Page 53 of Anchored Love
“C’mere.” I gripped her chin and wrangled her in for a kiss before we went in front of the firing squad. ‘’We’ve already been through the worst on vacation, right?”
“True. My mother already believes I paid you.”
I grinned and chuckled. “I’m worth every penny, baby.”
“We’ll see about that,” she teased, and I exited the car, hurrying to jog to the passenger side before Ev got her door open.
Fingers laced together, we strolled up the walkway. Some flowers had begun to bloom signaling spring was upon us. A new season. A new beginning as we looked to the future. The front door swung open, and Drake stared at us slack jawed.
“Hey, man. Come on in.” He recovered from his shock quickly and bumped his knuckles against mine. He stepped aside and greeted Everly with a kiss to the cheek. “Hey, Sis. Gotta say, during the whole trip I thought Mason stepped in to rescue you from another bad blind date from Mom, but I think you two make a great couple. I’m happy for you. Both of you.”
Everly clenched my hand as I answered, “Appreciate that.”
“My sister’s lucky to have you, but if you ever hurt her, I’ll kick your ass,” Drake said as a chuckle escaped.
“Noted, but no worries of that. I know what I’ve got in Everly.” I kissed her temple, and blush creeped over her cheeks.
“Who’s here?” Jane Lynn called from the kitchen.
“Mason and Everly,” Herbert answered as we made our way into the living room after removing our coats.
He shook my hand and clamped my shoulder. “Good to see you again, son.”
“Everly, you didn’t say you were bringing a friend.” Her mother poked her head out the kitchen, giving us a once-over.
“I didn’t think I’d need to tell you I was bringing my boyfriend. I assumed you’d know since we told you on the cruise.”
Jane narrowed her gaze on her daughter, lips tipped down. Her gaze darted to me then back to Everly as though she was still skeptical. “Hmm. I suppose not. Though it would have been the thoughtful thing to do.” I let out a flustered breath. Jane Lynn would take some work to win over, but being with Ev had me up to the challenge. “Well, welcome to Sunday dinner, Mason. I’m sure the two of you will fill us in on all the happy details of how you got together.” Her attention returned to the kitchen, but I knew she wasn’t letting this go easily.
I wondered if it had been that obvious that we weren’t a couple yet on the cruise. Though it didn’t matter. We were then. Everly’s family would get used to me being in the picture because I didn’t plan on going anywhere.
“I’m going to see if Mom and Kelsey need any help in there.” Everly kissed my cheek, leaving me on my own with Herbert and Drake.
“You want a beer?” Herbert offered, and I accepted. He excused himself, and Drake shot me a funny look.
“So how long have you been seeing my sister? Real talk.”
“A while. I’ve always had a thing for her, and then she started working with me. I kept bumping into her around the office, and those feelings never went away and continued to grow.”
“So she didn’t pay you to go on the cruise?”
This pissed me off, but I kept it in check. “No way. I mean, I know Ev is your sister but, dude, she isn’t the kind of woman who needs to pay someone to be her boyfriend. She’s smart, beautiful, funny, and sexy.”
“Alright. Alright, I get your point. I guess she could do worse.” He grinned. “Naw, honestly, I’m glad it’s you and not some douchebag like she’s dated in the past.” This spiked my curiosity, and I put it in the back of my head to ask her later.
“So how’s married life?” I asked as we moved to the couch and took a seat.
“Good. I’m damn happy. So since you’re with Ev and have been for as you say a while, you got any plans of making an honest woman of her? What are your intentions with my sister?”
“Damn, you just go in for the kill.” He chuckled. “She’s the one. The woman I see my future with. While it won’t be tomorrow a ring goes on that finger, it will happen.”
He nodded, and Herbert returned with my beer as the front door opened, and Jess stomped in followed by Casey.
“No. Shhh. We’ll tell everyone when we’re seated at the table,” Jess chastised her boyfriend. Casey appeared unhappy about something, but he didn’t argue further. I felt for the man.
“Whoa. What are you doing here?” Jess asked, giving me a quizzical glare.
“Having dinner with my girlfriend and her family. What about you?”
