Dylan
We were walkingtoward baggage claim when Faye came to a stop in the middle of the terminal.
“I’m not going to have any of my things,” she stated, sounding slightly panicked.
Jase tilted his head. “What?”
“My things,” she reiterated. “I checked my bags for my flight to Boston. I don’t have any clothes.”
“That’s not really a problem, Princess.” I smirked.
She shot me a glare. “Maybe if we were staying at a hotel, but we’re going to be with your family. Besides, it’s not just my clothes. I don’t have any of my toiletries, not even a toothbrush.”
Jase wrapped an arm around her shoulder as we started moving again. “Cammie probably has something you can wear. After we get settled at the house, we can go to a store to pick up the toiletries you need to get through the night, then we can go shopping tomorrow.”
She nodded. “Okay. That’s probably better anyway. I doubt any of my island clothes would work well with this rainy, cold weather.”
A few minutes after we got to baggage claim, the carousel whirled to life, and I glanced at Jase. “Do you think we should give our dads a heads-up that we’re bringing Faye home?”
He shook his head. “And give them time to think of the most embarrassing stories to share on the drive to their house? Absolutely not.”
“Good point,” I agreed.
Faye laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m sure I can convince them to give me all the tea on you guys.”
“It won’t take much,” I grumbled.
“So, how long are you planning to stay, Princess?” Jase asked as the sliding glass doors opened, and a blast of cool Portland air hit our faces. It was a stark contrast to the warm island temps we’d left behind.
She lowered her sunglasses. “Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead. It was all just a spur-of-the-moment decision. I do have that gala I mentioned in D.C. two weeks from now, though.”
“Two weeks with you here. I like the sound of that.” Jase threw an arm over her shoulder. “Hopefully, my family doesn’t scare you away before then.”
“Does yours come with security clearances, Secret Service agents, and dinners with politicians and diplomats?”
He grinned. “Nope.”
She snorted. “Then I think I can handle them just fine.”
I desperately wanted to hold on to her the way my stepbrother was, but he was the one the media thought she was dating. It was fine for them to touch in public. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that luxury, but knowing I could have it in private was enough for me. At least for now.
“Speaking of family…” She hesitated for a second. “Do you guys want to come to D.C. and go with me to my event? Maybe meet my parents as my official boyfriends and not just friends of my brother’s?”
“You’re talking about a black-tie thing full of politicians and donors?” I asked, wanting clarification.
She shrugged. “Well, this one is for a charity I’ve worked with in the past, and my parents won’t be there. But yeah, it’ll definitely be black tie, and probably a little boring.”
“Way to sell it.” Jase laughed.
“I’ll be suffering right along with you. Plus, it’s a way for us to do something in public without drawing too much attention. Since the press thinks I’m dating you”—she looked at Jase, and that little twinge of jealousy twisted inside me a bit more—“we can just let them think I brought my boyfriend and his brother. What do you say?”
“Whatever our Princess wants, our Princess gets.” I smiled at her.
Dad’s SUV eased up to the curb and rolled to a stop. The driver’s door opened, and my dad climbed out. He wore a hooded jacket, worn jeans, and a beanie like he’d looked up “cool dad” vibes online.
Chase climbed out of the passenger side and pushed his sunglasses up on his head. They both took in the three of us standing together, then their gazes landed on Faye.
They knew we were both dating her from our text conversation the day before, but seeing her with us in person felt different. Our dads were the definition of laid-back and accepting, but I still had a tiny worry in the back of my mind that they might judge us.
