“I haven’t heard anything, but I’ll definitely keep an eye out,” I tell him, seriously doubting Mabel and Alice’s story.
He bows his head as he walks backward to his truck. “I’d appreciate that.”
I watch as he pulls out of the driveway, making his way to the street. As he does, a car passes his and travels up the driveway.
“What did the asshole want?” Rina asks after she climbs out of her truck and up the porch.
My eyebrow raises at her question. I knew they didn’t get along, but damn, I didn’t realize it was that bad.
“He was asking about some new guy Mabel and Alice were worried about.”
“Nosey ass,” she mutters before walking around me and heading inside.
“Okay, then. Is everyone else on their way?” I ask, following her into the house.
“Who knows? I know Willow said she was on her way five minutes ago, but she was also writing. Lennox is in the wilderness. Who knows when he’ll show up.” She walks into the kitchen, opens the fridge, and pulls out the cheese plate I had set up in there.
This is my first official family dinner with the Huttons where I’m in charge of dinner. It feels like I’m legitimately part of the family now that I’m taking the lead on dinner.
“Help yourself.” I motion to the tray.
“This is fancy as hell, girl. Whose favorite meal are you cooking tonight?”
“Ledger’s, duh.” I laugh at how oblivious she is right now as she shoves cheese and crackers into her mouth.
“I’ll be honest. I don’t know the last time we made his favorite meal. We should probably be better about that,” she concedes.
“Honey, I’m home!” Ledger’s voice calls from the garage door.
“Rina’s here,” I yell back, warning him to keep it PG without saying as much.
“Hey, sis,” Ledger says as he walks in, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my cheek.
“So, what did you tell Ainsley your favorite meal was?” Rina snarks.
“Umm, I didn’t. I told her to make one of your favorites.” Poor thing looks confused as hell—it’s really adorable.
“You didn’t think you would leave me in charge of family dinner, and I wouldn’t make your favorite?”
“Gah, this is fun,” Rina says with her head propped up on her hands on the kitchen island.
Ledger side-eyes her and pulls me along with him to his bedroom. Slamming the door and pushing me up against it, he nuzzles my neck.
“What are you up to, baby?” he drawls, making me shiver.
“Treating you, for a change. When’s the last time someone cooked your favorite for family meal?”
He pulls back in thought, and I see the second he realizes the truth. It’s not that his siblings don’t care about him, it’s that he makes sure family dinners are still a thing. He takes the initiative and usually cooks everything too, so it’s become the way of things unintentionally.
But tonight, I wanted to treat him.
“Have I told you how much I love you today?”
“You have,” I say. “But do we ever stop at once?”
He sinks into me a little, wrapping his arms around my waist and holding me close. I love him like this, completely vulnerable and open to me.
“I love you, and I can’t wait to show you just how much when the cretins leave.”
