Page 38 of Papers Don't Lie

A wedding is the last thing on my mind now, but as long as it’s not a problem for her, making Dad happy wouldn’t hurt any of us. He deserves this.

“Are you ready? They’re waiting for us.”

She nods her head, checking her outfit for the hundredth time today. Because I can’t help it, I step further into the room and remove my hands from the pocket of my suit, stopping a few inches behind her. Our gazes collide in the mirror, and she releases a sigh.

“What are you worried about?” I ask.

Esmeray huffs. “I’m worried about them not liking me. Is this lipstick too much? Is the dress too short? Is the bow childish? Ugh, I’m not ready, Kai.”

I smile, not able to contain it. She’s adorable all flustered, struggling to be perfect for my family and dying for them to love her. They will love her, that I know, but I can’t prove it until she meets them so she’ll see she’s was stressing over nothing.

“You look beautiful, Ray, and it’s not the dress, the lipstick, or the bow. It’s you.”

She gulps, holding eye contact before she turns back to me, inhaling deeply. Esmeray raises her chin up, ready to go to war. “Thank you. Continue talking to me that way, and I’ll actually think you like me,Mr. Graves.”

I place my hand on the small of her back, laughing. “Tell me what you think after you see the surprise I have for you,” I say, opening the door to my bedroom—well, hers—and encouraging her to walk downstairs.

Her back straightens when she takes the first step. “I’m excited, but all I can think about now is how bad the decision to pick heels was when my knees are shaking like crazy and I might just fall in front of your family and embarrass myself,” she says with an exhale, and I steady my hold on her before she continues. “That’d be a great first impression,” she murmurs.

“What are you worried about? You won Dad over in a few seconds,” I tell her and glance at my family, who’s seated at the table next to the large windows.

“He’s old!” she hisses but then puts on a smile. “I’m good at leading old people by the nose, but… people under thirty are not my kind of bread.”

I can’t help but laugh, forcing everyone’s attention on us even more if that’s possible. Kiaran punches Tristan, whispering something and pointing in our direction, while Ryker’s absent as always. Dad’s smiling so hard I’m afraid he’s going to split his cheeks in two, and Lacey is already running towards us.

“They’re going to love you. Now remember to not back away when I’m going to be affectionate.”

She nods and lets go of my arms when Lacey jumps in my arms.

“Kai-Kai, I missed you.” She nudges herself into me, and I hug her tightly, kissing the top of her head.

“Little peanut,” I tell her, dramatically placing a hand on top of my chest while I gaze her down.

“Yes?” She breaks away slightly, glancing at me.

“Is it my imagination, or are you taller?”

She clasps her hands together, a huge smile growing on her beautiful face. “I was waiting for you to notice. And yes, I’ve grown almost one inch since you last saw me!”

“She means one centimeter,” Tristan says, laughing at our sister.

I mess up her hair a little, even though I know she hates it. Lacey grumbles something, then side-glances at Esmeray, who struggles to keep a steady smile on her face.

“Little peanut, this is my wife, Esmeray,” I say, gesturing with my hands and side-hugging her. “Ray, this is Lacey, my sister.”

“Lacey, leave them alone. There are others waiting in the line,” Kiaran shouts, and I shake my head with a laugh.

The girls shake their hands, and we go to occupy our seats at the table, Esmeray’s being right next to mine. Lacey eyes her thewhole time as if she’s an intruder, but she’ll get used to it. I take Esmeray’s hand in mine and put it between our empty plates.

“You little fucker,” Tristan murmurs, squinting his eyes at me.

“Language!” Lacey intervenes, covering her ears.

“Tristan.” Dad raises his brows at him, but he ignores our father.

“How did you keep her away from us? And wife? What did she do to convince you?” he asks, looking straight into my eyes. When I struggle to come up with words, an idea pops into his stupid head. “No way.” His lips quiver, and all of us frown at him.

“What?” Kiaran asks.

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