My chest warms, as if I’ve just hugged a puppy. I love that he wants to take care of his mom. “She passed the trait on to you.”
He sips from his wine absent-mindedly. Then he focuses, as if an idea suddenly struck him.
“Would you mind talking to her?”
His question shocks the hell out of me because Nate never asks for help. For as long as I’ve known him, he’s never reached out to ask for anything, not of me or any of my siblings.
“Sure. I’ll talk to her.”
“Thank you, Alice. I thought maybe having someone who isn’t me talking to her might change her mind.”
“Should I call her?”
“How about paying her a visit?”
“I’d love to. I haven’t seen her in years.” My mind is already reeling with arguments I could use to convince her, and my throat prickles with unease. When it comes to family matters, I’ve always been better at delegating such issues. For example, Pippa is the best person to calm Sebastian’s and Logan’s fears of becoming fathers. Logan is the best person to convince Daniel it’s okay to change gears when your initial plan isn’t working out. But this is important to Nate, and I’ll do my best. It’s a good thing we’re heading out to visit her in person; I’ll have the opportunity to take in her body language as I feel out the situation. I swear my heart grew in size because my man asked me for help.
Since we’re both done with dinner, I rise from my chair, heading to Nate and straddling him. He runs his thumb over my mouth, splaying his hand wide on my neck and jaw. When he looks at me, something in his expression tips me off that he realizes this is a big step for him, and for us. That this requires another level of trust. I lean into his touch like I’m starved for affection, even though goodness knows I shouldn’t be. He showers me with attention and caresses every chance he gets—and I make sure he gets lots of chances— but the more I receive, the more I want.
“Talked to my mom today too. She and Dad are planning a big picnic two weeks from now, on Saturday. You’re invited, of course.”
Nate grins. “Ah, and I assume everyone will be there?”
I nod. “You’re not going to escape the questioning rounds, I’m afraid.”
“They like me already.”
“Aha! That line of thinking will get you into trouble, mister.”
“I can take whatever they throw at me. Or fire at me. It?
?s gonna be a firing squad out there, but I can handle them. I know your family, and I won’t disappoint them. Their approval is important to me too.”
“I’ll talk you up, tell them all about this lovely dinner and how you take care of me and make me smile.”
“Interesting how now you withhold all those negative traits you always tease me with.”
I huff, kissing his forehead before patting his shoulder. Clueless man. “I want my family to approve of you, not cut your balls off.”
“I know them—”
“Shit!”
I’ve no idea how I managed it, but I’ve knocked Nate’s glass of wine off. Its content spilled right onto me, and I’m soaked. Great! Red wine doesn’t wash off.
“I can throw this shirt away,” I mutter. “Do you mind if I shower now?”
“Only if I can’t join you in that shower.”
“Always with the dirty mind.”
“Always,” he confirms.
“No, you can’t join me.” Leaning in, I whisper, “You wait for me in the bedroom.”
***
Nate