Page 107 of Find Me in California

JULIA

Julia is waiting on the porch steps when Matt’s cab pulls up to her house. She’s on her feet and striding toward him before he’s fully out of the car. When he sees her, he drops his bag and catches her up in his arms.

“I’ve missed you,” he says into the crook of her neck. The rumble of his voice and the scent of him send a burst of excitement through her.

“Me too.” She squeezes him tight, and he sets her back on her feet. His hands cradle her face, and he kisses her. Her fingers dive into his hair. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Mmm.” He groans into her mouth.

“’Bout time you got your ass back here.”

He chuckles and kisses her lips, her cheekbones, her jawline. Julia’s breath comes in short gasps, and she squirms in his arms. “We should go inside or Mrs. Marston across the street will get an eyeful,” she says between kisses. “Besides, my family wants to meet you.”

Matt stops. He lifts his head and stares at her, his eyes bouncing between hers. “You want me to meet your parents?”

“And my brothers. They’re kind of part of the deal.”

“Wow,” Matt mouths. “You sure?”

She nods, and then she’s smiling. It’s something she never thought she’d be able to say. “Yeah, I’m sure. They’ve invited us for dinner if we’re free.”

“Are we free?”

She trails a finger down his abs. “That depends on what happens next.”

He grabs her hand, his eyes flashing with heat. “One condition.”

“Oh?”

“You have lunch with me and my grandfather tomorrow.”

Julia’s grin broadens. “I’d love to.”

“Then dinner with your parents it is.” He pushes out a rough breath. “I’ve never had a girl bring me home to her parents.”

“Nervous?”

He thinks about it for a moment. “Nah. They’re gonna love me.”

Julia barks a laugh. Lea and Chris won’t be the only ones. She’s already fallen hard for him.

She hugs him again because she can’t help herself. They sway side to side, holding on to the moment and to each other.

“I have something for you,” he whispers against her ear.

“You do?”

He picks up his bag, and she grabs his hand, leads him to the porch, where they sit on the steps.

“What is it?” She watches curiously as he unzips his bag.

“Letters.” He hands her a stack of them. Julia slowly flips through them, realizing what she’s looking at.

“She wrote to your grandmother for years. They’re unopened,” she says as she lifts one up, deeply moved.

“You mentioned you wished your grandmother had written you a letter. These aren’t written to you, but they belong to you.”

“They belong to you too.” She slides the envelope back into the stack. “We’ll read them together.” The way she says it, he knows the matter is settled.

---