Chapter 29
29
Ryan
“Are you almost ready to go?” I called out, pacing around Court’s living room.
It had been a couple of weeks since I’d met his family, and tonight was his turn to meet mine. I would’ve preferred for us to do this sooner, but it hadn’t been possible. My dad and I had both been swamped at work, trying to catch up from the time we’d missed because of the investigation.
Thankfully, most of that was finally behind us. With both Joseph Hughes and Donnie Pierce dead, and the police concluding that Court fired his weapon to protect me, there wasn’t much left to investigate. Morgan had been right about Donnie’s mom too. She skipped town the moment the case was closed.
“I thought you said we didn’t need to be there until seven. We still have a few minutes.” Court stepped out of the bedroom as he finished buttoning his shirt. “Why are you so anxious?”
I leaned against the back of the couch, taking a moment to admire how good he looked in a long-sleeve black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pair of dark gray slacks. “I just ...” There was something I needed him to know, but I wasn’t sure how to broach the subject.
“What?” he prodded when I didn’t continue.
“I should probably tell you something before we leave.”
His brows furrowed. “Okay.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “It really isn’t a big deal—at least, I don’t think it will be—but you might think otherwise.”
“Just spit it out. You’re starting to make me nervous.”
“Before my dad and Declan got together, Declan and I … We, uh, had a one-night stand.”
Court’s eyebrows shot up. “Seriously?”
“It was a couple of years ago,” I explained quickly. “He and my dad hadn’t even met yet, and it only happened once.”
Court blinked, his surprise slowly giving way to something that looked like a cross between amusement and concern. “I’m assuming your dad knows about this?”
“Yeah, he knows,” I exhaled, feeling the knot in my stomach loosen slightly. “It’s not a secret, but it’s also not something we talk about. Except Morgan—she loves to make jokes about it when she’s bored.”
Shaking his head, he huffed out a laugh. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“I don’t think it’ll come up tonight, but I wanted to be honest. I felt you deserved to know, especially after I pushed for you to tell me about Dalton. I didn’t want you to feel blindsided if Morgan mentions it.”
Court stepped closer, resting his hands on my shoulders. “Thanks for telling me. It’s a little unexpected, but I get it. Things happen.” His lips lifted into a smirk. “Although now I’m curious about your dad and Declan. Are you into older guys, or is your dad into younger ones?”
I barked out a laugh. “They have a twenty-five-year age gap, but they make it work. You’ll see tonight. Declan makes him ridiculously happy, and truthfully, that’s all that matters to me.”
“Whatever works for them.” Court kissed my forehead. “Now, let’s go so I can charm your family. Although, we know Morgan’s already a fan.” He winked.
Somewhere between Court’s apartment and my dad’s building, my boyfriend lost his confidence. His leg was bouncing as we turned into the underground parking garage.
I squeezed his thigh. “Relax. It’s just a family dinner, not a courtroom cross-examination.”
His brow lifted. “That’s comforting, considering the last time I saw your dad, he was cross-examining me.”
It turned out a while back, Court had testified for the prosecution in a case my father worked on. So, while this wasn’t their first official meeting, it was my first time introducing him as my boyfriend.
“I’m sure he doesn’t hold that against you.” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
“Maybe, but he might hold lying to you against me.”
I pulled into a parking space, put my car in park, and then turned his face to look at me. “He doesn’t. All he cares about is that I’m happy, and he knows you’re the reason that I am.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” he muttered, but he followed me to the elevator without hesitation.
As we walked into my dad’s condo, I heard voices from the kitchen.
“About time you guys got here.” Morgan was already there, perched on a barstool with a sparkling water in hand. Dad was sitting next to her, his laptop open on the island, while Declan was arranging platters of food. Morgan beamed at Court, hopping down to pull him into a quick hug. “Glad Ryan finally got you to a family dinner.”
After Morgan told me she was pregnant, she shared the news with our father. Just like I suspected, he’d been nothing but supportive, and in the weeks since, we had all seen a drastic change in her demeanor. She still had her times when she struggled with Donnie’s death, but each day she seemed a little lighter and stronger, and I had to believe it was because of the life she was creating.
Court took a step back and glanced at me. “It only seems right that I should be on the hot seat since Ryan just had to do the whole meet-the-parents thing a couple of weeks ago.”
Dad offered him a smile as he extended his hand. “Good to meet you officially, Court. I think dinner beats a courtroom for introductions.”
Court laughed. “It sure does. Thank you for having me over.”
Declan came over next, wiping his hands on a dish towel. “Nice to meet you finally. Dinner’s almost ready.”
“Happy to be here,” Court replied, shaking his hand as well.
“So, Court, do you like whisky?” Dad asked. “I’ve got a bottle of Macallan in the dining room.”
“Oh, you must have impressed him already,” I remarked to Court. “He doesn’t offer to share his whisky with just anybody.”
Court grinned. “I’ll never turn down a good whisky. Lead the way.”
We followed Dad to the small bar in the corner of the dining room, where he poured the amber liquid into four tumblers. He handed Court and me each a glass and told us about a case he just wrapped up.
Declan entered a moment later, carrying a platter of pot roast and mashed potatoes that had my mouth watering. “All right, everyone, grab a seat before Morgan starts complaining about being hungry.”
My sister rolled her eyes playfully but took her place at the table, her sparkling water in hand. “I’m eating for two now, remember? I’m allowed to complain.”
“You’re not even showing yet,” I teased as I slid into the chair next to Court. “At least wait until you have an actual bump before you start pulling the pregnancy card.”
Morgan pointed her fork at me. “Excuse me, but I have cravings, and those start way before the bump. Declan, please pass the potatoes.”
Declan handed over the bowl with a grin, and I snorted. “Wow, she has you at her beck and call now too?”
Declan shrugged. “I’m not as bad as your dad. He already started buying all the things a baby could possibly need.”
“Nothing but the best for my grandchild.” Dad grinned.
Morgan raised her glass in a toast. “To being the favorite child.”
“Like you weren’t already,” I muttered, earning a laugh from the table.
“Yeah, but now that title isn’t going anywhere since I’m giving him his first grandbaby.” She took a sip of her water.
We continued to chat mostly about our jobs and the baby. By the time we were leaving, it was clear Dad and Declan were fans of Court and had already planned our next family dinner.
As we settled into the car, Court let out a small sigh and leaned his head against the seat. “Well, I think I passed the test.”
I chuckled as I started the engine. “They definitely liked you.”
He turned to me, his lips curving into a smile. “I liked them too. And it’s obvious now why Morgan is … Well, Morgan.”
“She’ll probably have you wrapped around her finger soon too,” I said, pulling out of the parking garage. “She’s already planning when to have us babysit.”
Court groaned, shaking his head. “She mentioned diapers, and I’m still recovering from that mental image.”
I laughed, reaching over to lace my fingers with his. “Relax, you’ll be great. Besides, we’re a team, remember?”
He looked at me, his expression softening. “Yeah, we are, and I wouldn’t want anyone else.”
When we reached my building, I put the car into park and turned to face him. “I love you.”
His eyes locked on mine, and his smile widened. “I love you too.”
I leaned in, brushing my lips against his in a slow kiss.
When we pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine. “Thank you for giving me a second chance. You’re everything I didn’t know I needed in my life.”
“I feel the exact same way.”