“Yeah. Okay.”
He kisses my forehead, takes a deep breath, and then backs away with my hand clenched in his.
“Good. Let’s go.”
His stride is purposeful as he leads me through the house and out to his truck. He’s on a mission, and it seems that mission is to take me to a family dinner.
It’s kind of sweet, really. My stomach is still tight, and I’m nervous as all hell, but he’s sweet, and in the brief moments that I met his family, they were nice.
It’s going to be fine.
The drive over to his parents’ house doesn’t take long, and before I know it, we’re pulling to a stop in front of a big, red farmhouse that has clearly been the focal point of this property for a very long time.
“How old is this house?” I ask him when he turns off the engine, and we sit staring at it.
He seems to exhale in relief, as if he’d been holding his breath, expecting me to tell him to take me back.
“The original house was built in 1870, but it’s been renovated and added on to so much over the years, I couldn’t tell you what’s original.”
“Interesting. I like old houses.”
I open my door and hop out of the truck, then meet Seth at the bottom of the steps of the porch and take his hand. I’m proud that my hand isn’t shaking.
“Let’s go have dinner,” I say with a smile.
“You sure you’re good?” he asks and looks closely at my face, checking for any sign of trepidation.
“I’m great. I mean it.” And I really do mean it. I had a few moments of insecurity, but Seth reassured me. Bolstered my confidence. I’m just nervous because I’ll be surrounded by people I don’t know. But I’ll get past it. I’ve been in these situations before.
We climb the steps of the porch, and Seth walks right through the door without knocking.
We’re greeted with big smiles and hugs, words of welcome. Seth’s mom, Jillian, wraps her arm around my waist and leads me toward the kitchen.
“Come, have a glass of wine and chat with us,” she suggests.
“I could use a glass of wine.”
“I’ll come, too,” Seth says, but his mom shakes her head.
“Your dad was looking for you a few minutes ago. He and the other guys are out trying to fix your brother’s snowmobile. Don’t worry, we won’t scare her off.”
With his mother looking on, Seth leans over and kisses my cheek, then whispers in my ear, “Don’t run. I’m right outside.”
I watch him walk off and then smile at Jillian.
“Let’s get that wine,” she suggests with a laugh.
I rarely drink. But I think I need just a little something to take the edge off.
“Red or white?” Cara asks when I walk into the kitchen.
“Surprise me,” I reply.
“We’re just going casual tonight,” Cara says as she fills some glasses with white wine and passes one to me. “We’re laying out a taco bar so everyone can pick on it all evening. We’re usually casual around here unless it’s a holiday.”
“Yeah, then we break out the linen napkins,” Jillian says with a wink. “The kids are upstairs playing video games or on their phones. Or something.”
“I’m right here.” A teenager that I recognize from my first afternoon at the deli speaks up at the sink where he’s rinsing off vegetables.
“And you’re my favorite,” Jillian assures him. “Miles, have you met Remi?”
He smiles over at me. “Yeah, we checked her out at the deli last week.”
I raise a brow. “So you didn’t just stop by for an after-school cookie?”
That cocky smile is just like his other brother’s. “The cookie was great. I could have eaten six more. But we all stopped by to see you.”
I narrow my eyes and sip my wine. “So, all of the kids you were with—?”
“My sibs and cousins,” he confirms.
“No wonder Annie laughed,” I mutter and shake my head.
“They didn’t mean any harm,” a redheaded woman says as she walks out of the pantry, carrying taco shells and cans of beans and corn. “I’m Lauren, by the way.”
“I remember,” I say. “I know they didn’t. It was just funny, especially to Annie, because I think all of Seth’s family stopped in at some point that day. She got a real kick out of it.”
“The Kings are a nosy bunch.”
I turn at the voice and see an older woman just slipping out of her jacket. Her eyes are keen on me as she takes me in.
“You must be Nancy King,” I say with a smile. “Your grandson is smitten with you, you know.”
“All of them are,” she replies with a soft smile. “And I with them. You’re a beautiful girl, Remi.”
I feel my cheeks heat. “Thanks. You’re all so pretty and nice. You’re a little overwhelming, you know that?”
“It’s just because there’s so many of us,” Jillian insists and shares a look with her mother-in-law.