Page 61 of Heartfelt Goals

“Salut, Alain…”Dustin replied back easily. They were all picking up phrases here and there, trying to learn, so they could fit in. It was the little things that were making them feel a little more comfortable as they went. They talked, deciphered menus, talked about road signs, and other things, but it was the level of comfort that was beginning to change within all of them as a family.

As they climbed into the car, Laurel cringed slightly as Kendall’s plate teetered in her hands, the bright swirl of frosting on the cupcake wobbling dangerously. Before she could react, Dustin’s arm shot back with effortless precision, steadying the plate with an ease that sent a jolt through her chest.

Laurel caught her breath, her gaze snapping to his. His eyes met hers, darkening subtly, an almost imperceptible shift that sent heat curling through her stomach. That simple movement—so instinctive, so unconscious—was a pure, unfiltereddad-move.It was the kind of thing that belonged in a book, a quiet moment that spoke volumes about the man who made it.

Her fingers twitched against her lap, the pull toward him almost unbearable. She wanted to kiss him. Wanted to lean forward, bridge the few inches separating them, and press her lips against his. But she wouldn’t.I am not going to make the next move,she vowed stubbornly, though her resolve weakened the instant she saw his eyes flicker to her mouth.

“Kendall,” Dustin said, his voice husky, rough around the edges. “You got your plate?”

“Yes, grumpy,” Kendall grumbled, her attention already back on her treat.

“Good.” His voice softened as he let go of the plate, but instead of retreating, he moved in. His arm stretched past Laurel, the warmth of his body brushing against hers as he reached for her seatbelt. The scent of him—clean, masculine, laced with a hint of something deeper, something uniquelyDustin—wrapped around her like a vice.

The buckle clicked into place, but he didn’t move away. Instead, his breath skimmed over her lips, so close she could almost taste the words he hadn’t spoken.

“Gotta keep you safe,” he murmured, and her heart stumbled in response.

Laurel swallowed hard, gripping the fabric of her Wolverine’s jersey to keep herself from reaching for him.

“Y’all seriously are making me nauseous,” Kendall muttered from the back seat, oblivious to the tension crackling in the front.

Dustin grinned but didn’t break eye contact with Laurel. “Good. I’ll take that cupcake then.”

“Nuh-uh…” Kendall mumbled through a mouthful of frosting.

Laurel let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and forced herself to look away. “Let’s go home,” she said softly,and Dustin’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, nodding once before turning the key in the ignition.

The drive was quiet, almost unnervingly so. No teasing banter from Kendall, no offhanded remarks from Dustin. Just the hum of the engine, the occasional flick of the turn signal, and the weight of something unspoken pressing into the silence.

Even in the elevator, that same tension lingered. It was thick, charged, like a storm on the horizon. The kind of feeling that made your skin prickle, made your heart race even when you didn’t understand why.

By the time they reached the condo, Kendall was visibly dragging, her exhaustion finally catching up to her. As Laurel unlocked the door, Dustin’s hand found the small of her back, his touch gentle yet undeniably firm as he guided her inside.

“You want some tea?” he asked, his voice quieter now, almost intimate.

“Love some,” she whispered back, watching as Kendall yawned. “Why don’t you head up and get some rest? Maybe we’ll sleep in tomorrow and figure out something to do that’s relaxing.”

“Yeah…” Kendall agreed sleepily, rubbing at her eyes. “Good night, y’all.”

“Good night,” Dustin said, while Laurel added, “Sweet dreams.”

They waited until Kendall’s door clicked shut before Laurel turned, catching the flicker of surprise on Dustin’s face.

“You think she’s okay?” he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

“I do,” Laurel reassured him. “I think she’s just tired.”

Dustin exhaled, shaking his head with a soft chuckle. “You know, I’ll never figure her out. Just when I think I understand that kid, she flips the script on me.”

“She’s incredibly smart and?—”

“I’m not arguing,” he interrupted quickly, lifting his hands in surrender. “Iagreewith you. But every time I start to think I’ve got a handle on this whole… weird, mixed-up, stepdad-but-not-a-stepdad-brother-in-law dynamic, she throws me a curveball.”

Laurel laughed, nodding. “I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes, I feel like her mom, but then I remind myself—I’m just her sister.Fourteen years older, sure, but still. She has a way of making me feel ancient.”

“She has a way of slicing me to ribbons with her mouth.”

“Right?” Laurel said immediately, and Dustin chuckled, shaking his head as he lifted the kettle off the burner, steam curling into the air. He poured the water into two mugs, the quiet between them settling into something warmer, something easier.

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