Cay tugged on my arm. “No, I want to meet everyone. Let’s go.”
I sucked in a loud, exaggerated breath. However, the second I glanced to the side and spotted the way Mom beamed, that was worth staying for.
“All right, Mel. Lead the way.”
We’d been at the party for several hours now, and somehow Cay had not only gotten several life stories out of members of my family, but they were already including him with their inside jokes.
I clutched my scotch, reaching critical mass when it came to socializing. When we got home, I was either going to need to hide away for the next day or fuck Cay into the mattress or both.
I leaned against the wall, watching Cay in action. He was talking to my aunt Meredith, who had her arm wrapped around his shoulder as if he were her new best friend. He seemed to have that effect on everyone, that natural charisma that had drawn me in from the outset. But unlike everyone else, he had chosen me.
Cay glanced up to meet my eyes, and the softness in his dark ones set my heart beating harder. Goddamn, this man turned me upside down, and I hoped it never stopped.
“Your dad would’ve loved him.” Mom’s words startled me, as I hadn’t even realized she had approached.
My throat tightened. It was something I’d dwelled on quite a bit, wondering what he would’ve thought. “You think?”
“I know so,” she said, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “Your father always just wanted the two of you boys happy, regardless of who you chose. And, Cay? I’ve never seen you light up around anyone the way you do with him.”
My eyes heated a little, but I refused to cry at a family gathering. I wasn’t going to pull an Aunt Hilary, damn it. “Yeah, I think I’m going to keep him.”
“Good,” Mom said, leaning in to press a kiss against my cheek. “I want the same thing your dad did—just to see you happy.”
I nodded, unable to form any more words. It was the one question that had still been lingering in the back of my mind. My dad’s presence had been larger than life, one that remained present with us. And the hairs on my forearm lifted as if he was here with us right now, giving his seal of approval.
“Oh no, we should probably save him from Aunt Meredith, though,” Mom said, wrinkling her nose.
Aunt Meredith was definitely all up in his space now. Lord, my aunts had never been this handsy before.
I started walking over before Mom could, my legs carrying me fast in his direction. Cay looked up, gratitude flashing over his features. My boyfriend was an inveterate people pleaser, but I sure as hell wasn’t and had no problem telling people to back off.
“Hey, I’ve got to steal Cay,” I said, grabbing his hand and all but yanking him away from her.
“I’ll finish my story later,” Aunt Meredith said, a slight slur to her voice as she sloshed the wine around in her wineglass.
“Can’t wait to hear it,” Cay said, all genuine and sunshine.
“You really don’t need to,” I muttered. “I can sum every story of hers up with ‘Don’t take your stylist’s opinions as gospel truth.’”
“I don’t know,” Cay said with a shrug. “Tai seemed to be pretty on the mark with us.”
I snorted. “A fact he will never let us live down.” I guided him toward the back of Emery’s house through the sliding doors. “I don’t know about you, but I need a breath of fresh air.”
“Yes, please.” Cay slipped his hand in mine, and I stepped out onto the back patio first. Emery’s backyard was nicely trimmed, a hammock and gazebo with fairy lights to the left. No one was lingering out herebecause there was a bite in the air tonight, but that made it perfect for me. Hand in hand, we walked in that direction, only letting go to settle into the outdoor seating.
The chill of the seat seeped in through my pants, but I needed it with how hot the inside of the house was getting with all the people there.
Cay reached over and threaded his fingers through mine again, over the glass top of the table. “Everyone’s been great. Really welcoming.” The fairy lights cast this beautiful glow over his skin while the shadows sharpened his jawline, his proud nose. He was so stunning, and my chest cracked open, overflowing with pride and sheer happiness at having him by my side.
“I love you,” I murmured.
His eyes widened but then softened with that effervescent warmth. “I love you too, Beck. So damn much.”
I squeezed his hand hard as my heart lunged. For so long, I’d struggled with the idea that I’d ever find anyone. I was well aware I was difficult to love, but Cay made it feel effortless. And in turn, every new thing I discovered about him charmed me while everything I already knew made me love him more.
A slight breeze rolled through, but the chill didn’t slice through this bubble of heat and comfort between us. His hand was in mine, and that touch lit a torch in me that was in no danger of burning out.
“Let’s just stay out here a little bit longer,” I murmured.
