Chapter 40 Your Boyfriend is Handsome
YOUR BOYFRIEND IS HANDSOME
KATIE
How could a man be so effortlessly handsome, funny and sexy?
I couldn’t stop smiling. Because he had stayed over after we had dinner (he reheated everything), washed my hair, and cuddled me to sleep. I had watched him baby talk to Pollux when we came downstairs that morning, and even though Pollux just stared at him, it made me happy.
The smell of butter and bread filled my kitchen, mingling with the sound of Dylan humming low in his throat as he slathered jam over toast.
Sunlight poured in through the window, warming the island where we sat. Well, he sat with me on his lap. His hair was still mussed from sleep, the lazy grin on his face too infectious.
I popped a strawberry into my mouth. “You know, I think you’re getting a little too comfortable in my house.”
Dylan leaned back, a fork dangling from his fingers as his other hand rubbed lazy circles on my back. “Comfortable? Please. I’ve already claimed my side of the bed, the bee mug in your kitchen is mine now, and this is my seat now. It’s official, darling. I live here now.”
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes and parted my lips when he fed me the toast covered in jam. I made a sound of discontent when he leaned in to lick the crumbs of toast from my lips.
“Weirdo,” I said after chewing my food. I fed him the same toast, feeling extremely comfortable on his lap. I think I knew which was my favorite seat in the house.
His hand slid under the hem of my oversized tee shirt, his palm cupping my breast. His thumb brushed over my nipple, making me narrow my eyes at him.
“Dylan—”
“What?” he said, his pout making an appearance. “Just… I’m stressed and this helps me. A lot.” He squeezed my breast, but he looked too adorable not to give him the right to grope my chest.
I tried to glare but failed, and he caught on to how his pout had charmed me.
Heat coiled in my belly when his mouth caught mine in a slow, sweet kiss.
His tongue teased mine, his other hand steadying my thigh.
I moaned into his mouth, about to turn and straddle him when the front door of my house opened.
“Katie?” Amanda’s voice rang down the hallway. “You home? Hi Pollux! Where’s your mom—oh?”
Amanda stepped into the kitchen and stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes widened, and her voice was pitched high when she yelled, “What the fuck? Dylan? What are you doing to Katie’s boobs!”
Dylan didn’t move his hand. He was still kneading my breast.
My entire soul almost leapt out of my body.
Dylan, who could charm anyone, stammered, “I… nothing. She was having a heart attack. I was just checking it to make sure… yeah.”
“That’s your excuse?” I snapped my head toward him in horror, slapping his chest. “Amanda, I can explain.”
I wriggled free of his lap and stood up. But I had forgotten I wasn’t wearing anything underneath and tugged down the baggy t-shirt over whatever decency I had left. Dylan saw that and tried to stand in front of me. But he was shirtless and in his boxers.
“I’ve seen her naked befo—what the hell?” Amanda gawked at us, hands on her hips. “Yes, please explain why my younger brother is in your house, eating breakfast while you’re both half-naked and holding on to your tits for dear life! I know they’re great, but come on!”
“She doesn’t need to explain.” Dylan squeezed my hand and said, “She’s my girlfriend now.”
Both Amanda and I said in unison. “What!?”
Dylan squeezed my hand tighter, his eyes never leaving his sister. “Yeah. She’s mine. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, but we like each other and things just… happened.”
Amanda blinked.
My heart thundered in my chest, panic surging. She was my best-friend, and I had kept things from her.
“Amanda, I should’ve said something before. I just—”
“Don’t. It’s fine,” she cut me off, her jaw clenching as she turned around. “Just get ready and go to Anna’s, okay?”
We got ready in a hurry, and I had to strip out of the dress and don it again because I wore it inside out. Thankfully, Dylan didn’t attempt to grab my breasts again, even though I saw his bulge through his pants.
The awkwardness followed us out the door, and Dylan, of course, made it worse. “Here you go, darling,” he said grandly, opening the passenger door for me with a bow.
Amanda stood behind us, arms crossed, eyebrows raised so high they nearly touched her hairline.
I threw her an apologetic smile and sat in the passenger seat of Dylan’s car. If I had known Amanda would arrive earlier than expected, we wouldn’t have gotten caught. I had given her a key to my house, though she rarely used it and—
I stopped overthinking when Dylan whistled like it was just another day, sliding into the driver’s seat while Amanda climbed into the back.
“I’m wondering if this is a dream or a nightmare,” she muttered, throwing daggers at both of us.
I cleared my throat, looking out of the window. It would be my fault if she broke up our friendship, but I would talk to her before that could happen.
The car ride to Coral Springs felt long. Too long. Even Dylan remained quiet, his shades on as he drove with both hands on the wheel, his knuckles white. I knew he was itching to hold my hand or my thigh.
The silence was heavy until Amanda broke it. “So, tell me. How exactly did this happen?”
Dylan shot me a smirk before lying smoothly. “Well, you know. We have similar goals in life. Same values. And since you’re my sister and she’s your best friend… it just felt natural.”
“You’re stupid.” Amanda snorted. “Katie, we need to talk later.”
I nodded quickly. “Of course. I’m sorry, Amanda. I should’ve—”
“It’s fine,” she said, staring out the window. I couldn’t read her expression.
I slumped in the seat and blinked at my lap when Dylan’s hand covered mine, squeezing it.
By the time we pulled into Anna’s driveway, my nerves were all over the place.
But the sight of my sister glowing with happiness as she greeted everyone melted my tension.
She was glowing, her pregnancy bump on full display, Caleb on one side of her and Kyle on the other.
The two husbands fussed over her like loyal guard dogs, and Anna beamed, soaking it all up.
After her past, she deserved it and more.
The backyard was decorated with pastel balloons, with a giant cake sitting on the picnic table. Everyone wore either pink or blue. Dylan and I both wore pink because we were team girl. She had a son and a younger daughter, but I believed she was going to have a girl.
I was also surprised to see Summer Hayes and her fiancé Damon in the backyard. She grinned, waving at me. I smiled, greeting her back.
“Katie,” my mom appeared beside me, and I felt Dylan’s gaze on my neck. He was talking to others, but I could see he was worried about me.
“Mother,” I said.
“I’m sorry.”
My head snapped to her, the same eyes as mine, glancing at me. “What?” I asked, wondering if I had misheard.
She swallowed and said, her tone sincere, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have… done that on your birthday.”
“Yes, you shouldn’t have,” I said sharply. Closing my eyes, I sighed, “It’s fine. You’ve always done that.”
“I just wanted you to taste—never mind that. I’m sorry I never knew how to be your mother,” she said it so quietly I barely heard it.
My hand tightened on my purse when she continued, “Anna and others were fine. Anna… she’s so kind and gentle. She practically parented all of you.”
“Yeah, she did.”
Without Anna, I don’t know what I would have done with my life. Mom hadn’t supported her when she got pregnant in high school, throwing her out, and I had gone with Anna, supporting her. They made up after Dad died, but I couldn’t forgive Mom.
“If only I was a better mother, your childhood would have been different,” she said, staring at Alice, Anna’s daughter, laughing and playing around.
“It’s in the past now,” I said, not knowing what else to say. I sometimes wish there were a manual on how to act like a human being in certain situations.
Her warm, withered hand touched mine, and I glanced at her glassy eyes. “I know I can’t make up for the lost time, but I hope I can be better.”
My throat burned, and I squeezed her hand. “You don’t have to say that, Mom.”
She smiled, giving me a hug, and I sighed in relief, breathing in her familiar scent. “I’ll go before your boyfriend comes over and scolds me for making you cry.”
I frowned, wiping a stray tear away and looked over my shoulder to find Dylan glaring at us. “T-that’s not—”
“I’m your mother. I know everything.” My mom patted my cheek. “He’s cute.”
She left before I could utter anything, and Dylan was beside me within a second, asking me if I wanted to leave, needed some space in a room or some water.
I chuckled, waving him off and got ready when my sister finally arrived with her husband to reveal the gender.
When Anna sliced into the cake, cheers erupted. The inside was bright pink. “A girl!” Caleb shouted, hugging Anna.
Kyle lifted her hand to kiss it, his eyes shining. “We’re gonna have another little princess.”
The crowd cheered as everyone went to greet her. I sniffled, gladly taking a handkerchief from Dylan. I was so happy for her.
My heart swelled when Alice ran over to me. She tugged at my dress until I bent down.
“Aunt Katie?” she whispered loudly, eyes darting toward Dylan, who went to congratulate Caleb. “Your boyfriend is handsome.”
My jaw dropped, and heat rushed to my cheeks. “Alice!”
She shrugged, grinning toothily. “Mom told me to get a pretty boyfriend or girlfriend so I can’t stay mad at them too long. You did well, Aunt Katie.”
I laughed helplessly, ruffling her hair. “Thanks, Alice.”
Alice scampered off to steal frosting, leaving me red-faced.
Later, after lunch, I stood with a cup of lemonade in my hand.
I caught sight of Dylan across the yard.
He was crouched down, helping Alice pick up her dropped balloon.
He tied it securely around her wrist, ruffling her hair before letting her run back to the games.
Then he joined Caleb and Kyle in a conversation, his hands gesturing animatedly as they laughed with him like he’d always been part of the family.
Something in my chest softened. It felt terrifying. Watching him like that, being playful and kind, mingling with my family, I realized I was slowly falling for him.