Becca listened as Garrett described a birthday party he’d been to the previous weekend. Daniel looked at the photos on Garrett’s phone, his expression interested. He was learning to be human. And it warmed her heart.
The next morning – Saturday – was sunny and bright. Becca grinned to herself as she stepped out of the shower and saw Daniel sleeping. He dreamed like he did everything else in life. With passion and energy. His legs were twisted in the sheets, his arms flung out on the mattress, his hair a mess that only a shower could cure.
She’d moved into his place a month ago. It had been a wrench to leave her condominium, though she’d leased it out rather than sold it. They’d talked about finding somewhere new together, but for now Daniel’s house was the more sensible option. It had space and light, plus a gorgeous yard that they spent their evenings in, watching the leaves rustle and the sun dip below the mountain peaks.
And he had one killer of a kitchen. She was constantly filling it with new appliances, loving having all the space she needed for her latest experiments.
“Hey.” His eyes blinked open, the corners crinkling as he saw her standing there in a towel. “Come back to bed.”
“Nope. I don’t have time. I promised Van I’d get to the restaurant early to help decorate.”
Daniel sat up. “The baby shower. I forgot about that.”
She smiled. “No such luck, pal. On the plus side, it’s only a few hours and then we can come back here.”
“That makes it sound slightly more appealing.”
“I also made my brothers promise that there won’t be any shenanigans. No football games, no pig stampedes. You’ll leave as unblemished as you arrive.”
He grinned. “I’m not afraid of your brothers.”
No, he wasn’t. They’d welcomed him into the family with open arms, treating him like one of them. One by one, they’d told her how much they liked him, and what a good guy he was.
It made her warm inside.
“Are you going to meet me there?” she asked, unravelling the towel, and ignoring the way his eyes darkened as he watched. She slid her underwear on, then pulled a dress over her head, searching in the dresser drawers for her hair dryer.
“Yeah, there are a couple of things I need to do first.”
“At the distillery?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at him.
“Nope. In town.”
“Don’t tell me, you’re going to the salon for a back, crack, and sac wax.”
Daniel grinned. “I’m not a masochist. Gray wanted some help with something at the studio. Maybe he’s taking some equipment to the restaurant, I don’t know.”
Becca shrugged. “Okay. I’ll see you at the restaurant this afternoon.”
Daniel climbed out of bed and kissed her cheek. She could feel the warmth of his skin against hers. “That you will. By the way, you look beautiful.”
“My hair’s wet and I haven’t put on any make up.”
“Exactly. Beautiful.” He winked and walked over to the bathroom, his swagger making her smile. Damn, he was gorgeous, even in his black jersey shorts, his hair all mussed. Her mouth felt dry as she watched the muscles in his back ripple as he pushed the door open.
“I know you’re looking at me,” he said, still staring ahead.
“I’m just wondering if I’ll look that old when I get to your age,” she teased.
He laughed. “I’m looking forward to finding out.”
Five pairs of eyes stared back at him. Five mouths unspeaking. Daniel crossed his legs and bit down a smile. It was like being at an interview, but worse, because he knew he didn’t deserve this job.
But he wanted it anyway.
“I’m not asking for your permission,” he said, his voice deep. “I’m just showing you respect by informing you of my intentions. Any permission has to come from Becca.”
Their father stood, and gave Daniel a nod. He’d quietly accepted Daniel into the family, saying hello whenever Daniel came to his house for dinner. Aunt Gina, on the other hand, always gushed over him. It made Becca laugh when she tried every way she could to see Daniel’s chest again. “It’s fine by me,” Becca’s father said. “Now I need to find my paper. I was halfway through my crossword.”