Page 49 of Desirous

The smile on Kat’s face makes my heart swell and tells me she isn’t as nervous as I worried she would be. “Thank you so much for having me. I’m crazy about Alex, and all I want is to see him as happy as he makes me.”

My grandmother does that thing where she takes a person’s hands in hers and gives Kat a big smile I know is genuine. “My son raves about your abilities as a chef, and I know Olivia is a big fan of yours too, so I’m glad to finally get the chance to finally meet the famous Kat.”

“Oh, I don’t know if I’m famous. I’m more like just Kat.”

“Don’t kid yourself. You’ve caused quite a stir in this family. Alex swore he was going to be single forever, so you did something pretty incredible. I’ve watched you two all day, and it’s clear to me you’re happy, and that makes me happier than I can say.”

“Thank you. I was so worried coming here today that I’d mess up someone’s name or you wouldn’t like me. Thank you for making me feel so welcome with all of you.”

In her usual sweet way, Alexandria March opens her arms and gives Kat a big hug. From my vantage point, I see relief wash over her face, and I know she’s one of us now.

Katerina March. That has a nice ring to it.

Cade grabsme and hands me a beer before pulling me toward the stairs leading down to the beach. “While the girls are all inside, let’s go have a beer like old times.”

I look in through the kitchen door and see Kat with Savannah, Mia, and Hailey looking at pictures with my grandmother and mother. At least they never disappoint.

“Don’t worry. You always look good, so it’s not like there’s anything they’re going to show her that will make her run for the hills,” he jokes.

Cash and Liam are already relaxing on the sand, so the two of us join them as the sun begins to set in the distance, giving the water an orange hue that never fails to make me love this place. All my life, the best times were here, and today is no exception.

“Coming to hide out from whatever Grandma is doing inside?” Liam asks with a chuckle. “Be careful, Alex. They get those old family photos out, and the next thing you know, everyone’s talking about when you’re having kids. I swear that’s why Grandma does it.”

“Kat seems to be holding up pretty well, all things considered,” Cash says. “We can be more than a little overwhelming.”

I can’t disagree with that. “She’s an only child, so this is like being thrown into the belly of the beast for someone like her.”

Cade raises his bottle in the air and says, “Here’s to the newest girlfriend having to deal with this family. Thankfully, she’s got Hailey, Savannah, and Mia to help her.”

All four of us hold our beers up and laugh. “There’s safety in numbers,” Liam jokes.

We sit there silently for a while before Cade says, “So that’s it. There are no more of us to settle down.”

I give him a look to say he’s wrong, and Liam leans forward to look over at him. “Dude, Wilder hasn’t settled down.”

That gets him an eye roll from Cade, who still hates the only single March or Jackson man left. “Fine, but out of all of us who have always hung out together, Alex is the last to fall.”

Turning his attention to me, he asks with a smile, “How’s it feel to admit you were wrong and we were right?”

“Right about what?”

My brother answers for him. “We told you that you wouldn’t be single forever, but you refused to believe the almighty Alex March would ever settle down with only one woman.”

“We’re not married, Cash. We’re just happy and having a good time, which is very much me, so not much has changed.”

His eyes light up, and he reaches into his pocket to throw a hundred down onto the sand. “That calls for a bet. Who’s going to be the first to tie the knot? I say Liam.”

Cade and I look at each other like we know it won’t be us first. “I think it’s going to be you, Cash,” I say and Cade seconds that idea. “Yeah, I figured it would be you first too.”

We look to our left at Liam, who looks like the cat who just swallowed the canary. Leaning back, he slides his hand into his front pants pocket and pulls out a small black velvet box.

“I think Cash might be the winner, but he had inside information since I showed him the ring earlier.”

I elbow my brother for trying to bait us into a bet he already knew the outcome of. “Nice trick, Cash.”

Liam opens the box and shows us all a huge diamond engagement ring. Beaming a smile, he says, “I’m planning to ask her tonight.”

“Jesus, what did that run you, man? That had to set you back nearly ten grand!” Cade says as he takes a look at it.

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