Chapter 19 #2
I smile nervously back at him, giving a small nod. Oliva, not shy at all, walks over and wraps her arms around my neck in a big hug. I gasp at the unexpected firmness of the embrace. She looks tiny and frail, but the woman has incredible strength.
“It’s about time Aaden introduced us to a girl.”
“Liv,” Aaden snorts.
Oliva releases me and looks at him. “Well, it’s true, little brother,” she teases. I laugh at the authoritative tone she takes with Aaden. Clearly, she is a force to be reckoned with, and Aaden knows it.
“And who is this?” Beverly asks as she bends down and scoops up the little ball of cuteness at our feet.
I reach over and scratch her head. “This is Gidget, my Christmas present from Aaden,” I say, smiling at him. Beverly and Oliva look at each other with an expression I can’t quite decipher.
“Such a personal gift,” Olivia coos. Aaden rolls his eyes then turns to talk to his father.
“I’ve always wanted a pug. It was very thoughtful of him.” I smile, but there’s a hint of sadness there that Beverly must have picked up on.
“Oh, my dear, yes, Aaden told us about your mother. How is she doing?” She understands exactly what this puppy means to me. She hands me Gidget, and I kiss my puppy softly on the top of her head as I tuck her into my arms. Beverly leads me to the couch to sit.
“She has her good days and her bad,” I say with tears burning my eyes. Oliva sits behind her mother, so they are both angled to face me.
“I’m so sorry, Leah,” Olivia says kindly. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” She places a hand on her mother’s shoulder, and they both look at each other and smile.
“It’s been hard,” I say softly. “But Aaden has been wonderful.” I glance over at him as the guys retreat into the kitchen for a drink.
“Will she be joining us for Christmas?” Beverly asks, her eyes full of kindness and concern.
“Yes.” I nod, sitting up straighter trying to shake off the depressing mood. “She’ll be here tomorrow for Christmas Eve. We set up one of the spare rooms for her, so we can all spend Christmas morning together.”
Beverly pats my hand, her green eyes sparkling. “Wonderful. I can’t wait to meet her.”
Changing subjects, our conversation flows between lighter topics: work, California, how Aaden and I met.
That particular topic seems of great interest to both of them.
We spend several minutes getting acquainted before Aaden walks over with two glasses of red wine and hands one to me and the other to his mother.
Shane follows with a glass for Olivia. He was right; I had nothing to be nervous about.
His family is amazing. The six of us sit and chat until it’s time to leave for dinner.
Aaden made reservations, even though I’d insisted I could cook.
“You’ll be cooking for the next two days.
Let’s relax and enjoy their first night. ”
I excuse myself and retreat to our room to grab my boots. Aaden enters a moment later. I’m fixing my makeup in the bathroom mirror when he comes in and slides his arms around my waist. “I told you they would love you,” he whispers in my ear.
“Well, I think they are pretty fantastic, too.” I smile at his reflection.
“You look a little flushed. Are you okay?” he asks, pulling my hair away from my neck.
“Yeah, just nerves and the wine.”
He kisses my cheek softly. “You have nothing to be nervous about. All smooth sailing from here.”
A short while later, we’re sitting around a table at Eclipse, one of the city’s most grand and expensive restaurants. We ordered crab dip as our appetizer, and Shane devoured the majority of it. “You hogged the whole thing!” Olivia snorts.
“I can’t help it,” he says as he shoves the last of the dip into his mouth. “You know how much I love Maryland seafood.” Aaden and I laugh as Olivia rolls her eyes.
“There’s more food coming,” Frank says, watching Shane chew a large mouthful of crab.
“And I’ll eat that, too.” He smiles. We snicker as he eyes the plate of crumbs and a few scraps of remaining crab.
“Excuse me,” I say as I stand. “I need to use the ladies’ room.” All three men stand as I place my napkin on the table.
“I’ll join you,” Olivia adds quickly. As we walk across the restaurant, Olivia seizes the moment. “My brother seems pretty taken with you.” She smiles.
I blush and duck my head as we enter the restroom. “I’m pretty taken with him, too.”
“He’s happy. I’ve never seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you. You’re good for him, Leah.” My heart flutters in my chest. I can’t believe someone like Aaden Stone is with me, and his family seems thrilled about it.
After a few minutes, we return to the table to find our food has arrived.
Shane enthusiastically bites into his crab cake, and Olivia shakes her head and giggles as she sits back down next to him.
I was hungry when we arrived, but now, the stuffed shrimp I ordered doesn’t look very appetizing.
I pick at my food, barely eating half of it before pushing the plate away.
Aaden notices and frowns. “Something wrong with your food?” he asks as he covers my hand with his.
“No, it’s fine. My stomach is just a little off.” I wave my hand dismissively. He nods, lifts my hand to his lips, and kisses it.
We sit and talk for an hour after we’ve finished our meals.
The more time I spend with Aaden’s family, the more relaxed I feel.
Olivia and I have become instant friends, and his mother is already doting over me like I’m one of her own.
When we’re ready to leave, Aaden helps me into my coat.
Wrapping his arms around my waist, he leans down and whispers into my ear, “You’re a hit. ”