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“Hi, Lacey.” I bend down and kiss her cheek. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too, lovebirds.” She squeezes Maven’s shoulder and her eyes bounce between us. “Are we ready to get this party started?”
“What’s the vibe in there?” Maven asks, and her fingers tighten around mine. “Are there any weapons?”
“Just a crowbar and an ax. A shotgun, too.”
“I can handle a crowbar,” I say, and her eyes crinkle with glee.
“If you’re asking whether your father and godfather are plotting ways to knock your boyfriend off the map, the answer is no. I had a nice long talk with Shawn earlier this afternoon, and he’s going to behave himself.” Lacey looks at me, and her face hardens. “If you try and hurt Maven, I will hunt you down, though, and I’ll use something much worse than a crowbar.”
“Noted.” I pull Maven to me and drop a kiss on the top of her head. “I have no plans to go anywhere. And especially not without her.”
“Good.” Lacey brightens and waves us inside. “Let’s do it.”
I hang my jacket with hers on the rack next to the door, and I smile when I see the fuzzy socks I got her when the weather turned cold.
“Doing okay?” Maven whispers, and her finger slips into my belt loop.
“I’m better now.” I run my thumb along the inside of her wrist, and she sighs. “I’m happy I’m here with you.”
She leads me into the living room and Maggie looks up from the couch.
“There you are. It’s good to see you,” she says, and she smiles.
“Mags.” Maven hugs her, and I watch the women embrace. “How’s the hospital?”
“Busy, as always. Your father is trying to get me to retire early.” She rolls her eyes and sits back down, gesturing to the two seats next to her. “The joke is on him, though. I’m not going anywhere until they name a wing after me for all the work I do.”
“You and Lacey are the most badass women I’ve ever met.” Maven plops down and stretches out her legs. “How’s Dad?”
“Good. He’s waiting to pull the lasagna out of the oven, so he’ll be here in a minute.” She smiles up at me. “Sit down, Dallas. This isn’t an interrogation.”
“I know.” I lower myself onto the couch and perch on the edge of the cushions. I tap my foot and wring my hands together. “I’m just nervous.”
“Don’t be. Aiden was disappointed that you all hid your relationship from us, but he loves you. Shawn finally got his head out of his ass thanks to Lacey talking some sense into him. You’re going to be fine,” Maggie assures me.
“Remember when I met you for the first time?” Maven laughs. “You tried to pretend you and Dad were just friends, but it was so obvious how much you meant to him by the way he looked at you.”
“I sweated through three shirts before that dinner. You wouldn’t stop asking me questions, and I was convinced you hated me at the end of the night.” Maggie smiles and plays with the ends of Maven’s hair. “Turns out I was wrong. I couldn’t have asked for a better bonus kid.”
Footsteps echo from somewhere deeper in the apartment, and I brace myself. Aiden comes around the corner and walks toward us. His arms are behind his back and there’s a frown onhis mouth. I suck in a breath and hold it, fearful of what he’s going to say.
“Mae,” he says, and he nods to his daughter. His gaze cuts over to me. “Dallas.”
“Hey, Mr. Wood. Er, Aiden. Sir,” I say, and I stand. I tower over him but he still intimidates me. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Wish I could say the same for you.” He sighs. “And under such shitty circumstances.”
“Dad—” Maven interjects, and he holds up his hand.
“Not now, kid. What do you have to say for yourself, Dallas?”
Shit.I thought I’d have more time to prepare for this.
“I—I love your daughter. Very much. And I know this is all kind of convoluted, but it’s going to be alright,” I blurt out.
“My daughter?” Aiden asks, and his eyebrows wrinkle. “I’m talking about my fantasy football team. What areyoutalking about?”
