Page 38 of Trust Me With Forever

He made gagging sounds again. “No, thank you. I’d rather play soccer.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing, which became even harder when Avery sighed dramatically and blurted, “I want to be kissed again soon.”

Her father’s brows went up. “Who the fuck are you kissing now?”

Avery waggled a finger. “Language, Daddy.”

As he argued with his daughter about not kissing anyone until she was at least thirteen, my phone vibrated, and then again. Usually I tried not to look at it during dinner, but it kept going off and I debated what to do. Then a piece of roll landed in my lap from Aunt Lori’s direction. After I lifted my head and met her gaze, she held up her phone and gave me an expectant look.

Since she’d probably keep throwing food at me until I saw her texts, I discreetly pulled it from my pocket and read her messages:

Aunt Lori:I knew you two would end up together.

Aunt Lori:His gaze always turns hungry when he looks at you and he thought no one was looking.

Aunt Lori:And don’t worry, I’ll work on West. He and Rafe were close once, and I think they could be friends again.

Aunt Lori:But no matter what, I’ll hug your new piece of man meat every chance I get and make him feel welcome. That lad needs a family to love him, no matter what he might say.

The words blurred a little as I reread her final text. And just like that, my aunt welcomed and accepted Rafe, no questions asked.

Finally meeting her eyes again, I mouthed, “Thank you.”

She nodded, and then Zach tossed a pea at Zane, and Sabrina laughed as Zane dumped his water glass over his twin’s head.

Wyatt tried to do the same to his sister, but Emmy stopped him and laid out why someone shouldn’t pour water on another person’s head at the dinner table.

Amidst the chaos, I glanced at Rafe. He must’ve felt me watching him because he looked at me and whispered, “Is this normal?”

I smiled. “This is what it’s like when it’s just family. They were putting on more of a show in front of you before.”

He grumbled, “I’m not sure which is better.”

I lightly swatted his arm. “Be nice.”

His lips twitched. “But being bad can feel so good.”

He waggled his eyebrows, and I snorted. “So now you’re spouting corny lines?”

“How can I think properly in the face of such beauty?”

I rolled my eyes, but he continued, “You must’ve dropped from heaven because you look like an angel.”

I batted my eyelashes, pretending to be a big flirt. “And you must be the devil, tempting me to sin.”

After he moved my hand to his chest, he leaned down and murmured, “No, you’re the witch who’s entranced me.”

Avery sighed and said in a loud whisper right next to me, “You’re so lucky, Aunt Abby. I can’t wait until you have a babyand then I can be like a big sister to him or her, even though I know I’m just a cousin.”

Her words were like dumping cold water over my head. “Baby?”

She nodded. “Kissing can lead to being naked and sex. Sex makes babies. So have lots of sex.”

Nolan choked on his wine, and West’s voice boomed, “Why are you talking about sex and babies?”

Avery answered matter-of-factly. “I’m not a little girl any longer, Daddy. Besides, I’ve seen bulls go at it for as long as I can remember. Although taking the cow from behind didn’t look very comfortable. Do humans do it that way too?”

Zach, devil that he was, said, “Maybe you should write down all your questions for your dad, Avery, and he can answer them. Knowledge is power, after all.”

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