sometimes, that could be Macon. I don’t know, there are a lot of us. It gets confusing at times.”
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, though, why are you here?”
“The honest answer is that we were on our way out to dinner, and we figured we would stop by and annoy you,” Liam said, and I laughed.
“That is an honest answer. I appreciate it. Thank you.”
“No problem. However, just remember that all of my siblings were up in my business the entire time I was seeing Arden, and are pretty much going to be that way for the rest of our lives. It’s going to be an issue forever, but I like it. You’re the eldest, like I am. You’re going to have to get over it. While you’ll likely want to growl and take care of everyone else, they’re going to want to do the same for you. It’s payback.”
“Now, who’s the insightful one?” Nate said, and I shook my head.
“You guys go get food. Do your thing. I’m off to meet Hazel.”
Nerves made my belly clench, but I ignored them. Just because this was our first date—well, our first real date rather than an accidental one—didn’t make it any different. It was just that I didn’t have time to get nervous before. It had been a while since I had been on a date, and I wasn’t sure I was any good at it.
The fact that I wasn’t sure she even wanted to go on a date with me, that she hadn’t simply been talked into it, worried me too.
But it was fine. I just had to keep from thinking so hard.
“So, do you need help getting ready?” Nate asked, his gaze searching mine.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked.
“Um?” Arden began. “How do I say this delicately?” I looked at her, putting on my best innocent and confused face.
“What? I don’t look ready for my date?” I looked down at my track shorts, flip-flop slides, white socks—because my feet were cold, and I apparently wanted to look like a fashion faux pas that made even my teeth ache—and shirt with bleach on it.
“I don’t look ready?”
“Please tell me you’re joking,” Prior implored.
“He’s joking,” Macon said, deadpan. “You’re not that much of a fucking idiot.”
“Of course, I’m not,” I said. “For the love of God, I might be out of practice with dating, but I’m not that bad,” I said honestly.
The others looked at me, and I threw my hands up into the air.
“You’re wearing sandals with socks,” Arden said. “How am I supposed to keep from questioning your motives? What’s the plan here? Seriously, you are wearing sandals with socks.”
“My feet were cold,” I said.
“Then put on fucking slippers,” Prior said.
“The slippers were in the other room. My socks were nearer. The sandals were close. I didn’t feel like going upstairs.”
“Laziness is no excuse for wearing socks with sandals,” Nate said, laughing.
“I’m not going to wear socks and sandals ever again. I promise.” I threw my hands up again, but nobody looked like they believed me.
Honestly, I didn’t know if I believed myself. It was a horrible fashion choice, but I was comfy. And, apparently, now an old man. Because that is who wore socks and sandals. Old men. At least, according to the looks on my family member’s faces.
“You’re not really going to help me pick out something to wear, are you?”
“Don’t tempt me,” Arden said, tapping her foot. “I don’t know. It could be good practice for when I’m helping my children.”
“You know, that is a good idea,” Liam said, and I rubbed my temples. “I swear I’m not going to wear this.”
“And you promise never to wear socks and sandals again?” Macon asked, seriousness in his tone.
“I promise.” I threw my hands up into the air for a third time. “Go, eat. Let me live my life in peace.”
Prior shook his head. “As long as you’re not living your life in your current outfit, that is fine. Just don’t go out in public. You have the Brady name attached to you. Don’t tarnish it.”
“Considering that our name is tied to a very famously dorky yet amazing family, I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be the one that does that,” I said honestly.
“Go get changed. I promise we won’t be here when you get back. But, have fun, be good, and don’t fuck it up,” Arden said, a wide smile on her face.
“I love it when you curse,” Liam said. “Makes me feel a little bit better about all the words that come out of my mouth.”
“When we have that child in our home, we’re going to have to stop cursing.” All of us looked at each other and then at Liam.
“Between the Montgomerys and the Bradys, that is going to be difficult.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I said and then held my baby sister close. I kissed her on the top of the head and let out a deep breath. “I’m happy for you, baby sis.”
“And I’m happy for you. Now, have fun. Don’t think too hard, and just be yourself. She’ll love you, just like we do.”
“I hope we don’t love him like we hope she will,” Prior said. “Because you know that’s against the law and shit. And I know the other more famous Bradys might joke around like that’s cool and all, but that’s not us,” Prior said and then ducked as Macon slapped the back of his head.
“Hey, watch the hair.”
“Maybe stop making incest jokes? I don’t know,” Macon said, and then he
lifted his chin at me. Suddenly, they were gone, leaving me standing there, wondering how the hell I was going to get serious with a woman when they had to deal with my family. I loved them all, but they were a little much. And then I remembered how overprotective and growly I had been when Arden was first dating Liam, and realized that I was part of the problem.
I went up to my bedroom and quickly changed, wearing decent slip-on leather shoes rather than socks with sandals, a mistake I wouldn’t make again anytime soon. Then, I headed to the restaurant. We were going to an Asian fusion place that had excellent sushi, and their version of fusion meant there was some fantastic Japanese food on the menu as well as some Korean barbecue. My stomach grumbled just thinking about it.
Hazel had nixed the idea of me picking her up, and while I understood that, she had said it so quickly and forcefully that I was afraid I had heard some fear in her voice. I might’ve just been projecting, though. I wasn’t sure. She was likely hiding a few things, considering we had only met in person once. And I understood that she didn’t need to tell me everything. But I did have to wonder why she’d sounded so scared, and a little reluctant to go on a date with me at all.
Again, maybe I was just projecting.
I pulled into the parking lot, then, as I approached the building, I opened the door right as someone walked near me. I turned and smiled.
Hazel wore form-fitting black jeans that had a little sparkle to them, a flowy black top that showcased her boobs but flared out at her hips, black boots with stiletto heels, and a leather jacket with rhinestones on the collar. It was a mix of sparkle and punk and sophistication all in one, paired with her black clutch that I had a feeling looked like Chanel, though I couldn’t see the brand too well.
“I guess I’m right on time,” I said, then leaned down to brush her hair off her shoulder. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second, but she didn’t move away. I didn’t lean down to hug her or to touch her any more than I had. I didn’t kiss her. I didn’t do anything like that. I didn’t want to worry her more than I thought maybe she already was.
After all, she looked a little bit like a deer caught in headlights.
Or, like usual lately, perhaps I was just projecting.
“That was good timing. You know, because being on time is nearly being late,” she said and then grinned.
“I feel the same way. Sometimes, I get someplace so early, that if I don’t feel comfortable enough sitting at the bar and getting something to drink while waiting, I’ll just sit in my car and wait.”
“I had to hold myself back from being early enough to sit in my car,” she said honestly, and I shook my head, grinning.
“After you,” I said, leading her toward the hostess stand. “I already think that this date thing is working out pretty well.”
She smiled at me, and I could have slapped myself. I really wasn’t good at this whole dating thing. For being so good with human interaction most of the time, I couldn’t figure this out. Maybe it was just with her? Perhaps because she made me feel awkward, not that I knew why.
“Hi, party of two?” the hostess asked, her gaze on mine. She didn’t even look at Hazel, and I frowned. I reached around and put my hand on the small of Hazel’s back, and she didn’t startle. Instead, she sank into my touch, and I held back a satisfied smile. The hostess noticed the movement as I’d intended, but she didn’t seem to care. Instead, she raked me with that hungry gaze of hers, and I nodded.
“Yes, for two.”
“Right this way,” she said and turned on her heels before sashaying towards the table.
I did my best not to let my gaze move down to her ass, considering that it swayed back and forth. Seriously? What would this woman think if she had seen me with socks and sandals? For some reason, I had a feeling that while Hazel would look shocked for a minute, and probably make fun of me, she wouldn’t run away screaming like I thought maybe this woman would.
Or maybe I was just thinking a little too hard about that.
We took our seats, and I raised a brow when the hostess handed me both menus before walking away, her hips rolling all the while.
“It’s good to know I exist,” Hazel said and then snorted. I handed her a menu, shaking my head.
“I’ve never actually had someone be that obvious before.”
“Really? You see yourself in the mirror. You’re not ugly. And you have that whole…thing about you.” She waved her hand in front of me, and I grinned.
“Thing?”
“Oh, shush. You know that you’re handsome, and you have that smile. And you just seem like a nice guy. Maybe a little dangerous with that beard and ink, but these days, that’s almost the norm.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly.
She winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m just saying that there’s that whole meme going around, you know, where tattooed men used to mean bikers and murderers, and now, it’s baristas that like a nice Bearnaise sauce or something like that.”
“I think it was a balsamic reduction,” I said, and we both laughed.
“Sorry, all I’m saying is that I don’t really like being ignored like that. Not that I like the attention focused on me completely, I get enough of that while teaching, but that was kind of rude.”
“I could say something,” I said honestly.
“Please don’t. Complaining that a hot woman finds you hot is a little much.”
“Then I will be honest and say that I didn’t really notice if she was hot or not,” I said.
She snorted again. “Really?”
“No, and this is going to sound like a line, but it’s not. I was too busy thinking about you. And this is why I’m not good at this whole dating thing, I say the cheesiest shit.”
But she grinned, her eyes warm and clear.
“It might’ve been really cheesy, but thank you for that. Now, I’m starving, so if I happen to eat like two meals of food, just pretend that I’m dainty and sweet.”
“I’m starving, too. I kind of skipped most of my meals today, trying to get some work done.” My stomach took that moment to growl, loud enough for both of us to notice, and she grinned.
“What if we order a few things to share? I don’t know if I’m going about this dating thing correctly by not eating a small salad and pretending that I’m not going to want to steal what’s left on your plate, but I’ve been nervous all day. And I’m going to be honest about that. So, I didn’t eat.”
“I’ve been a little nervous, too. I think it’s because of the whole non-accidental thing.”
“Right? Who would’ve thought that this would feel more nerve-wracking than the blind date to begin with?”
“Maybe it’s because we’ve actually met each other, and now we have to see if what we remember is something that we like.”
“You’re really not as bad at this as you think you are,” she said softly. I swallowed hard. This was getting interesting.
“How about we order a big plate of sushi, as much as we can handle, a couple of soups, maybe a thing of spring rolls, and then a bulgogi and a yakisoba. We can share as much as we’re able, and then split the takeout.”
“Sold. But we have to eat all the sushi here because leftover sushi is gross and probably a health hazard.”
I grinned. “That sounds amazing.”
As the waiter goggled when we ordered everything, I laughed and leaned in, wanting to know more about Hazel.
Because I liked this woman. I liked the way she made me smile.
And while I knew I had other things to worry about, things that were important, I wanted to know what made her tick. I wanted to know her.
I wanted to know exactly why she hadn’t been on a date before that blind date of hers that I’d crashed.
But right then, we were too busy smiling and gorging ourselves on sushi, so I didn’t ask.
But I did lean in, because I wanted to know more. I wanted to know her.
This wasn’t a blind date, and it wasn’t
an accidental one either. And I already knew I didn’t want it to be the last one.
That surprised me more than anything.
By the end of the date, I had to hold my breath. Not only because of the temptation in front of me, but because of the sheer amount of food we’d eaten.
I leaned against the light pole near Hazel’s car, one hand full of leftovers, the other on my stomach. “I think I ate too much.”
Hazel leaned against her car, her pose mimicking mine. “I know I did.” She grinned. “I know I’m supposed to be all cute and sexy or whatever for a date, but diving headfirst into bulgogi and sushi was so much better than trying to be something I wasn’t just then.”
I straightened, my gut tightening even though I was full. “You’re still sexy, Hazel. It’s in the way you laugh, the way your eyes brighten when you talk about your work. The fact that you did dive headfirst, right alongside me. I would have asked you out again because of the way you made me laugh, but you should know that I’ll beg if I have to on top of that because you’re damn sexy.”
I probably shouldn’t have said that, but there was no taking it back now.
She blinked wide eyes at me, her mouth parting. “Oh.”
“Oh.” I moved closer. She didn’t flinch, but she did stiffen. “Can I kiss you?”
“You’re asking?” Surprise was evident in her tone.
“Always. I’ll never kiss you, touch you, or do anything without asking you first.” I didn’t know the whole story, but the way she moved around strangers, including me, told me that I needed to tread carefully. “Just a kiss. Nothing more.” Tonight.
“Okay.” She paused. “A kiss.” She paused again. “Not that I might not want more in the future, but for now, let’s go slow.” She said the last part so quickly and blushed so red that I couldn’t help but smile.
“I can do that.” And then I leaned in, my lips so close to hers I could feel the heat of her. And then I waited.
She moved forward a fraction of an inch, and I let myself go. I swallowed up the distance between us. Her lips were soft, her mouth parted, and I leaned in a bit, wanting more, but knowing this wasn’t the place for that.
It wasn’t long enough, a bare moment of tranquility and heat and need, but when I moved back, her eyes were wide, just like mine, and then she smiled. A small one, but an expression I knew I’d never forget.
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