Page 41 of Unexpected Kisses

“You’re not overdoing things, are you?” I want to pull her into me and wrap her in my arms while we have this conversation, but I can’t. It’ll be too much for Sarah.

“It’s really sweet how you keep checking on me, but you need to stop worrying so much.” She chuckles. “Come in. Kenny’s already announced you’re here.” She takes a step inside then stops abruptly, spinning around to face me as I close and lock the screen door. “A quick word of warning. Please ignore anything and everything my mom may say to you. She has no filter. And I mean that. She’ll say whatever’s on her mind.”

I chuckle. “It’s okay.” I glide my fingers along Sarah’s hairline, tucking the loose strands behind her ear because I can’t resist touching her any longer. This close I see her hazel eyes have a touch of blue in them today. “I promise I don’t scare so easily.”

“Okay. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She steps back but takes my hand in hers, and I feel as though I’ve just dragged my body over the top-most edge of El Capitan.

When we turn to head further into the gorgeous home, a woman is standing just inside the open doors which lead out to what looks like an amazing deck. She has her hand pressed against her chest and she’s wearing a soft smile. She has to be Sarah’s mom, the resemblance is impossible to miss—it’s like I’m looking at my future. I smile at her as we come to a stop.

“Mom, this is AJ. The man who’s helping me. AJ, this is my mom, Sally.”

I hold out my hand to greet her, but she presses into me, wrapping me tightly in her embrace. She pulls back after a moment, holding onto my biceps as she looks at her daughter. “Oh my, he’s so handsome.” She squeezes my arms. “Fit and healthy, too.”

“Mom!” Sarah scolds as an older gentleman steps inside and gives the woman a look borne from years of marriage. Sally releases her hold on me and smiles at Sarah.

“Sally. Leave the poor boy alone.” He kisses her temple and then holds his hand out to me. “Hi. I’m John, Sarah’s dad.”

I shake his hand. “Hi, John. Nice to meet you both.”

Sarah takes hold of my hand. “Come on, everyone’s out back.”

I nod to Sarah’s parents and as my foot lands on the back deck, I hear Sally speak to John. “You should have seen how he was looking at her and stroking her face when he first arrived. There’s more going on there than Sarah’s told us.”

“Leave them be. They’ll work it out without you meddling,” John says in a firm but kind manner.

“Hmph. You spoil all my fun.” I glance over my shoulder to catch John wrapping his arms around his wife as he presses a kiss to her temple. Her arms come up around his back to hold him close as she smiles up at him. It’s beautiful to see a couple who have obviously been together for a long time still so in love. My parents aren’t demonstrative with their affection, so it’s a little foreign to me.

Sarah pulls me toward a tall guy standing next to a blonde woman. He has the same eyes as Sarah and Emma, so he must be Max, her brother. “Max. Molly. I’d like you to meet AJ.”

Max’s hard gaze traces me up and down, a look of distrust obvious by the narrowed eyes and tick in his jaw. Molly smiles at me, showing off deep dimples. She reminds me of a princess with her almost-white hair, gray eyes, and dimpled smile. She’s tall too. Only a few inches shorter than me. She holds out her hand. “Hi, AJ. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Hi. Nice to meet you too. Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thanks.”

I hold out my hand to Max and his eyes drop to it, then rise back to my face. “What type of guy offers to get a stranger pregnant with no commitment?”

Molly’s head snaps up to her husband as Sarah slaps his arm. “I can’t believe you asked him—”

I cut Sarah off with a shake of my head. “It’s okay, Sarah. It’s a fair question and I’ll share my reasons with Max in private, so we don’t spoil Kenny’s party.” I finish with a tight smile at my future brother-in-law. Lifting my hand, I hold it out to him again with a raised brow. “Nice to meet you, Max.”

He eventually relents and slides his hand against mine. We shake, both holding firm. I feel as though I can’t show any weakness with this guy. The handshake feels as though it’s never-ending, neither of us wanting to be the first to give in.

“Hi, AJ.” Lachlan breaks the tension. “You should see the climbing wall we’re building for Colton.”

Max’s head snaps to his nephew and his eyes flick between me and Lachlan with interest.

“Hi, Lachlan. Yeah, Theo said it was coming along nicely. You’ll have to show it to me.”

“Sure.” He looks at his uncle with a frown. “Why are you holding AJ’s hand?”

Max glances down, only now realizing we’re still shaking hands. He releases me abruptly, taking a step back. “We were saying hello.”

Lachlan takes my hand. “Come on, I’ll show you what we’ve done so far.”

Sarah gasps as he pulls me forward, collecting Theo on the way, and we head toward the enormous workshop at the bottom of the backyard. Theo swings the door open and switches on the light.

“It’s over there.” Lachlan points to the opposite side of the space.

---