A slow smile creeps over his face as he leans in to kiss me. “Everything, huh?”
I blush. “Every hot and incredible and…”overwhelming and lovely and addicting and heart stealing and mind shattering…“Everything.”
His face softens before he walks away to shower, leaving the door open in invitation. I mean, I’m not going to say no now…
After the shower, we head to the store to pick up dessert for dinner at Declan’s tonight. Declan said we don’t need to bring anything, but that doesn’t sit well with me. I need to make a good impression.
The store hums with early afternoon busyness. Carts clatter and fluorescent lights buzz overhead as a kid cries somewhere in the distance.I’m so not ready to be a parent.
Jordan walks beside me, one hand holding a basket, the other holding his phone. “Declan says we can come anytime. Seth is making ribs and baked potatoes. Piper is bringing her famous pasta salad.”
“Cool.” I hope I sound chill. Inside, I’m nervous as hell.
After grabbing the pound cake in the bakery, I turn around to go pick up some strawberries. I should be relaxed. This is normal stuff. Domestic, even. But my stomach is tight as we walk toward the produce section.
Where is the confidence of my work experience now? I meet new people every six months there. Butthisis notthat.This is bigger. So, so much bigger. I mean, I’m meeting Jordan’sfamilytoday.His found family. The people who mean everything to him.
Ineedthem to like me.
Jordan glances over at me, putting a hand on my back like he already knows I’m spiraling a little. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just, um, thinking about whipped cream.”
He smirks. “In a dirty way, I hope.”
I shove him, grinning. “Well, now I am, thanks.”
His warm laugh immediately settles my nerves. I love that I can make him laugh.
Jordan freezes for half a second, smiling wide. “Oh, hey, guys.”
Two men are standing by the strawberries—one with a gray-flecked beard and a kind face, the other a little younger, in a sharp denim jacket with toned legs. Really, really toned legs. Both turn when they hear Jordan, perking up immediately.
“Jordan!” the older man says, voice bright and easy. “What are you doing here, slumming it with civilians?”
Jordan grins. “Picking up dessert. We’re going to Declan’s for dinner so they can meet Miles.” He reaches for me. “Miles, meet Pete and Andy. They’re regulars at the bar and friends of Declan’s.”
My mouth is instantly dry and my jaw drops. Pete hasn’t spoken either. We’re staring at each other like two cats caught in an unknown territory.
It’s him. My uncle! My mom’s younger brother who I haven’t seen ineight long years. He became the black sheep of the family when he left his wife for…
My gaze darts over to Andy.His partner.
I blink hard, my past crashing into my present. I was twenty when Pete disappeared from holidays and birthday get-togethers. But now, he’s standing right in front of me, a basket of strawberries in one hand and a look of confused recognition on his face.
“Miles?” Pete sets his carton of strawberries down like he’s afraid he might drop it. “Holy shit. Is it really you?”
I swallow hard and step around Jordan to crush Uncle Pete in a long overdue hug. He claps me hard on the shoulders, laughing in shocked dismay. “This is incredible. What are you doing here?”
I huff out a laugh. “I came to see Jordan. We met online and… yeah. Oh, my God. I can’t believe you’re here!”
Jordan points between us. “Wait—you two know each other?”
Pete grins and tucks me to his side, arms around my shoulders. “Miles is my nephew.”
Andy jerks to awareness, staring at me like a puzzle piece just clicked into place. “Miles?As intheMiles?” Pete nods. “Wow! I’ve heard so much about you. You were really close before…” he trails off, glancing at Pete.
Pete shrugs it off, still smiling at me. “Yeah, we were. It’s so good to see you.”
