Page 7 of Pumpkins & Promises
"The best lies are built on truth," he says simply.
Before I can figure out how to respond to that, my phone buzzes with a text from Mom:Dinner's ready in twenty minutes. Are you bringing your friend?
"Showtime," I say, gathering my things. "Ready to meet the family?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
We walk to my car and drive the few miles out to the farmhouse together. I try to ignore how natural it feels when Wesley takes my hand as we approach the front door.
"Remember," I whisper, "this week, we're taking it slow, and you think I'm genuine and thoughtful and make great donuts."
"And you think I'm a good listener who's different from your usual type," he whispers back.
"Right." I take a deep breath and open the front door, calling out, "We're here!"
Mom appears from the kitchen wearing her best hostess smile and the apron Dylan got her last Mother's Day.
"Emily! Perfect timing, I was just—" She stops mid-sentence when she sees Wesley, and her smile shifts into something brighter and more curious. "Oh! And you must be..."
"Mom, this is Wesley. Wesley, my mom, Margaret Holloway."
"Mrs. Holloway, it's a pleasure to meet you." Wesley extends his hand with easy confidence. "Thank you for including me in your family dinner."
"Oh, nonsense, any friend of Emily's is welcome." Mom shakes his hand and gives me a look that clearly says 'we'll be talking about this later.' "I'm so glad Emily decided to bring you."
"We haven't been seeing each other very long," I say, which is technically true.
"Well, I'm delighted you decided to bring him." Mom beams at Wesley. "I hope you're hungry. I made my famous pot roast."
"It smells incredible," Wesley says, and I have to admit he sounds genuinely enthusiastic.
We follow Mom into the kitchen, where Dylan is leaning against the counter with a glass of tea in his hand and Sienna is tossing a salad at the island. They both look up when we enter, and I can practically see Dylan's protective instincts kick into high gear.
"Dylan, Sienna, this is Wesley Thorne. Wesley, my brother Dylan and his girlfriend Sienna."
"The writer," Dylan says, and there's something in his tone that suggests he's connecting dots.
"Among other things," Wesley replies easily. "You must be the twin Emily mentioned. She said you run Highland Hollow together."
"That's right." Dylan's handshake looks a little more firm than necessary. "How are you finding the cabin?"
"It's perfect. Exactly what I needed." Wesley glances at me. "Though I have to admit, the best part about staying there has been getting to know Emily."
"And now you're dating my sister." Dylan's voice is carefully neutral.
"Now I'm dating your sister," Wesley agrees, and his hand finds mine again. "Lucky coincidence."
I catch the slight emphasis and have to suppress a smile. Wesley's definitely playing up the smitten boyfriend angle, andit's working. Mom is practically glowing, and even Sienna looks charmed.
"How did you two meet?" Sienna asks, setting down her salad tongs.
"At the cabin," I say, at the same time Wesley says, "Sweater retrieval."
We look at each other and laugh.
"I went up to get some things I'd left there," I explain. "Found Wesley already moved in. We had a bit of a territorial dispute."
"I called her a trespasser," Wesley adds with a grin. "I thought she was staging some kind of meet-cute."
