“Me.” I laugh, an odd giddiness taking over.
Ari’s eyes snap over to mine. “Really?” She looks back to her son, then to me. “You're together. A couple?” I nod, still grinning. She lets out a screech of happiness, pulling me back into a hug. “Oh, praise the lord. I’ve been dreaming of this day for years.”
“Mom,” Bishop groans, closing his eyes as he places his hand over his face. “Stop it.”
“Ah, come on, son. Let your mom be happy. We’ve had to watch you pine after this one for years.”
Bishop’s cheeks heat. “I have not.”
Romeo chuckles. “Really? I think I remember you coming home pissed off one time in high school, grumbling something about how you wanted to kick the asses of every boy in school because they were talking about how cute Lilly was.”
My eyes widen. “You did?”
Bishop glares at his father before turning to look at me. “No.”
“Oh, yes, he did,” Ari confirms with a laugh. “He’s never outright admitted he was smitten with you. But I have eyes. I saw the way he looked at you.”
I step over to Bishop, who looks very embarrassed right now. “Aww. You liked me? You really liked me?” I tease. But I know he did. And I feel bad that he’s had to sit back and watch.
“Maybe,” he huffs, crossing his arms. He looks grumpy, but as soon as I place my hands on his biceps and press up onto my tiptoes to kiss his cheek, his body relaxes.
He opens his arms and pulls me into them.
“Well, I’m yours now,” I murmur up at him.
“Damn right, you are,” he growls and kisses me hard right in front of his family.
There are a few claps and whistles. Breaking the kiss with a laugh, I bury my face into Bishop’s chest.
“Hungry?” Bishop asks, kissing my forehead. Ugh, this man. This man knows how to make me feel loved and cared for.
“For your dad’s steak? Always.”
An hour later, we’re all sitting around the fire pit. I’m on Bishop’s lap, snuggled into him as his uncle plays the guitar.
I’ve had a lot of fun tonight. And I don’t mind having to split my time with Bishop. Watching him laugh and joke around with his dad made me happy. And I enjoyed hanging out with his mom.
I didn’t miss the way Bella kept glaring at me most of the night. I’m not sure what her issue with me is, but I don’t like it. I’ve done nothing to her.
Every time I catch her looking at me, I just smile back. I don’t have time for mean girls and drama. Never have, never will. And I wasn’t going to let her ruin the night.
“I’m so happy you two are together,” Ari gushes, grinning wide as she looks over at Bishop and me.
I smile up at her son; he smiles back. “Yeah, me too. I’m pretty fond of him. I think I’ll keep him.”
He chuckles, nipping the tip of my nose. “As if you had any choice in the matter.”
“Caveman.” I roll my eyes, but my belly flutters.
“So, how long until there’s a ring on her finger?” Ari asks.
Bishop, who just took a swig of beer, nearly chokes on it. I can’t help but giggle at the horrified look on his face.
“I’m sorry.” He coughs a few times. “A what?”
“Ring,” Ari huffs. “When are you going to make an honest woman out of her?”
“Mom!” he hisses. “We’ve been dating for like a week. Would you relax? You're going to scare her away.”