Bash's groan rumbles beside me. "Addie, boundaries."
"What? It's true."
A genuine laugh escapes me, the tension in my shoulders melting. "Sure, you can take my picture."
The camera clicks several times before she lowers it, her gaze dissecting me. "You're pretty. And you look smart. Are you smart?"
"Addie!" Sarah and Bash scold in harmony.
"I'd like to think so," I reply, charmed by her bulldozer directness.
She gives a satisfied nod. "Good. Uncle Bash needs someone smart. Most of the girls he's dated had the IQ of a potato."
Bash's face disappears behind his hands. "And we're done here. Let's go inside before you ruin any chance I have with this woman."
Sarah laughs, linking her arm through mine as we head toward the house. "Don't mind my daughter. But she's right—you are the first. Bash has never introduced us to anyone he's dating."
The weight of her words settles over me. This isn't just about putting on a show for my ex. There's something more happening here, something real and fragile and terrifying.
As we reach the porch, I glance back at Bash, who's carrying their bags and listening to something Addie is telling him. He catches my eye and smiles—a smile so genuine it makes my chest ache.
What have I gotten myself into? This was supposed to be simple. Pretend to date, make Ethan jealous, get through the vacation.
But standing here, about to introduce Bash's family to mine, with the memory of his kiss still fresh in my mind, I realize there's nothing simple about this entire situation.
Chapter twenty-one
Bash
The Whitakers' home brims with laughter as we enter. Charlie holds the door open for us and then slips her hand into mine, squeezing gently as I step inside. I'm not sure if it's for show or something more, but I squeeze back anyway.
"Mom! Dad! Look who's here," Charlie calls out.
Margaret appears from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishcloth. Her face brightens when she spots all of us.
"Oh! You must be Sebastian's family! What a wonderful surprise!" She rushes forward, embracing my sister with the enthusiasm usually reserved for long-lost relatives.
Sarah looks momentarily startled but recovers quickly, returning the hug.
"It's lovely to meet you. Thank you for having us on such short notice."
"Mom this is Sarah and her daughter Addie." Charlie looks between everyone with a warm smile.
I fucking love that smile.
Richard emerges from his study, and offers a handshake to Sarah and a warm smile to Addie. "Any family of Sebastian's is welcome here. We've got plenty of room."
"Let me show you to your rooms," Margaret says, already leading them toward the stairs. "We have the Maple Room for Sarah and the Juniper Room for you, Addie—it has the most stunning view of the mountains."
I watch them disappear upstairs, a strange warmth spreading through me. This easy acceptance, this immediate inclusion—it's foreign to me. Growing up,our house was never the gathering place. Dad traveled constantly, and Mom was always too concerned with appearances to make guests feel genuinely welcome.
"Hey." Charlie nudges me, pulling me from my thoughts. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Just... your family is really something."
She smiles. "They can be overwhelming."
"In a good way."
