“What exactly are you going to show me?” I ask, hoping to change the subject.
“You’ll see in a few minutes,” he says, making me turn my head. We pull up to a gorgeous two-story home with white siding and a black roof. There are lush green hedges lining both sides of the house and the cutest Prius parked in the driveway. This is the kind of place I imagine when I picture the American dream. It is cute, but maybe a bit too cookie-cutter for my taste.
“Hey, bud,” Knox whispers, tapping the end of Milo’s sneaker dangling from his car seat. He stirs slightly but keeps his eyes closed.
“He does this cute thing where he pretends like he’s sleeping, so I’ll carry him in,” he sighs, unbuckling his seat belt and sliding out of the driver’s side. I inwardly groan and will myself not to melt at the sight of Knox carrying his nephew inside the house.
“You coming?” he asks, carefully maneuvering Milo’s seat belt over his head.
“You want me to come inside?” I ask, arching my brow.
“Yes and no,” Knox says, settling his nephew on his hip. “Mostly, I know if you don’t come inside, Henry and Emma will grill me with questions about you, and there’s a goodchance I won’t make it out of there alive. If you come, we can cut that time in half.”
“Do they know about us?” I ask, softly shutting my door and jogging up beside him.
“They know that I’m seeing someone,” he says, playing it much cooler than me. I knew I’d have to meet his family, but I was hoping it’d be in a controlled environment where I’d have plenty of time to mentally prepare myself. Instead, I’m being thrown into the belly of the beast.
“I should also add,” he says, pausing at the bottom of the porch steps. “Henry knows about our past.”
“Well, that was our backstory, right?” I ask, confused. “We reconnected and now we’re madly in love. Never to part ways again.”
A playful grin dances on his lips, but he pushes away any smart comebacks. “Yes, that and he knows how beat up I was over everything. He kind of knows the same version as Beau, where you broke my heart. Just don’t be surprised if he’s protective of me—all of that big brother bullshit and whatnot.”
A tiny giggle erupts from Knox’s arm, and his grin widens. “I knew you were awake, you little brat,” he jokes, tickling his sides. Milo bursts out into full-on laughter as Knox continues to squeeze his sides, making butterflies erupt in my stomach. Who would’ve thought I, of all people, would have a thing for men who are good with kids?
“Are you going to come inside or are you going to keep torturing my son?” a voice asks from the top of the stairs. I was so caught up in the cuteness unfolding in front of me that I completely missed the front door squeaking open.
Standing there is a beautiful blonde woman, a little taller than me, wrapping a cardigan tighter around her body. And then I see her green eyes glittering in the porch light, and I instantly make the connection that it’s Milo’s mom.
Another figure appears—which I’m assuming is Henry, Knox’s brother. He looks almost nothing like Knox, save for the similar build and painted-on smirk that’s almost friendly enough to be a smile. He doesn’t really look like Milo, which makes me question who the kid’s father is, but I quickly suppress said questions because it’s none of my business.
“Sorry, Sis,” Knox grins, letting Milo wiggle out of his arms to run into his mom’s. She scoops him up and wraps him in a big hug. “We’re slightly past curfew. Milo was my little helper tonight and did a fantastic job.”
“I told you not to call me that, prick,” she groans. I think I like this girl. “Are you going to introduce us to your friend?” Okay, maybe not. Heat rushes up the nape of my neck.
“Emma and Henry, this is Emery,” Knox announces, stepping aside. “My girlfriend.”
There it is. The first time we’ve usedthattitle, and it leaves a nasty taste at the back of my throat, but I smile through it and try to act my part.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I smile, tucking my hands behind my back to avoid any awkward handshaking. I feel Henry’s heavy gaze analyzing me, but I stay in character. Based on Knox’s comments from a few moments ago, he is going to be the hardest one to convince.
Knox senses the lingering stare and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close. My pulse speeds up, making me question how much caffeine I’ve consumed today. That’s a much better solution than the warm body pressed up against me.
“Do you two want to come in for a drink?” Emma says with a twinkle in her eye. I pinch Knox’s side, hoping he’ll politely turn down the invitation. I’m already way in over my head. I need time to regroup and rediscover my filter. Maybe even think of a few nice things to say about my significant other that don’t involve snide remarks.
“I need to get Emery home, but we should do dinner sometime,” Knox replies before turning to me. “Henry is an amazing cook.”
A scoff slips past Emma’s lips, and Henry drapes his arm around her with love in his eyes. “Don’t listen to him. You’re getting better,Pajarito,” he reassures her before focusing on us again. “I’m teaching her that garlic powder isn’t the only spice you should use when cooking.”
I press my lips together, muffling a quiet laugh. Knox squeezes me tighter against him, sending a small pang that echoes off the side of my steadying heart.
“I don’t even own garlic powder, so she’s one step ahead of me,” I joke, sending Emma a reaffirming nod.
She answers with a warm smile. “Oh, I like her, Knox,” she winks, adjusting Milo on her hip, “but yes to dinner. Let’s schedule something for this week and invite George and Crystal.”
“They just started dating,” Henry interjects. “Maybe we should hold back on inviting the parents just yet.”
“No, I’d love to meet them,” I chirp up. What I’d really love is to speed up this process, and that involves getting Knox’s dad on board with his new lifestyle as a changed man. The sooner I impress the dad, the better.
