He looks different outside the office, more relaxed in dark jeans and a gray sweater that matches his eyes. The casual clothes make him seem younger somehow, less like the intimidating CEO who rebuilt an empire and more like a man who's nervous about introducing a woman to his family.
"I said I would," I manage, though he might be aware that doesn't mean much. I've become an expert at keeping promises while keeping my distance.
"I know." His smile is warm, understanding. "Come in. Fair warning, Jake's been preparing embarrassing childhood stories all week."
I laugh nervously and step inside.
The entry hall is all rich wood and family photos, decades of memories lining the walls. I catch glimpses as Dylan leads me through: a young Dylan in a graduation cap, Jake with a soccer trophy, family vacations and holiday gatherings, and everyday moments captured and cherished. This is what a home looks like when it's full of love.
"Avery!" A woman's voice calls out, and then Margaret Vance is there, elegant in a way that speaks of confidence rather than effort. She takes both my hands in hers, her smile genuine and welcoming. "We're so glad Dylan brought you. He's told us wonderful things."
I glance at Dylan, who has the grace to look slightly embarrassed. "Mom."
"What? I'm not allowed to be happy if my son finally brings someone to dinner?" She squeezes my hands gently. "Come, everyone's in the living room arguing about whether the Warriors have a chance this season."
The living room is warm and lived-in, nothing like the formal spaces Oliver's family inhabited. Thomas Vance, Dylan’s father whose face I remember from the magazines, rises from a leather armchair when we enter, those same gray eyes Dylan inherited assessing me with sharp kindness.
"Avery," he says, offering his hand. "Dylan tells us you're the one keeping him honest on the Miller deal."
"Someone has to," I reply, and his laugh is rich and approving.
"Good. He needs people willing to challenge him."
Jake bounds over with the energy of someone who never quite grew out of being the younger sibling. "So you're the famous Avery who has my brother actually leaving the office before midnight."
"Jake," Dylan warns, but there's affection in it.
"What? It's true. Three months ago, you were practically living at the office. Now suddenly you have reasons to go home at reasonable hours." Jake grins at me. "I like you already."
Dinner is Italian, served family-style with everyone reaching across each other for bread and passing dishes with easy familiarity. The conversation flows naturally, topics shifting from business to books to Jake's latest dating disaster that has everyone laughing while he protests their lack of sympathy.
"She said she was allergic to commitment," Jake complains, helping himself to more pasta. "Who says that on a second date?"
"Someone being honest about what they want," Margaret says gently. "Better to know early than be surprised later."
I feel Dylan's eyes on me at that, but I focus on my wine, on the way the light catches in the crystal, on anything but the understanding in his gaze.
Thomas asks me about my work at Collins & Associates, and I find myself relaxing as we discuss a recent precedent-setting case. He listens like my thoughts matter, asks follow-up questions that show he's genuinely interested, not just being polite. Margaret chimes in with her own observations, clearly someone who's been part of business conversations for decades and holds her own with quiet authority.
"You clerked for Judge Harrison?" Thomas asks, impressed. "She's brilliant. Tough, but brilliant."
"She taught me that being right isn't enough if you can't articulate why," I say. "That precision matters as much as passion in law."
"Sounds like someone else I know," Jake says, nudging Dylan. "Mr. Everything-Has-To-Be-Perfect over here once made me redo a report seven times because one footnote wasn't properly formatted."
"It was going to the board," Dylan protests. "Details matter."
"Seven times, Dylan. Seven. Times."
The banter continues, stories flowing like wine, each one revealing more about this family that teases and supports in equal measure. Dylan tells a story about Jake's first business presentation where he accidentally included vacation photos instead of quarterly projections. Jake retaliates with a tale of Dylan trying to impress a girl in high school by writing her a business proposal for why they should date.
"It had charts," Jake says gleefully. "Actual charts showing compatibility metrics."
"I was sixteen," Dylan groans. "And if I remember correctly, you helped make those charts."
"Because I'm a supportive brother."
"Because I paid you twenty dollars."
