The sound of a slapping hand and Garrett’s grumbled, “Stop it,” paint the picture of my brother pinching my boyfriend’s cheeks.
“Don’t worry, daddy, we won’t break her,” Catherine teases, hugging me tighter.
“She’ll be fine for whatever sexy hotel shenanigans you have planned for later,” Kayla quips.
“Gross…” Anker makes a gagging noise.
“Kayla, we’ve discussed this, no mentioning of Garrett and my sex life in front of Anker.” Laughter curls my lips as I shake my head.
“I’m just happy to hear Garrett has some sort of sex life again.” A male voice, which I recognize as Bryce’s, breaks into our little group.
He and Garrett’s tenors are both deep and a little rumbly. However, Bryce’s is boosted with this hint of mischief. On the outside, Bryce and Garrett appear so similar. Each is well over six feet with broad shoulders and Viking-like builds—something my Danish father appreciates about my boyfriend. Each has chestnut hair and green eyes. While Garrett has an almost always present five o’clock shadow, a neat beard accentuates Bryce’s strong jawline. Kayla described the Marlowe brothers in great detail while fanning herself and sighing, “That gene pool is a deep well of sexy.”
“Nice job, you two.” Bryce embraces me and then his brother. “And also, don’t be mad at me. You know how she is.”
“How who is?” Garrett pulls back, confusion likely furrowing his brow.
“Oh my god!” a random woman, whose voice I don’t recognize, squeals before barreling into Garrett.
“Lara,” he says, the breath seeming to whoosh out of him.
Lara?I incline my head. I’m assuming the Lara currently tackle-hugging my boyfriend is his younger sister.
“He just ran a half-marathon, let him breathe.” Bryce’s chide is warm.
“What are you doing here?” Garrett’s tone teeters between bemused and exasperated, causing me to lift one eyebrow.
She slaps his arm. “Like I’d miss a chance to meet my big brother’s new girlfriend.”
“You’ve met Jensen before.” He shakes his head.
“Not when she was yourgirlfriend.” She places her hands on her hips. “You’re lucky this weekend clashed with mom’s library fundraiser, or else she’d be here too. Can’t believe you kept this from the family!”
He kept this—me—from his family?Queasiness sloshes in my stomach.
“Technically not the whole family.” A smirk is evident in Bryce’s cheeky comment.
“Don’t remind me.” She wags a finger at her older brother. “Your collusion in his hiding Jensen from us is only forgiven because of your inability to keep a secret for long, ensuring you let it slip at last week’s family dinner.”
Garrett puffs out a short breath. “We had enough to focus on without making this a whole Marlowe family interrogation of my girlfriend.”
“He saidmy girlfriend.” Lara mock swoons. “Is our dear brother smitten?” She elbows Bryce.
“Yes.” Garrett loops his arm around my shoulder and presses a soft kiss to my temple.
“Stop! Adorable!” She clutches her chest.
“Did you fly from Boston just to harass my girlfriend?”
“He said it again. Girlfriend!” she squeals. “Yes… Also, why are you hiding her from us?”
“More like saving her from your obnoxiousness.”
“Whatever.” She flicks her wrist. “She’s going to love me. Probably already does. Hi, Jensen. I’m so happy to see you again.” Lara envelops me in a tight squeeze. Just like her older brothers, she’s tall—at least six feet—but with a curvier figure and long dark hair.
“Hi, I’m Jensen.” I cringe. “I mean, yeah, I’m Jensen. But…ah…you already know that…” A staccato-like laugh huffs out of me as I step back. “I mean, hi. It’s nice to see you again.”
“You’re adorable.” She grasps my hands. “No wonder Garri is gone for you.”
