Willow
willow
I wrung my hands together as we made our way up the walkway to Ronan’s childhood home. There was a massive oval window in the white front door, golden light seeping from it. Shadows danced across the glass, and I dug my feet into the concrete, forcing us to stop.
“How many people are in there?” I asked, my voice shaky and quiet. I hadn’t thought this through. When I’d agreed to meet his mom, I’d expected just her. Maybe Trinity, too. But there were more than just two people in that house, and I was starting to freak out.
Okay, actually, I’d started freaking out about an hour ago when I was trying to find the perfect outfit to wear. Ronan was in jeans and a black T-shirt, looking stupidly handsome as always, and I settled on a blue baby doll dress with knee-high cowboy boots. Which I was now regretting because I’d never worn these boots before, and I already felt blisters forming.
“I think it’s just Trin, Brynne, and Mom,” he said. My bottom lip slid between my teeth. “It’ll be alright, shortcake. My mom is gonna love you.” He gently tugged my lip out and smoothed his thumb over the teeth marks.
“And you’re sure that’s all the stuff she likes from the bakery?” I asked, gesturing to the basket he held, and he nodded. Gracie and I spent all afternoon baking everything for her, making sure it was perfect.
“I’m positive.” He laced our fingers together and gently squeezed. “Ready?”
I took a deep breath, my lungs aching with it. No, I wasn’t ready, but I had to be. I nodded and we made our way to the door. Ronan pushed it open, and the warmth of the house hit me first, followed by the savory scent of something cooking.
The ceilings were high, photos lined the white walls, and a mirror sat above a small bench. Shoes sat beside it in a messy pile, likely from Trinity, and her purse was on top of them, like she’d walked in and just dropped it.
It felt safe and warm. Like stepping into a home , not just a house. I moved closer to the photos and grinned when I saw one of Ronan in high school. He was no older than fifteen, kneeling on the football field with his helmet clutched under his arm. He was so gangly and awkward, but there was that same softness in his eye I’d come to know and— love.
My heart surged into my throat as those four letters snaked their way into my mind and took root. Roughly, I cleared my too-dry throat and forced them away.
“I didn’t know you played football,” I rasped, trying to cling to anything other than that word, and he snorted.
“I warmed the bench,” he muttered, stepping behind me. He rested his hand on my hip and stroked his thumb back and forth. “This is my dad.” He pointed to a photo of a much younger version of himself standing beside a middle-aged man. They looked exactly the same, like his father had copy and pasted himself. But then I looked at the rest of the photos of him and his brothers and realized that all the Caldwell boys looked identical to their father.
“What was he like?” I asked. Voices and laughter carried to us, but Ronan wasn’t in any hurry. He just scanned the photos with a soft smile on his face.
“Loud,” he laughed. “He could talk to a brick wall and become best friends with it. He was hilarious, too. Could make anyone laugh at the most inappropriate times.” He chuckled to himself, and I smiled as I turned to look up at him. “At my grandma’s funeral, he got up to speak. My mom was begging him to just sit down, but of course he didn’t. Instead, he got up there, and in front of a room of crying people, he made them all forget they were sad. I wish I was like that—he was a really good man.”
I rested my hand on Ronan’s chest. “ You’re a good man, Ro. He’d be proud of you.”
Ronan’s eyes met mine, and his throat bobbed as he swallowed thickly. “Thanks, baby.” His chest rose as he took a deep breath. “I think everyone is in the kitchen.”
It was enough of an invitation, and I nodded. We walked deeper into the house, and I took it all in. It was decorated in the usual coastal vibe I’d found almost everyone had in their homes here. Multi-colored pastel rugs lined the light hardwood floors as we walked down the hallway. It opened into a large living room with a cream-colored leather sectional, with a massive seafoam green rug beneath. A TV with a muted football game playing hung above the fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows sat on either side of it, covered in willowy white curtains.
Someone screamed from deeper in the house, and I jolted at the sound. Ronan tried to keep his pace slow and at my side, but I could feel the excitement rippling off him. He was excited to see his family; he wasn’t dreading it.
What was that like?
Not everyone had family like I did—they didn’t make them miserable or dread every visit with them. Ronan seemed to genuinely love his family. He was happy around them—that much was obvious from the amount of time he spent with his little sister.
My hand tightened around his as we walked through the archway into the kitchen. Trinity and Brynne sat at the island on barstools. A man I faintly recognized as one of Ronan’s brothers stood in the corner with a drink in his hand, and an older woman with graying blonde hair pulled a roasted chicken from the oven.
“!” Trinity shouted, leaping off the stool and racing for me. I was too stunned to move, so I just stood there as she threw her arms around me. “How are you doing? How’s your new kitty? Did you bring him?”
“He’s still at the vet,” Ronan grumbled. “I told you that.” He turned his attention to his brother, grinning. “What are you doing here?”
“Trent lent me his private jet for the weekend,” he said, grinning. He shoved off the counter and made his way across the kitchen.
“You’re such a tool,” Ronan laughed. They did one of those bro-hugs that only men did before he turned toward me.
“I’m Theo,” he purred, holding his hand out. A charming smile curved his lips, and Ronan rolled his eyes.
“Don’t hit on my girl.”
Warmth spread through me at the words— my girl . I tried to fight the smile pulling at my lips as I pressed closer to Ronan.
Theo ignored his brother as he grinned down at me. He looked like Ronan but was taller and with more lean muscle. His hair was lighter, somewhere between Trinity’s bright blonde and Ronan’s dark brown. A slight layer of stubble coated his square jaw, and his eyes were the brightest blue I’d ever seen. He was dressed casually in jeans and a button-down, but his clothes looked expensive.
“.” I smiled, my palm sliding against his.
“I know. We’ve met before.” I blinked at the words, my mind racing. And then the memories all came rushing back.
“Oh! I remember,” I laughed. “You were dragging Ronan outside, yelling at him.”
“He’d been holed up in his house for days,” he explained. “And Mom called me because she was worried?—”
“Alright,” Ronan grumbled, but Theo ignored him.
“She was worried, so she called his big brother to come kick some sense in to him,” he teased, pinching Ronan’s cheek. “I dragged his ass to The Taphouse, but not before his feisty little neighbor nearly killed me.”
“Okay, in my defense, I thought you were kidnapping him,” I said, and he laughed. “I don’t know what I could’ve really done, but?—”
“It was cute to see you stick up for the big guy.” Theo ruffled his brother’s hair, and Ronan’s jaw tensed.
I’d stormed out of my house when I heard shouting, thinking these two men were about to start a brawl in the yard. I told Theo to leave Ronan alone, but when he started flirting with me, assuring me that he was his brother, I backed off. It wasn’t my place to intervene in family affairs.
It had been a quick interaction years ago, and I’d totally forgotten about it until right now.
Theo’s thumb stroked along my hand, and Ronan roughly cleared his throat. He threw his arm around my shoulders, and yanked me closer to him, his hold possessive.
“That’s enough,” he grumbled. “Leave her alone.”
“I’m just being friendly,” Theo said, winking at me.
“Ignore him.” Brynne gave me a quick hug before shooting Theo a look that I interpreted as, stop it . Her eyes raked over me, and heat rushed into my cheeks from being the center of attention. “You look gorgeous.”
“Doesn’t she?” Ronan’s arm tightened, and I peered up at him. We stared at each other, and just like it always did, everything melted away. His eyes held me captive, made me feel safe and grounded.
But then, Theo groaned, and I blinked.
“Oh god. Don’t tell me you’re one of those mushy couples.” Theo scrunched his nose, and I rolled my eyes.
“They so are,” Trinity laughed. “It’s cute.”
Ronan grumbled something under his breath, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Everything felt so easy . It felt natural.
But then my gaze lifted and met his mother’s across the room. The older woman smiled at us, and I tried to keep my own smile from slipping away as nerves filled my body. No matter how hard I tried to force them away, they weren’t going anywhere. They’d taken root, and my stomach twisted painfully.
“What am I?” she teased, pulling Ronan’s attention. “Chopped liver?”
“Hey, Mom.” He laughed, directing us toward her. Her hair was loose around her face, and she wore an oversized white shirt with dark blue jeans—barefoot and bare-faced. Her style reminded me of a taller, blonde Ina Garten. She was gorgeous, and when I sneakily glanced toward Trinity, I realized she was a carbon-copy of her mother.
Ronan gathered his mother in a tight hug, and her eyes squeezed shut as if she were putting all of her love into that hug. When she pulled away, she rested her hands on his face and searched his eyes. His shoulders dropped a fraction before he turned toward me, resting his hand on the small of my back.
Gently, he tugged me toward her. My heart was in my throat as her eyes met mine—dark brown instead of blue—and smiled. It was full of warmth and love, and everything that should be in a mother’s smile.
“I hope you like to eat,” she said, the words catching me off guard. A laugh escaped me as I nodded.
“I love food,” I blurted.
I cringed as the words fell out—why was I so awkward?
There was a beat of silence, and I felt like crawling into a hole and hiding for the rest of the night. But then Trinity shoved her fist into the air and cried, “Hell yeah!”
It broke some of the tension, making everyone laugh again, but my nerves had already coiled tighter. I tried to catch my breath, tried to pull on my customer service mask and pretend that I was just talking to a customer, but it wouldn’t come.
Because she wasn’t a customer, she was my boyfriend’s mom. And if she hated me…if she hated me, he’d leave.
So I had to be perfect.
Thankfully, Theo made his way back to his corner, and the girls went back to their stools, seeming to ignore us as we made our awkward introductions. I knew I needed to shake her hand, or hug her, or something , but my mind was working overtime. I didn’t know what the right thing to do was. What if she wasn’t a hugger, and I went in for one? Or what if she was, and I shook her hand instead?
I was overthinking it, I knew that, but I couldn’t stop. What if I messed everything up with his mom right now, and Ronan decided that if I couldn’t get along with his family, I wasn’t the one for him?
“I’m Demi,” she said, breaking the silence. I blinked—I should’ve asked her name first. I knew how to act around people; I did it all day every day. But I couldn’t think straight.
“,” I breathed. She smiled gently as she searched my face, as if she were scrutinizing every inch of me.
Her energy was similar to her sons—warm and inviting. But there was something closed off about her, too. Almost protective, like she was gauging whether I was the right fit for her son or not.
Which I didn’t fault her for. I understood it, and I respected it.
But in that moment, I had no idea what to do or say.
Thankfully, Ronan drew her attention to him, talking about the festival at the end of the summer. My gaze flitted around the overstimulating kitchen and found Theo’s. He lifted his drink before gesturing to one sitting on the counter beside him. I hesitated, unsure if I should leave Ronan’s side or not, but they seemed like they were in deep conversation and wouldn’t miss me.
I hurried to Theo’s side and wrapped my hand around the cool glass, letting it ground me.
“How you doing, kid?” he asked, and I blinked at him.
“Kid?” I repeated, quirking my brow, and he laughed. “You don’t look much older than me.”
“I’m older than I look. But you,” he gestured to me with his chin, “look like you’re ready to bolt.”
I turned my attention back to Ronan, a smile teasing my lips as his mother tugged on his grown-out hair, gently scolding him about a haircut.
“I don’t want to bolt,” I muttered, and he snorted another laugh. “I don’t .”
“Mom’s a good woman, but she’s protective of us.” His eyes traveled over his siblings, lingering a moment longer on Trinity. “We’ve been through…a lot.”
“Ronan told me about some of it,” I said softly. Theo’s eyebrows rose as he looked at me.
“Did he?”
Was I not supposed to tell anyone that? But before I could backtrack, Theo brought his drink to his lips.
“My brother is…he’s a square,” he said, and I choked on a laugh. “But he’s the best man I’ve ever known. Better than Adam, better than my dad, certainly better than me. But he’s different, can be set in his ways or hard to work with. Sometimes he gets in his head and can’t see anything around him.”
“I know,” I murmured, staring at the glass in my hand. I still hadn’t taken a sip yet. “I know about his OCD?—”
“So, he’s told you everything, huh?” He laughed and I shrugged. “All I’m saying is, be patient with him.”
I stared at Ronan, my heart swelling. “I will be,” I whispered. “He’s patient with me, too.” I felt Theo’s eyes on the side of my head, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.
“He really likes you, you know,” he said so softly, I almost didn’t hear him. “He’s been crushing on you for years.” My head whipped around, and my mouth fell open.
“No way.”
He chuckled, taking another sip. “Yep. I think it’s taken him this long to finally work up the courage to ask you out,” he said. I blinked.
“ No. Way .”
He laughed again, but my mind was reeling. Ronan had liked me all this time? For all these years?
“Shortcake,” Ronan called, and I reluctantly pulled my gaze from his brother’s mocking face. “Come here. I want to show Mom everything you brought her.” He set the basket on the counter and pulled the cloth off the top.
My hands shook as I set the glass back down, abandoning the untouched drink. All I could think about, all I could focus on, was the fact that Ronan liked me long before this fake relationship ever started. And I liked him.
How different could our lives had been if we’d started off on the right foot? If I’d tried harder to be his friend—if he’d asked me out years ago? Maybe we could’ve been together all this time. Maybe we could?—
“ has been working on these tarts for…what? A couple weeks now, right?” Ronan said, interrupting my thoughts. I blinked as he rested his hand on my back again, and I leaned into his touch, needing to feel him close.
It didn't matter how long we could’ve been together. We were together now.
“Um, actually, a bit longer,” I muttered. “But I think I’ve perfected them in the last few weeks—with your help, of course.” He rolled his eyes.
“I didn’t do anything but eat them,” he said, and I grinned at him.
“That’s the most important part.”
“I bet he’s great at eating,” Brynne said, her voice carrying to every corner of the kitchen.
“Gross!” Trinity cried. “That’s my brother!” She playfully shoved her best friend as she pretended to gag. “If you can’t behave yourself, I’m gonna kick you out.”
“No, please, don’t behave yourself,” Theo piped up, sliding onto the stool beside her. “You know, I’ve been told I’m great at eating, too. I could show you sometime.”
“Thanks, but I’d rather let Trinity go down on me than ever let you near my?—”
“Oh my god,” Trinity groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “I do not eat bearded clams.”
“It’s not bearded, baby,” Brynne said, grinning.
Theo leaned closer, resting his shoulder against hers. “It’s not? I need proof.”
“Fuck off,” she laughed, playfully shoving him.
His head fell back on his shoulders as he laughed with her, but I couldn’t help but notice the way Brynne’s eyes lingered on him for a moment too long before she turned back to Trinity. They put their heads together as they scrolled on her phone, laughing and whispering about something, but every so often, her gaze flicked back to him.
“Oh, how did you know I love Gracie’s Mexican Wedding Cookies?” Demi said, snatching one up. “These are the best cookies I’ve ever eaten in my life.”
“They’re my favorite cookies, too!” I jolted a step forward. “She won’t share the recipe with me, though. If we run out, she has to be the one to make them.”
“She always was secretive about her recipes,” she laughed. Something akin to sadness flitted over her face, but it was there and gone so quickly, I thought I imagined it. “Anyway. Are you hungry? I made a feast.”
“Everything looks great, Mom,” Ronan said. “You know, is an amazing cook, too. She’s been cooking dinner the last few nights—” I jabbed my elbow into his ribs, and he grunted out a breath. “What? You have been.”
Demi didn’t seem to mind her son’s praise and gestured toward the food lining the counter. “Boys, start taking the food to the table. Girls, you know the drill. Plates and silverware. , honey, can you grab the pitcher of water from the fridge?”
Everyone jumped to follow orders, and in just a few minutes, we were sitting at the long table in the dining room. A chandelier hung overhead, the lighting low and warm. Demi sat at the head of the table, Theo on one side, and Ronan on the other. Trinity was sandwiched between Brynne and Theo, but she didn’t seem to mind. All she could focus on was Brynne’s phone.
“So, , Ronan said your family is coming to visit this weekend,” Demi said, scooping a mound of mashed potatoes onto her plate. Ronan roughly cleared his throat as he sliced into the roasted chicken before putting some on my plate.
“Yes.” I smoothed my hands over the cloth napkin in my lap. “They’re coming to celebrate my birthday.”
“Hell yeah,” Theo said. “What are you gonna do? Please tell me you’re gonna do something more fun than go to The Taphouse. How old are you turning?”
I let out a small laugh. “Twenty-seven,” I said, and he whistled.
“Robbing the cradle a bit there, huh, bro?” He laughed as Ronan glared at him.
“How old was the last girl you were with?” Ronan countered. “Younger than Trin?”
“She was…” Theo laughed again. “Yeah. She was twenty.”
“God, you are such a pig .” Brynne scoffed. Trinity nodded her agreement, but was too busy scrolling to chime in.
“Pardon my son.” Demi sighed, resting her hand on Theo’s shoulder. He batted his lashes at her, but she ignored him and kept her attention solely on me. “Are you excited to have them in town?”
I glanced at Ronan, and he took a deep breath. His hand found mine under the table and squeezed. “Mom…”
“It’ll be their first time here,” I said, leaving it at that. She tilted her head to the side, like she was expecting more.
“What did you get her?” Theo interrupted, and Ronan blinked. “Don’t tell me you haven’t gotten her a gift yet. Rookie move, brother! What did you ask for, ?”
Heat settled in my cheeks. “Nothing,” I admitted.
“Oh, no, that won’t do.” Demi shook her finger at her son. “Tell him what you want, and he’ll get it for you. Won’t you?”
“Yeah,” Ronan rasped. “Of course.” His eyes were wide, and the pulse in his neck thrummed. Poor guy.
“I don’t really need anything?—”
“It’s not about needing anything,” Theo said. “It’s about what you want. Your birthday is a day to celebrate you! Take advantage of it.” I chewed on my lip. Ronan’s gaze bore into the side of my head.
“I don’t know,” I breathed. “Maybe some seeds? I’ve had my eye on some Juliet Rose seeds.”
“Seeds?” Theo asked, staring at me like I was an alien.
“You garden?” Demi asked, and I nodded. She just hummed, her gaze turning to Ronan. He squirmed under his mother’s scrutiny. I almost told him to not worry about it, but Brynne chimed in.
“My brother is finally back from Europe. I think I’m gonna go to New York to stay him for the rest of the summer.”
“Oh, is he? Tell him he needs to come see me again soon.” Demi turned her attention to Brynne.
“You’ll be in my city.” Theo grinned, and Brynne rolled her eyes. “We can hang out.”
“I’m good,” she said, laughing. They continued chatting, and Ronan leaned toward me, moving his lips to my ear.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he murmured. “I forgot to tell her that was an off-limits subject.” I shook my head dismissively.
“It’s alright.” I patted his thigh and gestured to the food. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
As the night wore on, I became more and more comfortable. Laughter filled the room, and it was unlike any family dinner I’d ever been to.
Demi was incredible, and Theo was hilarious. Everyone played off each other in that way only loving families could, but somehow Brynne fit in perfectly. I sat on the outside, but didn’t feel like an outsider.
“Okay, wait.” I laughed, resting my hand on Ronan’s arm. “You jumped off the roof?—”
“Onto the trampoline, yeah,” he said, rolling his eyes. “In my defense, Theo said?—”
“That’s what always got you in trouble,” Demi interrupted, waving her finger at him. “Theo would tell you to do something because he didn’t want to get in trouble. So you’d do it, inevitably get in trouble, then blame poor Adam.”
“I never blamed poor Adam .” Ronan rolled his eyes. “Adam could get away with murder. He never got in trouble.”
“Because he never did anything to get in trouble,” she retorted.
“That’s not true,” Trinity said. “He always picked on me.”
“Okay, but what did you do first?”
“Me?” Trinity gasped, pressing her hand against her chest. “Nothing. I was always, and have always been, a perfect angel.” Everyone groaned their disagreement. “What?”
“Babe, you are the definition of trouble.” Brynne laughed. Her phone vibrated on the table, and Trinity snatched it up. “Hey!”
“I want to answer this time,” she muttered.
“What are you two doing?” Theo asked, leaning to look over Trinity’s shoulder. “Oh my god. Is that Pulse?”
“Of course you recognize it,” Trinity mumbled.
“Why the hell are you on that?” Theo reached for it, but Brynne snatched the phone out of Trinity’s hand.
“It’s mine, not hers,” she hissed.
Theo just stared at her, then dropped his hand back to the table. “I can’t believe you’re on that,” he mumbled.
“Leave them alone,” Demi gently scolded.
“Mom, it’s a hookup app.” He threw an accusing hand toward his sister. “Trinity should not be on it.”
“I’m not on it.” She stuck her tongue out at him. “ Brynne is on it. I’m just finding matches for her.”
“Pulse was the worst,” I blurted, and everyone turned toward me. I wanted to melt into my chair and disappear.
“You were on Pulse?” Ronan asked, though he didn’t sound upset.
“Gracie convinced me,” I rushed to explain. “I was only on it for a few days, but all the guys were?—”
“Weirdos,” Brynne and Trinity said together.
“Yeah. Weirdos.”
“I was on it for a short time,” Ronan admitted quietly, and I blinked at him.
“See? Weirdos.” Trinity waved her hand at him, and he rolled his eyes. “Anyway…” She turned her attention to her mom. “It isn’t a hookup app, like your son would lead you to believe. It’s a dating app?—”
“Brynne doesn’t need an app to find someone,” Theo grumbled. “Neither of you do.”
“How else are we supposed to meet someone?” Brynne shot back.
“In person. Online dating is dangerous. You don’t know who you’re really talking to on the other end,” he said, and Demi nodded.
“That’s true.” She pointed at the girls. “I saw this documentary where the girl was—what’s that word? Fished?”
“Catfished,” I said, and she nodded.
“Thank you, honey. She was catfished.”
“That happens all the time,” Trinity muttered, wiggling her fingers. “You have to know how to vet the person you’re talking to.”
“How?” Demi asked curiously.
“Well, you ask for more selfies,” Trinity said, tapping her finger against her chin. “Maybe FaceTime before you meet in person. At least talk on the phone.” She flashed her mother a mischievous grin. “Why, Mom? Are you looking to get back on the market?”
“Oh, goodness no.” She laughed, shaking her head.
“It’s getting late,” Ronan chimed in. Theo glanced at his watch and sighed.
“I forget you’re a grandpa and turn in early,” he said, and Trinity snorted.
“He doesn’t sleep. So he can’t exactly turn in early .”
“I think he just wants to take his girl home.” Brynne flashed me a knowing grin, and my face heated.
“Oh my god.” He tipped his head back, his eyes fluttering shut. On my thigh, he tapped his fingers over and over, and I slid my hand over his, stopping him. “Some of us have to work tomorrow.” He sent a pointed look to Trinity. “And some of us can’t be late again .”
“Work, work, work,” she muttered, using her hand to mime a mouth talking. “Do you do anything else with your life?”
He started tapping again, and I slipped my bottom lip between my teeth, a smile forming. “Oh, stop tormenting him.” Demi laughed, pressing her hand into his shoulder.
After our goodbyes, we made our way through the house, Demi following us to the front door. She leaned against it as we stepped onto the porch. The sun had long since set, and the wind was cool. It pricked my skin, and Ronan wrapped his arm around me, rubbing his hand over my chilled arm.
“Be careful driving home,” Demi said, resting her head against the door.
“We will, Mom.” We turned to leave, but her voice made us stop.
“You’re good together,” she murmured. I glanced over my shoulder at her, but her eyes were solely on her son. “I like seeing you so happy.” Then, slowly, they shifted to me. “And I like knowing my boy has someone like you by his side.” Emotion clogged my throat until I couldn’t breathe, until I couldn’t swallow or think or move. All I could focus on was the words —the way she’d said them. The warmth in her voice and in her eyes. “Take care of each other.”
With that, we left. We walked down the short sidewalk to Ronan’s truck. He opened my door but didn’t immediately shut it. Instead, he just stared at me. There was so much weight in his stare, so many unsaid words.
He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. Heat soared through my veins, and I gripped my dress in my shaky fists. His tongue slid against the seam of my lips, always asking for permission, and I opened for him.
The kiss was hot and long, and he pressed me into the seat. There was no air left in my lungs when he pulled away and rested his forehead against mine.
“Thank you,” he rasped. “For coming tonight.”
“Thank you for bringing me.” He kissed me again, softer and quicker. But before he shut the door, he cupped my cheek. His eyes searched mine, and I felt my heart do a somersault in my chest.
“I don’t know what I did to get so fucking lucky.”