Page 33 of Accidentally Forever
“You know I have been friends with your family for many years, and I still can’t keep up with who is related to who.” Crew took a few steps forward, and my heart finally eased because he was near. Or maybe I just needed a little more sleep. When he lifted my chin with just a brush of his knuckles and pressed his lips to mine, I sighed into him, wondering why I had been avoiding this for so long.
Riley squealed while Colin snapped a photo with his phone, and Gus let out a disgusted grunt.
“Stop doing that in front of me,” my brother whined.
“You’re the one who made me lie to Mom aboutcertain old school magazines you had in your room. So don’t even,” I warned.
Everybody burst out laughing as Gus flipped me off.
The man I was falling for—or maybe had already fallen for—held me tightly. “Seriously though, I’m going to need a family tree.”
I leaned into Crew’s hold, feeling right for some reason. “We’ll get you a manual. Although you probably should’ve already had it.”
“That’s right. You dated Daisy. And Lex.” Gus pointed at Crew as if he had made a huge discovery.
“You are going to want to lower that finger, son. Just saying.”
“Shiver,” Riley mock-whispered.
“Stop it,” I teased.
“Why are you shivering, baby?” Patrick asked as he walked into the back room and immediately went to Riley’s side. He pressed his lips to hers for long enough that I couldn’t help but blush even as I winked over at Crew.
“It’s an epidemic,” I teased.
“I’m just enjoying seeing Gus squirm,” Crew muttered.
“I heard that,” my brother said.
“It’s getting a little too touchy-feely for me,” Colincomplained. “I’m headed over to the café to get some coffee. You want anything?” he asked.
Crew shook his head. “I’m about to take Aria out for lunch, so not us.”
I raised a brow at Crew. “You weren’t going to ask?
“You skipped breakfast and I know you don’t snack while you’re in the darkroom. So you’re going to eat lunch,” he said so matter-of-factly, that I just shook my head as Gus whistled.
“This is going to be fun,” Riley teased.
“Good luck, man,” Patrick said with a laugh. “Dating into this family has its perks, but it is a little overwhelming.
“Good thing I’ve been dealing with Montgomerys for a while,” Crew said with a snort.
“You know Mom is going to want you to bring him for dinner,” Gus warned.
I froze, and Crew rubbed his hand on the small of my back. “I’ll be there Sunday.”
I turned to him, wide-eyed. “What?” My heart raced, and I wondered why I suddenly felt so nervous.
Crew rolled his eyes. “We haven’t been very subtle, so you know your mom already texted me and asked me to dinner. I’ve eaten at your place plenty of times. It will be fine.”
The others laughed while I just stared at him, worrysliding through. “You’ve gone as our friend. Because you know Sebastian and me. But this will be different.”
“I know. It’ll be okay, Aria. Stop worrying. For once. Just breathe.” And then he leaned down and kissed me again, as Riley sighed happily, and the others chatted along.
Crew acted as if he had all the answers while I had none. But maybe that was okay. Maybe he actually had a plan. That would be one of us, and perhaps it would help the overwhelming sense of anxiety currently crawling up my spine.
At least I hoped so.
