"I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"It'll just take some time getting used to the differences.Your family is lovely."
"It's the family that you should have had.Instead, you have parents that disparage your decisions and make you doubt yourself."
I frowned.Did they make me question myself?"Yeah, but I'm doing my own thing now.I won't let them steer my life anymore."
Maverick sighed."You don't deserve their interference, only their support.And if they can't offer that, then they shouldn't be in your life."
I bristled at his assumption that I should cut them out."I'm not going to ghost my parents."
"I'm not saying you should.But you should consider the effect they have on your emotions when they visit.Is it worth being around them, if that's how they make you feel?"
My jaw tightened."I don't want to talk about my parents right now."
He reached over and interlaced his fingers with mine."I shouldn't have brought it up."
I nodded.
"You want to go to my place or yours?"
"Yours."It was bigger and more comfortable.I could get some space from my business and, hopefully, my thoughts.
I didn't want to feel jealous of his family.I wanted to be happy."You're excited for your brother and Angela?"
"Yeah, they're great together.And she already has a child.I'm sure they wanted to have more quickly to keep them close in age.It sounds like they're going to get married soon too.That'll make my mom happy.A wedding and another grand baby."
"Your mom thinks of Ayla as a grandchild?"
He nodded."She considers Ayla to be one of us.That's how it is; we adopt everyone."
That's what made me nervous.I'd get close to his family, then would have to stay away from them if we broke up.
I tried not to think about the what-ifs.We were together now, and everything was great.
"You survived dinner with my family."
"It wasn't that bad.I promise."
"There're a lot of us, and it sounds like we're going to be multiplying soon.Everyone will be getting married and having kids.The cousins will grow up together," he said as if he was thinking this as he went.
"Is that what you want?Marriage and kids?"
He kept his gaze on the road in front of us."I've never thought that was in the cards for me.So I don't know."
"But you're happy for Hudson and Angela?"
"I know how much Ayla wants a brother or sister, and they want a child together.I'm sure they're excited it happened so quickly."
He parked in his driveway, and we got out.He unlocked the door, and I preceded him inside.I toed off my shoes and hung up my jacket.This place felt more comfortable every day.
He pulled me against him."But tonight, I want to forget about our families and focus on us."
I smiled, my hands on his chest."I want that too."
He kissed me, and I quickly forgot about my jealousy and worry.When we were together, just the two of us, everything was good.I wasn't worried about the what-ifs or the potential downfalls.I needed this.His mouth on mine, his hands on my body.
He lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist.He carried me to his bedroom and lowered me to the comforter.He took his time, kissing me, then removing our clothes, piece by piece.
