Page 85 of Broken Rivalry

He grins, looking relieved. “You’re not mad?”

I caress his hair. “It’s adorable. Insane, but adorable.”

He keeps his forehead on the steering wheel but turns a little to look at me.

“Really?”

I smile, and this time, there’s no apprehension. “Really. I love you, Ethan, truly. You don’t need all of this. I don’t want my brothers to like you for your money.”

He gives me his rueful grin that makes my heart beat a little faster. “As long as you don’t like me for it, I don’t care.”

I lean in and kiss his cheek. “No, I love you in spite of it,” I huff. “Come on, I see my mother looking at us from the kitchen window. Time to go.”

Ethan straightens and looks at the window, directly at my mother, who I’m not sure can see him with the way the sun is hitting the car.

Draped across the front door is a bright banner that reads, “Happy Birthday, James!” in bold, colorful letters. Balloons in various shades of blue, presumably James’s favorite color, are tied to the fence posts, bobbing in the breeze.

The pathway leading to the front door is lined with potted plants, their vibrant hues adding to the festive atmosphere. I can hear faint laughter and chatter from inside, indicating that the guests have already started to arrive.

He whistles beside me, clearly impressed. “Your mom’s gone all out, hasn’t she?”

I nod, a smile playing on my lips. “She always does when it comes to family. It’s her way of showing love.”

He glances at the house, a thoughtful frown on his face. “What if she rejects me? What does it mean for us?”

Ah, he asked the million-dollar question. The one I am dreading to have to answer, but I know the answer.

He turns toward me when I remain silent.

“It means that it will be us against the world because she will need to get used to you. You’re not going anywhere.”

He jerks in surprise, and his frown morphs into an expression of such joy. Damn, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ethan this happy… ever!

He grabs my face in his hands and kisses me hard. “You and me against the world.”

“You and me against the world,” I affirm, pausing to gather my thoughts. “Come on. Time to go.”

I tell Ethan to settle for the bouquet of pink, white, and yellow roses, hydrangeas, gerbera daisies, carnations, a medium box of chocolate, and, of course, the game console for James.

“But what about everything else?” he asks urgently as he closes the car.

“We’ll take the flowers to the retirement home down the street, and chocolate lasts a long time. As for the Legos, you can give them to Billy for Christmas or whenever.”

Ethan grins and grabs my hand. I think he really likes when I include him in future plans, and honestly, so do I.

I grip Ethan’s hand, and by the time we reach the door, my anxiety is so high I can’t seem to breathe quite right.

I hesitate for a second in front of the door.

“Pop—” Ethan starts, but he’s interrupted by the door opening.

“Poppy, Ethan, here you are!” My mother’s eyes light up as she sees us, her arms opening wide in a welcoming gesture. She quickly pulls us into a warm embrace, her concern evident. “Come on, quick, it’s too cold out there!” She hurries us inside, her fingers brushing against my cheek in a motherly manner as she closes the door behind us.

I follow her lead, still processing her warm reception of Ethan. It has to be a dream; Mom wouldn’t react like that in Ethan’s presence.

“Look at you!” Mom says, staring at Ethan, her smile still on her face and the joy seemingly genuine. “You’re a man now.”

“I… well, yes. Thank you, Mrs. Donovan. You look wonderful.”

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