“You got it.”
The second she turned to grab a box, Tilly felt Kayden’s eyes on her. She glanced at him. “What?” The question was supposed to be innocent, but if the look on Kayden’s face was anything to go by, she’d missed the mark.
“A dozen?”
“There are going to be six of us there, one being an eight-year-old with a sweet tooth. Two desserts each probably isn’t even enough. I should have asked for eighteen or twenty.”
He groaned. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Smile and agree to everything I say?”
He laughed.
“I want to make a good impression at my first family dinner,” she added quietly.
Kayden lowered his mouth to her ear. “I like hearing you refer to my family as yours.”
Tilly lifted a shoulder. “Youfeel like family, so it makes sense.”
He growled and nuzzled her neck. “Hell yes, I am.”
The girl placed a closed box onto the counter. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” She went to pull out her card, but Kayden beat her to it. “Hey!”
“At least let me pay and get one thing tonight.”
She shook her head, a smile on her face as she looked back to the girl. “Do you know when Mrs. Sandler will be back?”
“Well, Sadie’s wedding is in a week, so not too long.”
“Great.”
When they got back in the car, far too many treats in hand, nerves began to tingle Tilly’s spine. Harper and Cody had organized the dinner at their new place, and even though Tilly got along with everyone, this felt different. Maybe becauseEastern was the sheriff, and a week ago he’d taken her into the station for questioning. Or maybe just because tonight felt important, being a family dinner and all.
She was quiet almost the entire drive but didn’t miss Kayden’s eyes on her. He parked in front of the house, and it was only on the way to the front door that he leaned down and touched his lips to her ear as he whispered, “Relax.”
“Iamrelaxed.” Lie. Big fat lie.
And of course Kayden knew that. His arm around her waist tightened, and even though she wore a dress, she felt that graze of his thumb like he’d touched bare skin.
They’d barely knocked when the front door opened, and they both looked down to see Avery standing in front of them. She flung her arms around Kayden and he lifted her up. “How’s my favorite niece today?”
She giggled. “Uncle Kay, I’m your only niece.”
“What? My only niece? What happened to all the rest?”
She laughed again before looking at Tilly. The eight-year-old opened her mouth but before she could say anything, her gaze lowered to the box and her eyes widened. “Are they from Sugar and Spice?”
“Sure are. I asked for a bit of everything, so hopefully there’s at least some of your favorites in here.”
Avery gasped and wiggled out of Kayden’s arms before running back into the house.
Tilly chuckled as she stepped inside and closed the door. Cody and Harper were in the kitchen preparing food, while Eastern poured drinks.
“Daddy!” Avery cried. “Tilly brought dessert from Sugar and Spice.”
Humor glittered in his eyes. “Guess you better eat all your dinner then.”
