Chapter Thirty-Two #3
Lorraine is now openly laughing behind her hand. My father looks like he’s praying for divine intervention.
I clear my throat roughly. “We are not having this conversation right now.”
Kit just tilts his head, still smiling. “But you’d look really hot holding a baby.”
Selina chokes. Armen wheezes. Even Ray has to look away to hide his grin.
I close my eyes again… this is hell. This is actual hell, and my own family dragged me into it.
I watch Kit take another sip of wine and decide I’ve had enough of this circus. “Okay,” I say, voice firm as I reach over and gently take the glass from his hand. “I think you’ve had enough to drink.”
Kit pouts at me, actually pouts.
I turn to my mother, keeping my expression flat. “It’s been lovely seeing you, Mother. Actually, no… I would have rather watched paint dry than listen to you try to persuade Kit to have children.”
My mother bursts out laughing, loud and bright, clearly tipsy herself. “Oh, don’t go yet!”
Kit, still happily drunk and zero filter, points at her with a big smile. “I like her.”
My mother actually blushes. “Oh, sweetheart…”
Fucking hell. I stand up, deciding this dinner is over. “We’re leaving.”
I slide my arm around Kit’s waist and help him up. He sways a little but leans into me with a soft giggle. Armen, bless him, immediately stands and offers his arm to Selina, who takes it with a grin. Ray and Lorraine are already moving, ready to follow.
My father clears his throat and stands as well. “I’ll take care of the bill,” he says, looking almost relieved to have an excuse to escape to the bar for a moment. “You lot head out. I’ll meet you outside.”
We make our way through the restaurant. I keep one arm firmly around Kit, guiding him so he doesn’t stumble. The cool night air hits us the second we step outside.
Kit tilts his head back, staring up at the sky with wide, wonder-filled eyes. “Aw… look at the pretty stars,” he murmurs, voice soft and dreamy.
I would grin at how adorable he looks right now…
flushed cheeks, messy curls, wearing those clothes and my watch, but honestly, tonight has been a lot.
Seeing him like this… relaxed, laughing, a little drunk, charming my parents, and looking so fucking good in that black shirt with the scar cutting across his face like a badge of survival…
it’s all hitting me at once. The image of him holding a baby earlier flashed through my mind again and I nearly short-circuited.
I’m not used to any of this. I’ve spent my entire life solitary, closed off, and in control. And now this one boy has me feeling things I don’t know how to process. I feel like I could jump straight into the river just to cool the fuck down.
We wait on the pavement as my driver pulls the SUV around. Kit is still staring up at the stars, swaying gently against my side. I tighten my arm around him, holding him steady.
My parents step out a moment later, my father joining us after paying.
My mother gives Kit a warm hug goodbye, then hugs me. “Bring him to visit us soon,” she whispers.
I just nod. When the SUV finally stops in front of us, I guide Kit into the back seat first, sliding in after him. The door shuts, and for the first time tonight, it feels like I can breathe again.
I lift my hand in a brief wave as the SUV pulls away from the restaurant. My parents wave back, my mother still smiling brightly. Thank God that’s over.
Selina’s in our car now, already yawning as she curls up against the window, eyes drifting shut. Armen and Ray went with Lorraine in the other SUV, probably so they could debrief the chaotic night without me growling at them the whole ride.
Kit shifts beside me. I glance over just in time to see him unclick his seatbelt.
“What the fuck are you doing, Kit?” I frown.
He grins, a tipsy, mischievous little grin that makes my chest tighten, and reaches over to unplug my seatbelt too.
I’m about to snap at him when he swings one leg over and straddles my lap, settling himself comfortably on top of me.
I blink, momentarily stunned. The drunk idiot actually reaches behind me, grabs my seatbelt, and pulls it around both of us before clicking it back in.
I let out a disbelieving laugh. “I don’t think that’s gonna do much good like this, kitten.”
Kit doesn’t answer. He just gently rests his head against my chest, nuzzling in like he belongs here.
I inhale slowly, then wrap my arms around him, one hand settling on his back, the other cupping the back of his head.
His body is warm and heavy against mine, the scent of his shampoo mixing with the faint trace of wine.
I close my eyes. I can’t even deny it… this feels nice, really fucking nice.
The city lights blur past the windows as the SUV glides smoothly down the road.
Selina is already softly snoring against the opposite window.
Kit’s breathing evens out against my chest, content and relaxed in a way I rarely get to see.
I press a slow kiss to the top of his head and hold him a little tighter.