We accepted and headed over.
While we chatted, Sandra grabbed her laptop from the car and showed us all the New Year’s photos, emailing them around as we laughed and reminisced.
Then Cat suddenly blurted out loudly, “Okay, I need to know this—because it’s killing me. Are you guys finally together?”
Silence.
My heart pounded.Why did no one ask Caleb that question?Still, I smiled calmly and answered, “Yes, we are.”
Screams and woo-hoos erupted around us.
“Do you have any idea how long all of us—and I mean all of us—have been waiting for this to happen?” Cat exclaimed.
I hadn’t realized it was such a big deal.
Greg, who had joined us with his daughter, laughed. “You should’ve seen him at my housewarming party. His eyes followed her everywhere. I knew something had changed. He spoke differently. He acted differently.”
“All right, all right,” Caleb said, trying—and failing—to hide his embarrassment.
“He’s been in love with you for a long time,” Cat added. “My guess is it started when he complained about you to Dad. Two months later, he was singing your praises.”
Caleb and I locked eyes.
“Cat, cut it out,” Simon said with a grin. “We don’t want to scare her away. But honestly, we’re thrilled. Welcome to our crazy family—and good luck with Caleb. You’ll need it.”
Everyone laughed.
It had only been fifteen hours since Caleb and I had been together, but it already felt natural. The way everyone accepted me—especially his family, except for his mother—made it all feel like this was where I had always been meant to land. Emotion swelled in my chest.
For the first time in a long time, I realized I was truly happy.
Not cautiously hopeful.
Just happy.
36
NYAH
Simon and Sandra invited everyone over for dinner.
When the women eventually joined the men downstairs in the basement while they played pool, Caleb slid his hand around my waist. He leaned in close, his mouth near my ear, and whispered, “Do you think anyone would notice if we disappeared for fifteen minutes?”
A naughty, almost playful look crept into his eyes, and it caught me completely off guard. I had never seen this side of him before—this teasing confidence—and it sent a flutter straight through me. I smiled despite myself and whispered back, “I think they would?—”
“What are you two lovebirds whispering about?” Bruce asked, suddenly appearing behind us.
I felt my cheeks heat instantly. With everyone waiting for an answer, Caleb turned toward me, a grin tugging at his lips. “Why don’t you tell them, Nyah?”
I stared at him, incredulous.I can’t believe he just did that.Bewildered and unprepared, I blurted out, “Actually, I think it would be better if you told them.”Two can play that game, mister.
“You sure?” he asked, clearly enjoying himself.
Heads turned back to me, and I nodded, lifting my chin. “I’m positive.”
It felt like a tennis match, everyone watching our glances bounce back and forth.
“Well,” he began casually. “I was asking Nyah if she wanted to go for a dip in the pool, and she said she didn’t have a swimsuit.” He paused deliberately, took a sip of his beer, then added, “So I said her birthday suit would do.”
