Underneath it all, however, I could’ve sworn I felt something sharper. I knew it was because for once, all eyes were on me. Dad’s assessing gaze, Jameson’s amused glances, Sadie’s knowing smile, Laney’s sweet, understanding attempts to draw Maisie into conversation, Sterling’s arched eyebrow, and Harrison’s smug fucking smirk.
They allknew, and they were being damn loud about it without saying a word. I wasn’t used to being on this side of it. I was never the center of attention at the table, but now, the spotlight was on me. For once, I didn’t hate it.
Mostly because Maisie was sitting right there beside me and Brody was across the table, holding court with a story about his last game. If I was being honest, I’d admit that in this moment, the weight of my family’s expectations didn’t feel like a burden. It felt like possibility.
“Brody, I’d like to hear about your game too,” Sadie said warmly.
Laney was on her other side and she leaned over as well, already asking about hockey, his school, and all of the rest of his hobbies. In no time at all, the two of them had him giggling, distracted from the fact he was surrounded by strangers in a house too big to be real.
That left CC free to lean forward, her eyes bright and curious as she turned them on Maisie. “I’m so happy you two could join us tonight, darling. Tell me everything there is to know about you. Where did you grow up? Do you cook? Are you a coffee-in-the-morning person, or one of those crazy people who skip it?”
Maisie blinked, laughing softly before an overwhelmed smile spread across her lips. “Oh, uh, okay. Well, I grew up in Michigan, I do cook, and I’m not human until after my second cup of coffee.”
“Excellent,” CC said seriously, nodding like she was taking mental notes. “Those are important qualities. A love of coffee means you’ll survive in this family.”
Sterling was seated beside Mom, and he gave Maisie a polite smile as he tuned into the conversation. “What about your family? Are they still in Michigan?”
“They are,” she said. “They even all still live in the same neighborhood where I grew up, except for one of my brothers. He moved across town for his job.”
Harrison perked up instantly, suddenly grinning at her like he’d just met a celebrity. “Yeah, Carter Morgan. I’m a huge fan.”
Maisie chuckled, her head shaking slightly as her cheeks flushed. “He’d be mortified if he heard you say that. To us, he’s just Michael.”
“Michael?” Harrison said, leaning over like he just couldn’t help himself. “No, I’m talking about Carter. The way he makes it feel like you’re right there at the game with him? Legendary.”
Maisie’s smile turned proud. “He really does love what he does. He works so hard, but his first name is Michael. Michael Carter Morgan. He thought Carter sounded cooler for TV.”
“I didn’t know that. Does he talk shop with you?” Harrison asked excitedly, completely skipping past her brother’s name or any questions about who he actually was, interested solely in his career. “Does he give you the inside scoop? Predictions?”
“Not really,” Maisie said. “When we talk, he usually just wants to ask what our mom wants for her birthday or find out whether I’m keeping up with laundry.”
Jameson leaned back in his chair and smirked. “It looks like we’ve finally found someone Harrison likes more than Callum.”
“Hey,” I muttered, but I couldn’t help the grin that spread on my face. “It’s not my fault none of our ancestors have gone into the sports industry. Hell, I would’ve loved to be a broadcaster. I would’ve been great at it, too.”
Jameson rolled his eyes at me before he focused on Maisie. “What about you? I heard you used to be a diver. Have you stuck around the sports industry yourself?”
“No, I’m a teacher. Math. At a charter school just outside the city.”
“A teacher,” Mom said warmly. “How wonderful, and math? You must be a genius.”
Maisie’s cheeks flushed the prettiest rosy hue of pink I’d ever seen. I imagined it had to be the same color she would blush after a particularly satisfying orgasm. Internally, I groaned and tried to dislodge the thought. I’d been so good about keeping my mind out of the gutter recently, but shit, I really was attracted to this girl.
While I tried to remind myself that she was going to be my wife and that I had to keep myself under control—at least for now, until she was ready tonotlock herself in a bathroom after just a kiss—their conversation kept flowing.
Sterling’s voice broke into my thoughts, quiet but surprisingly kind. “Do you get to see your parents much? It must be hard, with them still in Michigan.”
Mom nodded her agreement and glanced at Brody. “They must miss him something awful.”
“We don’t see them as much as we’d like,” Maisie admitted. “My dad is a teacher too, so it’s hard for him to get away outside of breaks. My mom is actually flying out here in a few days, though. Just for a visit. I can’t wait.”
My fork paused halfway to my mouth.Her mom is coming? Is it because of us?
She must’ve already told her what was happening, and the thought stirred something in me. If Maisie was inviting her mom, maybe I needed to step up my plans for a ceremony. A courthouse wedding suddenly felt too small and too impersonal, not nearly nice enough.
“Family support is everything,” CC said warmly, reaching out to brush Maisie’s arm. “That’ll be so special, having her here. You must invite her to dinner, darling. We’d love to meet her.”
“Special?” Jameson snorted. “The poor woman will be pulling her hair out five minutes into dinner. The first Westwood family dinner is more like a trial by fire. We should spare her.”
