Page 69 of Everlasting Promises

Donnelly nudges me with an exaggerated wink. “I see you took my advice and went after that hot single mom.” He nudges me again. “Good for you, man.”

I scowl at Don. “How about we have another chat about being respectful toward women next time we catch up? I think you need it.”

He has the courtesy of looking chastised. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Promise.” He holds up his hands in surrender and backs away from me.

I look at all the people jammed into the room, and notice all eyes are still trained on me. I tip my lips up in what I hope looks like a genuine smile and not an uncomfortable grimace. I guess I should have expected this, seeing as we’re new. And by the sounds of things, Evan’s spoken about Seb and me—a lot. I spot a huge guy with crutches and nod in his direction—that’s gotta be Shane. He’s a freaking unit. He tips his head in my direction, but his attention snaps toward the kitchen.

“Did you say thank you?” Hope’s smooth voice makes its way to me before my eyes land on her. She’s wearing wide-leg jeans and a loose sweater that exposes one slender shoulder that I’d love to press a kiss to. Her curls are piled on top of her head with several loosely framing her face. I swallow down my instant desire for her, which heats through my body like a nuclear blast.

She guides Evan back to us. “Hey, thanks for coming.” She nudges Evan. “Ev, what do you say?”

“Thanks for my presents.”

“You’re welcome,” Seb and I say at the same time.

Hope glances around. “Let me introduce you guys to everyone.”

“I already know Seb,” Lucy blurts as she hooks her arm through Seb’s.

Hope’s eyebrows shoot up as she looks between the two. “How?”

Lucy tips her head toward Seb. “He’s the firefighter we were supposed to meet atBrady’sthat night.”

Hope’s eyes widen, and something like shame slides over her features. “Oh.” Then she glances at me. “Were you going to be there, too?”

I raise my eyebrows and nod with a grin, rocking back on my heels. “Yep.”

We both chuckle, and the pretty pink blush I love rises up her neck. “I guess we were meant to meet, huh?”

I nod slowly. “It seems that way.”

Lucy looks between me and Hope. “Hang on.You’reBen. The cop who brought Evan home?”

My gaze slides to Lucy. “That’s me.”

She looks at her friend with raised brows and mouths, “Wow.”

Hope shrugs with a grin, and I desperately want to reach forward and cup her face, so I can bring her mouth to mine, but that’s impossible right now. Instead, I settle for tracing her features with my eyes. She has a little makeup on today, so the smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks isn’t as obvious, but whatever she’s done to her eyes makes them really pop. “You look beautiful.”

She blinks several times, and her friend, Lucy, smirks. Hope tucks her chin to her chest with a shy smile. “Thanks.” She looks back up at us and shifts on her feet. “Let me introduce you guys.” She leads us to a middle-aged couple. “Ben and Sebastian. These are Wyatt’s parents, Tracey and Graeme.”

Wow, introducing me to the in-laws right out of the gate. I swallow my nerves, wipe my hand on my jeans, and hold it out toshake theirs, dipping my chin out of respect. “Nice to meet you both.”

“You too, Ben. We’ve heard a lot about you from Evan.” Tracey smiles kindly.

I can’t imagine what they’ve been through to lose their son and watch their grandson grow up without his father. After watching Bev lose Tahlia, I know how difficult it is for a parent to lose their child. As Bev used to say, “It’s supposed to be the other way around. I’m supposed to go first, not mourn my only child.”

I laugh nervously. “Only good things, I hope.” I hadn’t realized—until this moment—how important it is to me that Wyatt’s family approves of me. After all, I want to take care of their son’s family. I want to make them mine.

Graeme grips my bicep and squeezes. “Only the best things, son.” He turns to Sebastian. “I hear you’re a hose jockey. How long have you been in the job?”

Wyatt’s dad called me son, and his mom was warm toward me. Right? I didn’t imagine all that. That has to be a positive start to what I hope will be a long-standing relationship.

I blow out a relieved breath, but before we can talk anymore, Hope moves me along, leaving Sebastian and Graeme to talk shop. “This is Wyatt’s sister, Clara, my best friend since middle school, and her husband, Ryan.”

I hold out my hand. “Hey Clara. Ryan,” I greet, dipping my chin.

Clara gives Hope what she must consider a sneaky wink. “So nice to meet you, Ben. Evan’s quite smitten with you.”

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