“The lake house. He didn’t know—he didn’t plan anything—but he made it happen all the same.” I squeeze Kane’s hand. “It’s pretty eye-opening, meeting the love of your life.”
For a second, you can hear the lights hum in the room.
“So I’ve heard,” Ethan says abruptly. “I wondered when you’d get serious and stop dating losers, Sis. It must be serious if he’s here to pass the smell test.”
Ethan leans in like the Neanderthal he is, making a big snorting show of sniffing the air.
I’m so dead.
“I’m here for Margot,” Kane says gruffly, leaning back in his chair, unfazed by my dumbass brother.
Ethan’s big, but Kane is just as broad, and right now they’re two bull moose locking verbal horns.
“Ethan,” Hattie hisses. “Behave.”
“Kane, it’s okay,” I whisper, firing him a glance.
Kane relaxes and smiles. “Your brother’s protective. That’s a good thing.”
“Oh, I’m too hungry for bickering,” Mom says, already moving toward the chef and the food.
“It’s good to have you here,” Dad says, holding out his hand to Kane. “We haven’t met properly yet.”
Technically, they met yesterday when I brought the journal, but that was intense and quick.
No more than the briefest introductions, not with everyone laser-focused on the journal.
Kane levers up out of his seat and takes Dad’s hand with an easy smile. “Kane Saint.”
“Scott Blackthorn,” Dad says. “This spoiled miscreant’s father. Trust me, I made her this way.”
He’s so shameless.
I roll my eyes.
But at least his eyes aren’t flashing with skepticism like with the handful of other guys I’ve brought home. Dad might not have a nose for much besides luxury and investments, but he can tell a man from a boy.
And Kane Saint is no freaking fuckboy like Kelso.
Dad’s warmth tells me he sees a better man.
A realman.
I think that’s why my father’s face tightens and his knuckles turn white as he grips Kane’s hand.
“I must warn you,” he whispers, “if you hurt my daughter, I’ll make sure you pay dearly.”
“Dad, seriously? Can we just be civilized?”
“Scott, listen to her.” Mom glides back to greet Kane with a hug and a kiss on both cheeks. “Don’t listen to him. We just wantto see our little girl happy. There’s been too much turmoil in this family for a long time.”
“For Margot, anything,” Kane promises, shooting me a smile that makes my heart flutter.
Only the love of this man saves me from wilting with embarrassment.
Later, Hattie curls up on the sofa with me and stares across the room at Kane.
“Wow, he’s way taller in real life! I knew hockey guys were big, but man…” She whistles dramatically.
