Page 45 of What the Heart Wants (Desires of the Heart 1)

We met Dylan, Braxton, and Easton at the door. They were going out for lunch, and we decided to join each other.

Kyla and Holly both looked completely embarrassed by the time they left.

Braxton and Easton had admitted that they didn’t want to pursue Holly because she was an employee, and they never crossed that line before.

I knew it wouldn’t last long. They barely look their eyes off of her. I knew my men and I were just as bad with Kyla.

It was hard to remember that Kyla knows what she’s doing. I don’t think she would keep it a secret that she was sick. I have to learn to trust her judgement. Though it’s fucking hard. I find myself watching the cameras in the main office just so that I can keep an eye on her.

I know that her parents’ opinion means a lot to Kyla, and I sure hope that they still approve of us after dinner is over.

We pull up to their house, and I turn the engine off and turn towards my men.

“Are you all ready?” I ask.

“I don’t remember a time I have ever been so nervous before,” Grayson admits.

“We can do this,” Asher says opening the door.

Kyla opens the door before we have a chance to knock. She looks just as nervous as the rest of us.

“They are on the back patio. Dad’s grilling tonight,” she says and gives us each a kiss.

“Holly is here too. When she heard you were meeting my parents, she just had to be here,” she says rolling her eyes, but she’s smiling so I can tell that she’s not mad.

“Why’s that?” Ethan asks curiously as we head towards the kitchen.

I take in the house. It’s a decent size, and very homey. There are pictures along the walls in the hallway. You can tell that, even though Kyla was very sick, she still had a happy life. It looks like her family made the very best of her situation.

I hear a couple of voices as we enter the kitchen. A woman who looks like an older version of Kyla, but with hazel eyes, stares at us. A small smile curves on her lips.

“Well, you guys actually showed,” Holly says with a smirk.

“Of course. We needed to meet the people who brought such an amazing woman into the world,” Grayson says with a wink.

“Smooth,” Kyla says with a laugh.

“You know me, baby. I tell it like it is,” Grayson says with a grin.

“Right,” I say slowly as Kyla chuckles.

“Mom these are my men. Levi, Grayson, Asher, and Ethan. Guys, this is my mom Stella,” Kyla gestures to each of us. I watch as her mom eyes all of us slowly before speaking.

“I was worried that I would have to fake my way through this dinner, but I don’t think I have ever been prouder of my daughter than I am right now. These are some fine young men you have here, Kyla,” her mom says with a wink.

I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who is looking shocked at her mom right now because that was not what I was expecting to come out of her mouth.

“Woman, you better not be eye fucking our daughter’s boyfriends,” a deep voice says coming inside of the house carrying a tray of food.

“Well, come on Franklin. I can’t help it when men like that walk into my home,” she says sweeping her hands over us.

Kyla has her face covered with her hands. I look over at Holly who has a hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter.

“I have been known to drop a few jaws,” Grayson says winking at Kyla’s mother.

Franklin comes in to put the food down and stands directly in front of us crossing his arm over his chest.

He narrows his eyes and looks back and forth between us.

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