Page 107 of Recon Rendezvous

Sasha takes the seat next to me, reading my apprehension, and starts chattering. “Oh, Xander is the best, you'll love him. Next time we'll have to meet at our house, invite the whole family over. Do you remember my friends, you met them at our wedding? They’d love to see you again.”

Mom smiles softly. “I would love that. Getting the family together again.”

They were already planning the menu, throwing out dates, and the wordfamilyreverberates in my head.Our family.Is that what Xander is? Has he become part of my family?

Today has been a bit of a mind fuck. I never thought we’d end up here. If anything, I thought this would last a few weeks because he drove me crazy, and then I could move toward what I was really here to do.

But we shot straight past every milestone. Were we ever anything but this? Frenemies with bennies, as he called us. But Xander’s persistence, charm, his ability to be both playful and supportive. Somewhere along the way, Xander weaseled in, became someone I needed more than my next breath, and now we're talking about family meals, kids, and matching cars.

Holy hell.

“What do you think of him?” I blurt, interrupting Sasha and Mom's planning.

They both turn to me, and I repeat my question, “What do you think of Xander?”

My mom chuckles. “Well, I've only known him for approximately three minutes. The wedding doesn’t count.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, because I know better. “Right, but give me your first impression of him, of us together so far.”

“Well,” she says, resting her elbows on the island countertop. “He seems smitten with you. We watched you get out of the car, and I love how he opened your door and helped you from the truck. All these years later and your father still opens doors for me. It’s a great quality. I thought it was so cute how you guys were holding hands as you walked up to the house.”

Sasha nods, smiling. She’s eating this up with a spoon.

“But it's the way he looks at you. The look he gave you warmed my heart, that’s how I want someone to look at my little girl. Like they’ll protect and respect her at all costs. Obviously, I'll get to know him better, but from what I've seen so far, I like him. We still have hours to get to know him, so let's not dwell, just have fun, and you can ask me again later.”

“You can count on it.”

This time I'll be all ears. I don't want to make the same mistakes I’ve made in the past, but everything tells me this is the furthest thing from what that was.

Xander’s gentle fingers move through my hair causing me to shiver as I talk with Mrs. Gr—Marilyn,after we’ve finished eating, just relaxing at the table with our mimosas. Ty and Sasha left a while ago, I think they were just here as buffers, but with everything going so well, they skedaddled.

“London, Xander mentioned you’re a photographer?”

I finish my mimosa before answering, “Yes, ma’am. I was just hired as a brand photographer for a reputable company here in Chicago and I’m excited to get started next week.”

“That’s right. Xander also mentioned that. Congratulations. I’d love to see your work.”

A warm hand caresses my back as Xander shifts to peer at his mother. “I’ll send it to you. My baby is so talented. You’re going to love it.”

Before turning back to a conversation with my parents and his dad, he refills my flute with the perfect pour of champagne and a splash of juice and presses a soft kiss to my cheek.

Smiling in thanks, my eyes meet my mom’s, and her expression is soft as she watches us. That, right there. I can see myself in her face and I just know she approves.

“How about we move to the family room, so we can get comfortable?” Mom suggests.

Xander rises quickly and starts to clear the table.

“Xander, leave it, you’re our guest,” Mom calls out.

“Respectfully, no. Growing up in my house, the cook never cleans. I’ll get this cleaned up. You all go ahead, and I’ll take care of this.”

I shake my head as she starts to protest. “You heard him. We’ve got this. Take your drinks and relax.”

“We’ll be done here soon, and then I can’t wait to see those photo albums you mentioned,” he calls out.

As soon as we’re in the kitchen and out of sight, Xander pulls me into his arms, his lips crashing into mine. Sinking into the kiss, I drift along the crashing waves, completely swept away.

Finally coming up for air, I cup his face, searching his eyes. “How? How did you know family means this much to me?” My voice falters, this overwhelming feeling seeps into every crevice of my being.

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