“Hey,” Lincoln calls, pulling one of his brothers in a bear hug. “How are you, Barrett?”
“Good. How was the trip?”
“Great. Where’s Alison?”
“Fuck off,” Barrett laughs, stepping to the side. “Who is this?” He heads my way, his eyes sparkling. “I’m Barrett. Nice to meet you.”
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear before extending my hand to him. “I’m Danielle Ashley. Nice to meet you.”
He walks right past my hand and pulls me into a quick hug. “We don’t shake hands in this family,” he laughs.
“Easy with the hug,” Lincoln laughs, shoving him gently.
Barrett chuckles as the other siblings reach us. Lincoln greets them both before standing beside me, his hand around my waist. “Danielle, this is Ford and Sienna. Guys, this is my girl.”
My reaction to his declaration in front of his family is pasted on my face. Sienna laughs right before she, too, pulls me into a hug. “It’s so great to meet you,” she says, her eyes shining. “He treats you right, right? Because if not, I’ll take care of him.”
“He’s great,” I blush.
“Don’t say that,” Ford says, stepping to me and rolling his eyes. “You’ll make his ego even bigger. I’m Ford.” We hug. Naturally.
“Tell us about you,” Sienna says. “Forego the normal introduction stuff. Tell us what you enjoy. What you love.”
“She loves my cock,” Lincoln interjects.
“Oh my God,” Sienna says, her hands covering her ears.
“That’s great, Linc! I’m so glad the surgeons could create one from your pussy,” Ford jokes.
“Fuck you guys,” Lincoln laughs.
His fingers dip into my skin. I’m not sure if it’s to remind me that even though he’s conversing with his family, his mind is on me, but that’s what it does. My heart fills with warmth and as I try to fight this feeling, of maybe falling in love, the sensation takes over.
“Let’s go say hi to Mom and Dad,” Lincoln says.
He guides me to the porch, his brothers and sister bantering back and forth in a way I’ve never seen before. The love that fills these siblings is so apparent, so dynamic. I could watch their facial expressions and listen to their stories for days.
“There’s my baby boy!” The woman has her arms out for Lincoln before he gets there. She’s dressed in beige slacks and a purple top with a long gold necklace that catches the sunlight. Her hair is perfectly coiffed. She’s beautiful. “I’ve missed you. I’m so glad to have you home.”
“Missed you too.” Lincoln kisses her cheek and smiles at her more warmly than I’ve ever seen him look at anyone. The love between them tugs at my heart. He turns on his heel and extends a hand to his father. He takes it, pulling him in to a quick, more formal embrace. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hi, Son. Good to see you. How’s that arm feeling?”
“Pretty good. A little sore, but therapy keeps it that way.”
“You’re gonna be fine, Lincoln. You’re gonna be fine.”
Lincoln nods stiffly before turning towards me. “Mom, Dad—I want to introduce you to Danielle Ashley. Dani, these are my parents.”
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Landry,” I say, hoping I come across way more cool than I feel. I’ve met distinguished people a hundred times in my life. Why the nerves are kicking my ass now is beyond me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh, sweet girl,” Mrs. Landry says softly, her hand patting my back as she leans in. “It’s Vivian. Mrs. Landry was my mother-in-law.” She sends me a quick wink before turning to her husband.
“It’s nice to meet you,” her husband says, shaking my hand. He gives me a kind smile, but I can tell he’s distracted. “Lincoln, want to take a walk with me?”
I grab on to his bicep as he looks warily at me. “Go on. I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?” he asks, his brows pulled together.