He wraps his arms around me and kisses my forehead. “I think he’ll do anything you ask.”
I snicker. “He better. I promised to promote his shop several times, so it’s an even trade then.”
After we’ve walked through the house a few times, Tristan takes my hand and leads me outside with our luggage. We scheduled a car to take us to the airport, and moments later, it arrives.
As we’re boarding the private jet, my nerves get the best of me as I feel like I’m entering society for the first time.
“I guess I’ll take my phone back now,” I tell him, knowing I’ll have to eventually face reality though I’m actually dreading it.
He unzips his duffel and hands it over. It feels like a grenade in my hand, ready to explode at any moment. Once we’re in our seats, I turn it on but silence the notifications. I put it away, deciding I’ll deal with it when I get back to New York, along with my parents and the media. Tristan interlocks his fingers with mine and kisses my knuckles as the plane takes off.
“We’ll get through this together,” he reminds me.
“Yes, we will.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
PIPER
FIVE MONTHS LATER
“I have to admit, I’m a bit nervous,” Tristan tells me as I adjust his tie. He’s wearing a suit, one that hugs him in all the right places with a hunter-green tie that brings out his eyes. I’m wearing a dress that matches it with bright red leggings. If Christmas spirit were an outfit, I’d be it.
“Don’t be,” I reassure. “My parents adore you.”
He gives me a look. “I wouldn’t say that, but rather, they tolerate me.”
“Don’t be silly. Mom asks me when we’re getting married at least once a week so she can start planning.”
He chuckles and runs his fingers through his hair. “So it’s official, both of our families want us to get married ASAP and start having kids too.” Just like we planned, he moved into my place as soon as we got back to New York, and now everyone’s ready for us to get hitched and pop out babies.
“Not just real-life families, but our twenty-five million YouTube family too. Well, half of them want us to get married. The other half want you all to themselves.” I chuckle as his cheeks redden.
“Something about that bodyguard, former military, badass vibe that makes them all wet.”
His face cracks into a smile. “Is that what you found attractive?”
“You know it,” I say as he dips down and gives me a soft kiss. “And sorry, but you’re all mine.”
“There isn’t anyone else in the world I want, babe.” His smart watch dings. “Looks like the driver is downstairs. Guess we better get going.”
Tristan leads me outside, where a limo is waiting for us. When we get inside, we pour a couple of glasses of champagne and eat strawberries.
Once we arrive at my parents', we see Kendall and Ryan and walk in together.
“Are you ready for this?” I ask. “I just hope they bring out the wine because sometimes they tend to be insufferable during the holidays.”
Kendall snickers. “Might be time for me to start volunteering on Christmas Eve and Day too,” she says, considering she usually spends every Thanksgiving at the shelter volunteering her time.
“Hey, sis!” Ryan says, pulling me into a side hug, then he gives Tristan a firm handshake.
“How’ve you been?” Tristan asks.
Ryan explains how busy the hospital has been during the holidays with burn injuries and people falling off their roofs putting up Christmas lights.
When we make it to the oversized door, my parents' butler answers and escorts us inside. Charles takes our coats and announces that our parents are in the formal dining room.
The house smells amazing, and I know Chef Jaquel has made a feast of a meal.
Tristan’s eyes scan around, and I know he’s still trying to adjust to all of this. Hell, a part of me is, too, after leaving the beach house.
There’s a twenty-foot Christmas tree in the foyer, and we pass three more as we walk to the far end of the house. It’s not the first time Tristan has been here with me, but we don’t visit often since I’m usually way too busy with work. Since I got used to having Tristan with me all the time and my father likes the security, he kept him on the payroll as my personal bodyguard. Obviously, I don’t mind it, and it gives us the chance to see each other as much as possible. He’s a part of my channel now, and it’s grown even faster with him being in the vlogs. People love him.
When we enter the formal dining room, the sixteen-person table is full of food. Considering there will only be six of us tonight, it seems like a complete waste, but I put on a smile to appease my parents.