Page 49 of One Night With You

Feelings were a tricky thing. How did I feel about Claire?

I didn’t know. I wanted her. I liked her. I craved her.

But beyond that?

What did we want?

Hell. That was too much to think about right now so I wouldn’t. Claire and I were fine. We just…were.

I pulled into my parents’ driveway as they’d left a spot for me. There was usually enough street parking, but it seemed that another neighbor was having peopleover that night, so they had left me space. It was just those little things, but that showed they were always thinking about me. Always thinking about all of us.

I looked down at my work suit, and figured maybe I should have changed, but I could fit into my dad Lincoln’s clothes if I wanted to get comfortable. I hadn’t brought a change of clothes because I hadn’t been thinking. No, I had been more worried about making sure that I had everything in the car for dinner.

I got out and went to the backseat to pull out a dried fruit and nut tray thing that I had gotten at the store, as well as a couple of loaves of bread that hopefully were fine. It wasn’t the greatest thing for dinner, but it could stay in the car when I was at work. I hadn’t been sure when I was going to get off, because it depended on the client, and I was glad Ford had at least let me out a little bit early.

The door opened, and Ethan walked out, a wide grin on his face. “You’re here. We thought you’d be late.”

Hands full, I just shrugged. “I got lucky. Working with family has its perks.”

My dad moved forward and took one of the bags from my hands. “You didn’t have to bring anything you know. You know we always cook for an army.”

“Wearean army. We need all the food. And I need some protein.” At the sound of a gleeful shout, I lookedup. Amelia bounced in the doorway, and I grinned over at her.

“Hey there, baby Amelia.” My niece was freaking delightful. Livvy had put her in pigtails and a winter dress with tights and she looked like a little princess.

“Uncle Kingston! Mommy and I are here for dinner! I love dinner!”

“Me too, babe.” My dad chuckled beside me as we moved toward the house, watching Amelia bounce on her toes since she was clearly not allowed out of the doorway—smart kid.

“Amelia, darling, away from the door, please.” Livvy’s voice rang out, she ran forward, her long hair flowing down her back, and she picked up her daughter, and set her on her hip. She was getting so big that it surprised me that Livvy could pick her up so easily with how slender she was, but all moms were strong. I had learned that firsthand.

“It’s okay, I’m here, and I’ve got nuts.”

“Nuts. Nuts!” Amelia said repeatedly, clapping her little hands together, and my dad groaned while Livvy just glared at me.

I gave the most innocent smile ever, before I leaned down, blew a raspberry on Amelia’s cheek, and then did the same to Livvy just to make her laugh.

My cousin just rolled her eyes at me and then kissedmy cheek. “Thanks for that,” she said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

“Nuts. Kiss. Nuts. Kiss.”

Amelia could speak in full sentences, and was a little rock star, but sometimes she just liked to scream one word at me, mostly because she enjoyed seeing her mom roll her eyes at the whole screaming bad words thing.

As expected, both of my brothers, Oliver and Logan were there, as was my cousin Lake. I frowned at one of the co-owners of Montgomery Ink Legacy and Montgomery Security, and she just smiled wide at me.

“I heard there was food. I couldn’t help but want to be here.”

I opened my arms, and my cousin hugged me tightly. She had been through so much during the last few years, and I couldn’t help but hold her a bit tighter. Even though she was happily married, and a mother to a very beautiful little girl, I couldn’t help but remember the same Lake who had stared at me with wide eyes, and dark circles under her eye with dark circles underneath those, begging us for help.

She seemed to sense what I was thinking and tapped me on the chin. “Stop worrying about me, Kingston. I’m doing fantastic. I love Nick—he’s an amazing husband who loves me. And I have a beautiful daughter whomakes every day worth living beyond any measure. I’m not in that place anymore. We have other family members to worry about.” She lifted a brow and I sighed.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Hey, you brought nuts,” Oliver said, shaking the bag I’d brought.

Livvy groaned. “Seriously?”

My brother blinked innocently. “What? I like nuts.”

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