I lagged behind, watching my brothers laughing about something. Beau was a step in front of me. I tugged on his jacket before he crossed the threshold.
“I’m sorry about all of this. I didn’t know they would be here.”
He laughed. “Don’t apologize. They’re your family. Although, maybe you could have mentioned the four brothers at some point.”
I looked at my boots. Why had I kept so much from him?
“Come on, I heard we can’t let your dad get hungry.” He slung his arm around my shoulder and we walked into the house.
“Dad!” I dislodged Beau’s arm and ran to hug my father as he descended the staircase.
“Hi, kitten. I heard you brought a friend home for the weekend.” My father looked over the top of my head to survey Beau.
“Dad, this is Beau Anderson. He’s my Comm 224 partner this semester, and he’s pre-law.” I emphasized the law part.
“Nice to meet you, sir.” Beau was probably getting tired of shaking hands by now.
“Welcome to our home, son. Let’s go eat. You’re probably hungry after that drive. I want to hear more about your law studies, Beau.” Oh, jeez. I knew this was going to happen. Beau was right—I should have prepared him.
“Mrs. James, dinner was delicious. Again, thank you for having me this weekend.” Beau had survived the firing squad over dinner.
“Beau, you are so welcome.” My mother stood from the table with two plates in her hand.
Beau jumped up and leaned across the table. “Here, let me help you with that.” He took the plates from my mother and disappeared into the kitchen.
My mother looked shocked. “Boys, did you see that? There are men who have manners in this world.”
My brothers rolled their eyes. “I’ll go help him, Mother.” I collected a few more plates and joined Beau in the kitchen, where he was rinsing plates and stacking them in the dishwasher.
“You know, you don’t actually have to impress my parents. But if you’re trying—it’s working.” I winked at him as he threw a dishtowel over his shoulder.
I liked seeing him in my parents’ kitchen. He seemed at ease and relaxed. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and kiss him right here in front of the pile of dirty dishes. The nearby room full of raucous brothers didn’t deter the feelings stirring under my skin.
“London? Where’d you go?” Beau waved a plate in front of my face.
“Right. Nowhere.” I smiled and grabbed the silverware. This weekend was supposed to be about luring him back to me, but so far, in only two hours, I had managed to fall even more head over heels for him.
“So, what does everyone do around here when the sun goes down?” Beau’s smile quickly transformed into a look of panic. “No, that’s not what I meant. I was just asking about nightly entertainment. Dammit. Not what I meant.”
I giggled. It was nice to see him squirm for a change. “I know what you meant. Do you want to try some of the wine?”
“Definitely.” He eased back into shoveling plates in the loading rack.
“A wine tasting it is. I’m going to leave you with kitchen detail and gather some wine for us. It will just take me a few minutes. Be right back.”
“Ok. I can handle it.” Beau turned to face the tower of pots and pans climbing out of the sink. That should keep him busy for a few minutes.
I slipped out of the kitchen door and walked toward the barn that was adjacent to my house. My parents had converted the barn into a tasting room years ago and used it for corporate parties, wine launches, and the occasional wedding.
Quickly, I went to work setting up glasses, selecting my favorite wines, and lighting a few candles. Satisfied I had created the perfect wine tasting setting, I dimmed the lights and went to rescue Beau from the mountain of dishes he was plowing through.
“Hey, lil sis. Ready for some cards?” Austin was in the kitchen with Beau and I could tell I had interrupted a conversation.
“Oh, thanks, Austin, but I was going to let Beau taste some of the wines. Maybe after?”
“That’s too bad. I was going to show your boy here how we play.”
Uh-oh. Beau looked interested in the challenge. “Man, I know how to play. What game?”