She reached into her purse and dug out a mint, popping it into her mouth. “Okay. Ready.”
I had to laugh. I wasn’t sure what made her more endearing, her strange aversion to clowns, or her addiction to mints anytime she was nervous.
I kissed her once more, almost pulling her over the console and onto my lap. I wanted a mint as well, but not one from her purse. The one she had in her mouth would taste much better, and it was highly enjoyable to seek it out. I loved kissing my girl.
I grinned as I drew back, my prize caught between my teeth.
“You took my mint again.” Avery huffed. “You could have asked. I have plenty.”
I tucked the candy into my cheek. “Not with Avery flavor added.” I winked.
A slow, rosy blush infused her cheeks as she unwrapped another candy, but the curve of her lips let me know she was fine with my candy-stealing tactics. Good thing, since I didn’t plan to stop.
Now with color back in her face and her greatest fear laid to rest, she looked much better. Glancing down the street, I decided it was time to go inside before the clown appeared to get something from his van. I wasn’t sure how Avery would handle that situation. I didn’t want to have to take someone out for wearing too much makeup and a costume, but for her I would.
“Ready?”
She squared her shoulders. “Ready.”
Avery’s eyes were huge with apprehension as I introduced her to my family.
My parents looked relaxed and happy, and they beamed at Avery in welcome. My mother’s short hair was still dark with a touch of gray scattered through it, and her blue eyes sparkled behind her glasses. She had passed on her bad eyesight to me. There was still a youthful air about her; her gentle humor and patience were evident in her expression. Beside her, my father’s shoulders were still broad, his hair, more salt than pepper, gleaming under the lights. His eyes, a darker shade of blue than my mother’s, were friendly, his gaze open.
Only those of us who knew him could see the underlying pain in his expression, or would notice the furrows in his brow when he walked or moved a certain way. He was strong and stubborn, and I had inherited both of those traits.
My mother hugged Avery far too long, and my father stepped forward.
“Let the girl breathe, Julie.” He smiled at Avery. “I’m Daniel’s dad—Sean Spencer. Sorry about my wife—she’s a bit exuberant.”
Avery held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Spencer.”
He shook his head. “Just Sean and Julie.” Then he took my mother’s place, engulfing Avery in a hug that lifted her feet right off the floor.
I had to roll my eyes at their enthusiastic greetings. It wasn’t as if I’d never brought a girl to meet them until today.
Luckily, Steven behaved himself, smiling and welcoming her with one of his firm handshakes. Until he spoke. “Happy to see you again, Avery,” He winked. “You’re looking a little less rumpled than the last time I saw you.”
Caitlin burst out laughing, and even my parents snickered.
I knew the teasing today would be nonstop.
So far, it was a normal brunch.
As everyone went down the hall, Avery glanced up at me. “I feel as though I’ve stumbled into the land of the giants. All of you are so tall!”
I had to laugh. She was right. My mother was the shortest of us all at 5’7”. Caitlin was three inches taller than she was, and my dad and I were both 6’4”, and Steven a couple inches taller. Avery was only 5’3”, she had told me, so no wonder she felt as though we towered over her. I slung my arm over her shoulder, escorting her to the kitchen. “It’s okay, Sprite. Chloe’s shorter than you. By a lot.”
She turned her head and pressed a kiss to my arm, right over my tattoo. “She’s nine months old.”
“Yep. Think about it. You’ll tower over her for years.”
Her low laughter made me smile, and we joined my family.
I was wrong. They didn’t like her. They moved right past that to adoring her completely. She had them under her spell in less than ten minutes. All of them. I liked watching her interact with my family and seeing how they had taken to her. It warmed my heart.
An hour after we’d gotten there, Chloe was on her lap, Avery cooing at her, as they played peek-a-boo.
My sister was so busy patting herself on the back she burned the pancakes, causing Steven to run around, opening windows to let out some of the smoke.