Chapter 25
VAL
“Chop, chop. Come on, no slacking. The others are going to be here any minute now,” I instructed one week later as I was preparing for Friday dinner.
Jace and Hailey had arrived earlier, and I had roped them into helping me cook.
Usually I didn’t want more than one chef in the kitchen (unless it was a bare-chested, singing Carter; I’d eat burned toast just to have that view), but I was trying out a new dish today, and it turned out to be more complex than I’d thought.
“Hey, I’m working hard,” Jace complained. “I’m just not good at it.”
Hailey wasn’t faring much better. She’d actually arrived earlier because she wanted to dish about her latest date, but with Jace around, that had to wait. But by the shimmy in my sister’s movements, I gathered it had gone better than fine.
It had been a hectic week, in which I’d finally managed to try out the “sampling in the dark” technique, and I liked it so much that I was going to incorporate it into my routine from now on.
Whenever I’d had a free moment, I’d been perusing my favorite online stores, and sent April so many links that she could renew her entire wardrobe.
I’d told April to blame me for any outfits Carter might deem…
inappropriate. I hoped Carter wouldn’t have a panic attack when she showed him the selection.
“Considering you had two hopeless cases as kitchen aides, I’d say this turned out pretty well,” Jace said a while later as he tasted the final product.
“Hey, don’t sell yourself short,” I replied after swallowing a spoonful. “This is great. Before you know it, you’ll be a cook. A very attractive quality in a guy, I must say.”
“Yeah, what’s that, Jace? Val tells me you’re on your way to settling down,” Hailey teased.
“You already informed everyone in the family?”
“Of course.”
Jace narrowed his eyes at me. “I thought you said you wouldn’t meddle.”
I widened my eyes mockingly. “Me? Never. But I told Hailey, and if she wants to interfere, I can’t be held responsible, can I?”
“You don’t have to worry about me, little bro. I’m not going to do anything.” She’d started to make salad dressing.
“Awwww, sis. I’m knee deep in shit. You’re using your ‘PR’ tone. The one that means I’m just going to pacify this poor schmuck but do what I want anyway.”
Hailey stopped putting salt in the salad. “When did you become so perceptive?”
Jace winked. “A while ago. So, ’fess up.”
“Well… you do have quite the fan club among my friends.”
“You’re not going to warn me off anyone, unlike our oldest sister here?”
“I have far more trust in you,” Hailey said solemnly.
“That’s my Hailey.”
Once everyone had arrived and was seated at the table, I realized I had no herbs for the salad, so I went out in the yard to pick some fresh thyme and coriander. I was crouched, pulling at the herbs, when I heard the voice.
“Damn, that’s a sight for sore eyes.”
I straightened up and nearly lost my balance as I whirled around to face Carter.
My face split in a grin. “What are you doing here?”
“You said you were home, and I thought I’d surprise you.”
He glanced at the herbs, then at the house as laughter filtered through the open windows.
“You’ve got company?”
“Yeah. My entire family is here. Friday night dinner, remember?”
I’d invited him twice, but he always had plans with the girls Friday evening, so I hadn’t insisted. After he’d asked me to sleep at his house last week, I’d wanted to bring it up again, but hadn’t had the chance. This was the perfect opportunity.
“I hadn’t realized they’re a regular thing.”
“I’ve made them a regular thing ever since Will turned eighteen and moved out. I think the likelihood of an asteroid colliding with earth is higher than me canceling a Friday dinner.”
Carter laughed as his gaze perused me lazily, igniting my body. I was certain he could do this a million times and it still would affect me.
“Do you want to join us?” I asked, though I was trying to mentally envision what would happen when I introduced him to my brothers. He must have mistaken my worry for reticence because he frowned.
“If you’d rather keep it family only, I understand.”
“Of course not. I’d love to have you and the girls here, but I know you always have plans on Friday. Where are they now?”
“Playdate with a friend.”
“Come on, let’s head inside. But I’m warning you, it can be a bit crazy when we’re all together, and my brothers can be a bit overprotective.”
Carter gave me a sinful smile. “That’s what brothers are for. I still need to talk to you about all those links you sent to April.”
I assessed the glint in his eyes. It was somewhere between dangerous and delicious.
I shimmied a little as we climbed the staircase up to the house.
Carter placed an arm around my lower back, his palm pressing against the side of my waist. A spark of awareness traveled from where his fingertips touched all the way to my navel, and lower still.
Hmm… I should have stolen some kisses when I had the chance.
The moment we entered the dining room, everyone went quiet.
“Everyone, this is Carter.” I gestured with one hand, still clutching the herbs in the other.
Carter shook hands with everybody, and I could see the wheels spinning in my brothers’ minds.
They’d known I was seeing Carter. I told them after he and I talked in my office, but they hadn’t pried.
Yet as I took in Will’s and Jace’s expressions, I was sure they were about to do a whole lot of prying. Landon looked calm, as always.
“I’ll take care of the herbs,” Hailey offered, and I gave her a thankful glance as I handed over the thyme and coriander. I didn’t think leaving Carter to fend off Jace and Will when they were in protective mode was the best thing.
Will started the interrogation, of course. He might not wear a badge anymore, but he still put his detective skills to use. I glanced at Paige, his fiancée, who was watching him closely. I knew she’d have my back if Will came on too strong.
The atmosphere was friendly though. I wouldn’t have to throttle either Jace or Will. Progress.
Midway through dinner, I was completely relaxed as we chitchatted about a particularly fun moment at Lori and Graham’s wedding.
Then Milo piped up to tell Carter, “Dad asked for my permission before he married Mom. If you want, you can ask my permission too.”
I felt as if my face was on fire. My nephew meant well and was simply being adorable as usual, but I couldn’t help glancing at Carter out of the corner of my eye.
Kids liked to repeat what adults said, and I didn’t want Carter to think I’d told my family I had any expectations. I didn’t want to scare him away.
“I’ll certainly keep that in mind,” Carter answered jovially.
After dinner, we were playing badminton.
“Want to join us?” I asked Carter.
“Sure. The girls are spending the night at their friends’ houses.”
“You had great plans, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
I grinned, unsuccessfully trying to ignore the way my body reacted to his words. This man was a walking danger for me. I’d planned to serve ice cream for dessert, but to my astonishment, I realized I didn’t have enough.
“Change of plans,” I told the room at large. “I’m going to buy a pie real quick.”
There was a bakery nearby, and their pies were to die for. Before I left, I pulled Carter a little further away, whispering, “I’m sorry for the interrogation.”
“It’s all good. Nothing April’s and Peyton’s dates won’t hear from me.” He winked at me.
“Just ignore any sentence including the words serious or future, okay?”
Carter didn’t answer. He simply nodded, but his jaw seemed tight.