Chapter 38 #2
She stops dead in her tracks, a soda can in her hand, blinking between us. “What were you two doing in the pantry?”
I freeze like a guilty teenager caught sneaking in after curfew. Worth, on the other hand, looks very unbothered. His mouth twitches like he’s fighting a grin.
“I—uh—we were just—” I stammer, searching for words that don’t exist.
Brianna’s face twists as realization dawns. “Oh my God.” She points at us with the drama of someone announcing a scandal. “Ew. Gross. Get a room. And preferably not in this house.”
She makes a gagging sound and spins on her heel, muttering something about needing therapy.
Worth loses it. He laughs, a deep, unrestrained sound that makes my face heat even more.
“It’s not funny!” I smack his arm, mortified.
“It’s hilarious. You should see your face.”
I huff and elbow him in the ribs before stalking out of the kitchen, doing everything in my power not to smile. “I hope you get sawdust in your eyes!” I shout and that finally wipes the grin off his face. Win.
Just then, the doorbell rings.
In minutes, the house transforms into a blur of teenage shrieks. Glitter-covered gift bags pile by the door, pop music spills from the speaker, and Brianna’s face lights up brighter than the candles that’ll be decorating her cake.
Tiana is in full event-planner mode. She somehow manages to keep the spa stations running smoothly while joking with the girls and snapping photos for her Instagram story.
Brianna giggles as one of the aestheticians paints her nails a shade of metallic blue.
My heart jumps to my throat when the doorbell rings again. When I open it, my mother nearly knocks the air from my lungs with a hug.
“Mya.” She cups my face, as if needing proof I’m real. Devon stands behind her, next to Jackson, carrying a brightly wrapped gift bag, his expression soft.
“You made it,” I say, laughing shakily.
“You think we’d miss meeting our son–in–law and the girl who stole your heart?” Mom scoffs.
Worth appears beside me like he’s been summoned, offering a warm but cautious smile.
“Mr. and Mrs. Jones,” he says, extending a hand to my mother first. “Thank you for coming.” he places a kiss on her knuckles and she blushes.
“Devon,” Worth says, greeting my stepdad with a brief nod before turning to my little brother, giving him a pat on the back. “Jackson. I’ve heard a lot about that mean left throw of yours. You’ll have to show me your ways one day.”
My mom exchanges a smile with Devon before her eyes drift past us, softening when they land on Brianna across the room.
“That must be the birthday girl.”
Brianna joins us, smiling brightly with glitter on her face. “Hi.”
My mom melts instantly. “Happy birthday, Sunshine.”
After the last introductions are made, we all gather to eat from the food table Tiana managed to have catered from Willow’s. Then comes the cake: pink frosting, gold candles, and Brianna’s name piped across the top.
Worth stays mostly out of the way during the festivities, which I understand. This many teenagers in one room could make anyone want to hide, but I catch glimpses of him now and then, watching from the hallway with that smile he reserves only for Brianna.
My parents linger near the kitchen, chatting quietly with Worth. I hover around the entrance, pretending I’m not listening.
“Thank you for inviting us,” my stepdad says. “We wanted to see things for ourselves.”
My mother’s brows soften as she studies him. “We adore our daughter. We just want to make sure she’s in good hands.”
Worth nods. “I can assure you that I’d do anything to keep your daughter happy. I don’t take that lightly. Mya means a lot to us.”
Devon’s gaze drifts past my husband toward the noise of the party. “And your daughter?”
Worth glances that way, warmth bleeding into his expression. “Brianna is everything to me. And she loves Mya. This family may look unconventional from the outside, but it’s real.”
My mother finally exhales. “Okay, good. Then we’re happy to be here.”
Worth smiles, looking relieved. “Let me show you around. And please, make yourselves at home.”
Something eases in me as I watch the interaction.
Hours later, the party begins to wind down, and once the last of the girls are gone, my parents and Tiana say their goodbyes, promising to invite us to dinner soon.
Brianna and I begin to tidy the kitchen when Worth appears in the doorway, looking exhausted but content. “Hey, birthday girl. Got a minute?”
Brianna perks up immediately. “Yeah!”
“Come with me. There’s something I want to show you.”
Curiosity flares in her eyes, and she bounces to her feet. Worth gives me a smile and I follow them down the hall, stopping in front of the double doors to his workshop. When he pushes the doors open, Brianna gasps.
Inside, the faint scent of wood and varnish fills the air. The space glows under the overhead lights and, right in the center, stands a custom-built sketching desk in polished oak, with adjustable angles, and drawers lined neatly with pencils and brushes.
“For me?” Bri whispers, her hands flying to her mouth.
Worth’s smile is wide. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
She rushes forward, running her hands over the smooth surface, inspecting every detail like it’s made of gold. “Dad, it’s perfect!”
Something soft blooms in my chest. This isn’t just a gift. It’s hours of effort and thought poured into something just for his daughter.
He ruffles her hair gently. “You deserved a proper place to draw. No more using the kitchen table.”
She spins around and hugs him tight. “Thank you, Dad. I love it.”
Worth’s arms circle her, and I swear I catch a glimmer in his eyes before he blinks it away.
I can’t help my smile. Even though sadness fills me. Because in this moment, I realize I truly love being a part of this family. And I don’t want to let them go.