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He shrugs like it's no big deal. Maybe in Australia it isn't? But back home, meeting someone's family is a big step. A step people who are in a relationship take. We're not in a relationship.
Yet?
Are we?
Could we be?
Do I want us to be?
The questions whizz by so fast in my mind that I can't latch on to any one of them for longer than a few seconds.
Then another question pops into my head.
"You want me to meet your two children?"
An amused grin pops up on his face. "You're under the impression they're mine, aren't ya?"
"You literally said 'my kids' several times in Sydney, so, yeah, I am under that impression."
"Does it change anything?" he asks, his jaw hardening a fraction. "If I had kids."
"No. Not really. But the math doesn't add up. Unless you had them when you were, like, twelve, or something." I reach for his arm. "Oh god. Please tell me you didn't have them when you were twelve."
Wilby erupts in laughter, and I jolt at the shock of how freaking loud it is. It gets me every single time.
"Half of Scuttlebutt probably heard that," I remark.
"And?" he says once he stops. "If a man can't laugh as loud as he wants to, what's the fucking point of existing?"
Hmm. He might have a point. "So, the kids? Are they yours or have you kidnapped them?"
He laughs again, a little more quietly this time.
"Definitely didn't kidnap 'em. They're my sister's. But she's…AWOL."
I'm about to ask him what he means but manage to catch myself in time.
Something flickers in Wilby's gray eyes. "You don't have to do that, you know?"
"Do what?"
"Stop yourself from asking me shit. Just ask, mate. You know I'm an open book."
"I know. I just…" I want to turn away, but, no, I won't. "I'm not an open book."
"I'll let you in on a little secret…" He leans closer, grinning. "I've noticed."
"But see, that's not fair. I can't expect to ask you questions and not afford you the same in return."
"Mate, life isn't fair. And I'm a big boy. Believe it or not, I know when to shut my mouth. I'm trying to be, all, sensitive and shit to your needs in case you haven't noticed."
"I've noticed."
His eyes cut to mine. I manage a smile. "And I appreciate it. I really do. Just like I appreciate your offer to meet your family."
"Strictly speaking, my offer was for you to come back to my place. Maybe stay a few nights if you like. Meeting my family is the price you'll have to pay."
"Oh. Do I need to be warned about anything?"
