I keep telling myself it’s nerves. Tonight is the first family dinner she’s attending on my arm. It might not seem like a big deal, but deep down, we both know it is.
Not only are we attending dinner together, but my brother, his wife, and my nephew are in Silo Bay for the summer.
“You okay?” I murmur as I cup her jaw, lifting her face so I can get a read on her.
“Yeah,” she forces out with a smile. “A lot of memories here.”
I nod, thumb brushing over her cheek. “You say the word, and we leave.”
She nibbles on her lip. “I’ll be fine.”
Pressing a kiss to her forehead, I push open the door.
Conversation greets us as voices overlap and laughter bounces off the walls. The smell of garlic from the pot roast fills the room as we step deeper into the house.
“Ready for this?”
Wren squeezes my hand. “With you by my side, I’m ready for anything.”
Grandma’s voice carries over the rest.
“They’re here!”
She steps forward, pulling Wren into a hug without hesitation. I watch as her shoulders relax a fraction, without realizing she was holding all the tension there.
“Goodness, Lydia,” Grandpa teases. “Let the girl breathe.”
I scan the room, all eyes on us, but I don’t miss Mark glancing at where my hand is attached to his daughter’s. His gaze lands on mine, and he gives me a stern nod. I can see the hesitancein his eyes, and I can’t say I blame him. I’m the reason why his daughter left ten years ago and never came home. We’ve talked about the past, me leaving, but I need to assure him this time with Wren is different. He’s seen the changes in my demeanor, so I hope he knows I’d step in front of a bullet before I’d let anything happen to Wren.
“Oh, stop it, Harold. I’m happy to have my family together under one roof.”
“One of these days, all of mine will be here too,” Wren’s Grams says across the room.
“Nate and Rachel couldn’t make it?” I ask, glancing around the space.
“Corbin wasn’t feeling well,” Mark supplies as I nod in understanding.
Nate and I weren’t super close growing up; it was always Wren and I stuck together like glue. That’s not to say we didn’t get along and don’t have as many memories together, but it was a different kind of friendship. Since being home, we’ve grabbed beers and had a few conversations. I promised I’d never hurt his sister again. And after he picked up a distraught Wren from my house, well, that resulted in another conversation. One that ended amicably with an understanding that we were sorting out the past and how I don’t plan on causing Wren any new pain.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart.” Grandma’s hands cup Wren’s jaws. “Not so rail thin as you were when you got home. And a little tired.”
“Well done, Son,” Grandpa praises, wiggling his eyebrows, and I flinch, meeting Mark’s eyes again. My sister chuckles behind her glass from where she’s sitting at the kitchen table.
“Jesus, Grandpa,” I groan as Mom and Grandma scold him.
A hand claps me on the shoulder, gripping a little too tightly. I turn my attention and find my younger brother smiling his goofy grin before pulling me in for a hug.
“It’s good to see you, big brother,” Crew greets before he pushes me away.
“Been too long.” I look around the room. “Where’s that wife of yours?”
“Changing Carter.”
“Holy shit,” Wren gasps, and she’s scolded by one of our grandmothers for swearing. “Look at you, Crew.”
Her eyes widen as she takes in my brother. He’s grown into quite the man since the last time she’s seen him, when he was maybe fourteen. At six-five and nearly two-hundred-fifty pounds of muscle, he shrinks the large kitchen.
“Look at me? Look at you,” Crew charms, as Wren tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
