Chapter 15
Gia
Iam totally fine.
Holt and I are not in a real relationship. We’re especially not in one that would require us to meet each other’s families. That would be ridiculous.
So I’m fine. I’ve got my book, a yummy sandwich from Marcie’s, and my favorite latte. I’m surrounded by the warm scent of coffee and the noise of people coming and going from the Grind. I don’t need anything else.
“You okay, G?” Gwen sits across from me, setting a sandwich in front of her. She must’ve just started her break. “You look sad.”
“I’m totally fine.”
Gwen snorts. “That wasn’t even slightly convincing.”
I laugh. I come into the Daily Grind almost every day to work, and she’s started sitting with me while she takes her breaks.
We’ve gotten close over the past few weeks and learned we have a ton in common.
Neither one of us has ever quite fit in with our friend groups, and we both use sarcasm to cover our emotions.
I’ve gotten used to sharing things with her that I’d normally keep to myself, but this situation is different.
I already know I’m being dramatic. I don’t need anyone to confirm it.
Gwen would probably understand more than I’m giving her credit for.
I stick my tongue into my cheek, debating about telling her why my feelings are hurt. The words come out before I’ve fully decided. “Holt and the girls are having lunch with his family today.”
“And he didn’t invite you.”
I groan. “It’s so stupid because even if he did invite me, I’d have said no. I don’t meet guys’ families, Gwen. I’ve never even come close to wanting to. And whatever Holt and I are doing has an expiration date. I’m supposed to be leaving in a week. Meeting his family doesn’t factor into that.”
She’s quiet for a second before she seems to come to a decision. “Do you want to leave?”
I shrug. “I don’t have any logical reason to stay. I’m almost done with the stuff for Mayor Dillion. I honestly could’ve been done with it last week, but I’ve been delaying the final pieces. I also can’t afford to stay any longer. The Airbnb is great, but it’s expensive.”
“Okay, but setting aside everything with Holt, would you want to?”
The answer comes without thought. “Yes.” I’ve wanted to stay for weeks now, which is asinine. How the fuck could I want to stay in a town I’m barely familiar with?
“You could stay with me. I have plenty of space, and it would be kind of nice to have someone around again. Charlie used to live with me, but they moved into the apartment above the Grind once it was renovated.”
“Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. It’s totally cool if you want to say no. There won’t be any hard feelings, but I just thought I’d offer in case you truly wanted to stay.”
“Can I think about it?” I’ve had it in my head that I’d be going home next week. Changing my plans in a matter of seconds is too much to attempt right now, especially when I’m already emotional over Holt acting as any sane person would.
Gwen reaches across the table and pats my hand. “Of course. I can afford the place by myself, so it’s not a money thing. Although it would be amazing to be able to save a little more than I am. I’ve been lusting after these boots I can’t actually afford.”
I burst out laughing. “Preach, friend.”
We chat for a little while longer before her break ends. I’m contemplating the rest of my afternoon when Holt’s name pops up on my phone. I didn’t expect to hear from him all day. I figured he’d be with his family the whole time.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Hi. Okay, so here’s the deal. My mom knows we’ve been spending time together, and she just tore me a new one for not inviting you to lunch today.
I didn’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position of having to say no, so that’s why I didn’t in the first place.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be allowed to eat if you don’t come.
It’s cool if you don’t want to. I’m starving, but I’ll be fine.
I think. Dad made a huge pot of chili and his famous cherry pie, but I’ll be fine. ”
His rambling words make me grin. Holt has always been a confident man.
There has only been one occasion when he went into a nervous monologue, and that was because one of his mom’s friends asked if he’d be interested in dating multiple women now that he’s back on the market.
“Hmm. I don’t know. Seems to me like you really need me. What’s in it for me?”
Holt’s voice drops. “Anything you want.”
“How would you feel about being pegged?” There’s a long, pregnant pause, and I can practically hear the gears grinding in Holt’s head. I can’t hold my laughter back. “I’m teasing, Holt. You wouldn’t owe me anything. If you truly don’t mind me being there, I’ll come.”
“That was mean. And yes, I want you here. As long as you’re okay with my insane family getting all in your business.”
“I am a pro at deflection, just ask my mother. Will you promise this won’t make things weird between us?”
“It won’t, I swear.”
“Then all I need is an address.”
My stomach flutters as I get out of my car. Holt told me to come inside when I got here because they’d never be able to hear anyone knock over the noise.
He’s shared a little bit about his five adoptive brothers, and I’ve met two of them since I’ve been in town. Xander is the one who checked my rental car to ensure nothing was damaged or broken, and I’ve been in Gage’s bakery for breakfast several times.
I don’t think either one knew who I was to Holt—if they did, they didn’t say anything. I was grateful either way.
Taking a deep breath, I walk into the house. A wall of noise hits me the second I step over the threshold. It’s so reminiscent of my family gatherings back home that the nerves settle inside me. I follow the sound of chaos and curses and find a rowdy group of family crowded around the table.
“G!” Leah calls out first. A million eyes turn my direction as their voices trail off.
Thankfully, Holt stands, and Leah barrels toward me like a wrecking ball.
I squeeze her in a hug, happy to have a buffer between me and Holt’s family.
She grabs my hand and pulls me to the table. “Sit by me. Sit by me.”
“Everyone, this is Gia Miller,” Holt introduces me. “Gia, this is my family. The old man down there is my dad, Stanley, and the meddling woman on the other end is my mom, Muriel. The rest of these crazies are my brothers. I’ll help you with names as we go. It’s easier that way.”
“I don’t meddle,” Muriel protests at the same time as Stanley grumbles about showing Holt some manners.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Basil.” I wave, since Leah hasn’t let go of my hand.
Mr. Basil gives me a kind smile and waves me to sit down. “Oh, please, honey. We don’t stand on formality around here. Call us Stan and Muriel.”
Leah scoots her plate over to give me space to sit next to Holt. There’s already a bowl in front of me full of chili. It smells fantastic. “Stan, Holt said you have a famous cherry pie?”
“It’s nothing but a bit of dough and jam.” Stan blushes.
“Oh, please, Dad,” Gage scoffs. “It wins the blue ribbon at the county fair every year.”
“Except for that one year,” he grumbles.
“Because you had the stomach flu and were laid up in bed for three days,” Holt reminds him.
The conversation takes off from there, and I’m not sure how anyone can hear what another person is saying. There are at least three different topics being discussed, and every person at the table is participating in all three. It’s madness.
“Thank you for coming,” Holt says just to me. “I know I didn’t give you much of a choice, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad to be here too. It reminds me of my family dinners at home.”
“Loud and mildly invasive?”
I laugh. “Exactly. My parents have a group of friends they’ve known since they were kids. They’re basically my aunts and uncles, and they have regular get-togethers just like this.”
“Gia, what is it that you do for work?” Muriel asks me over the noise of her sons bickering over which teams will make it into the hockey playoffs.
“I’m a graphic designer.”
“A creative type. I like it. Holt has always had a very logical brain. Even when he was little, he would make sure all the boys were playing games by the rules. There was no room for interpretation.”
Holt makes a derisive noise. “Rules are there for a reason. They keep everyone honest.”
“Says the lawyer,” one of the twins says. I haven’t figured out which one is which yet. One has tattoos lining his tan arms, and the other is wearing dark-framed glasses, but nobody has used their names yet.
“He’s always been a stick-in-the-mud. You should drop him for someone more fun like me.” Gage winks.
Holt scoffs, his hand clenched in a fist.
“I don’t know. Holt can be very fun.” I smirk at him, making it clear I mean in bed.
He melts a little at my compliment, and I revel in the pink staining his cheeks.
“Hoo-wee, I can feel the heat all the way over here,” Stan teases.
“Do you need to turn the fan on, Pop Pop?” Lauren asks, her concern genuine.
Everyone laughs as Stan tells her he’ll be okay.
As the conversation turns away from Holt and me, a hand lands on my thigh.
Even through my leggings, the warmth of Holt’s palm seeps into my skin.
His thumb makes tantalizing sweeps across my leg.
I want to spread my legs and see how far he’ll slide his hand up my leg, but I’m not going to do that surrounded by his family.
We eat until we’re almost too full to have dessert, but the smell of Stan’s pie makes my mouth water.
“Holy shit,” I moan around my bite. “Sorry for cursing, but this is the best dessert I’ve ever had in my life.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. These yahoos don’t appreciate my cooking anymore. They eat like a bunch of hoodlums and then leave me with barely even a goodbye.”
“Hey!”
“That’s not true.”
“You’re so dramatic.”
Each Basil brother protests in some way, and Stan cracks up laughing. I soak up the familiar feeling of family. I’ve missed mine more than I can say, but this has been a perfect substitute.
“I helped too!” Leah tells me.
I raise eyebrows. “You made this delicious pie?”
She grins. “Sure did. I helped Pop Pop with the flour.”
“You did great, girlfriend. Are you going to be a baker like your uncle Gage?”
“I knew I’d seen you before!” he shouts.
Leah shakes her head seriously. “Nope. I’m gonna be like my daddy.”
“You want to be a lawyer?”
“Gramma said it’s a ’spectable career.”
A quick glance at Muriel is all I need to confirm she’s not the grandma Leah is talking about. She’s looking at Leah with a sad but soft expression. She catches my gaze and minutely shakes her head, telling me I was right and she’s not telling the girls what jobs are respectable.
It’s not my place to say anything, but there’s no way I could hold my tongue. No little girl should be forced into a box she doesn’t want to be in. “You want to know what I think?”
Leah nods.
I make sure I have Leah’s full attention before I say my next words.
“Anything you choose to do will be respected as long as you love doing it every day. If you want to be a lawyer like your Daddy, then go for it, but you could also be a clown or a computer programmer or even an ice cream flavor-tester.”
Leah’s eyes widen. “I could taste-test ice cream?”
I shrug. “Someone has to choose the new flavors for us to buy.”
Leah’s little arms are suddenly wrapped around my waist, and I melt into her hug.
When I glance around the table, everyone suddenly starts talking again.
I guess our conversation wasn’t as private as I thought.
I bite my bottom lip as I hesitantly look at Holt.
I could’ve just messed up big-time, but I still stand by what I said.
Instead of anger or annoyance, Holt’s bright blue eyes are soft. He leans closer to keep his voice low. “Thank you. That’s not the first time my in-laws have said something like that. It’ll mean more to the girls coming from you than from me.”
I shrug. “I know I’m probably the last person who should be giving advice, but I couldn’t let the comment go without saying something. I’m just not wired that way.”
Holt gives me a sexy grin. “I know. It’s one of the many things I like about you.”
“Many, huh? What else is on this list?”
“How about I show you later?”