I laugh. “Okay, um… Where do Brian and Megan live?”
“Shit,” Oliver hisses. “Texas, right?”
“Yes, but do you know where in Texas?”
“Austin?”
“No, try again.”
He sighs. “Shit, is it Dallas?”
“Close enough,” I smile again. “It’s Plano. But Plano and Dallas are really close.”
Oliver groans. “Where the hell did I get Austin?”
“Probably because my cousin’s name is Austin,” I reply. “He’s Taylor’s brother.”
“Ugh, that’s right. Dammit.”
“Oliver, you’re doing amazing,” I insist. “No one is going to expect you to have memorized the family tree.”
“Yeah, but I want to come across as invested,” Oliver says.
“Careful not to sound too invested,” I warn. “They’ll think you’re going to propose.”
Oliver barks a strange laugh. “That would be terribly irresponsible! We at least need to finish our bachelor's degrees first.”
I snicker. “Exactly.”
A moment later, Oliver clicks his tongue. “Ooh, I meant to ask before, but who is your favorite nibling?”
I toss him a weird look. “Nibling?”
“Yeah, it’s the gender-neutral term for niece or nephew. Come on, Jude, keep up!”
I snort, then consider the question. “I don’t think I’m supposed to have a favorite.”
“I know, but everyone does.”
Grinning, I go with my gut. “It’s probably Liam, but it’s been a whole year since I’ve seen him, so I don’t know if he’s become more like my brother by now.”
“Liam Cohen, the youngest of your brother Brian and his wife Megan’s two kids, who lives in Plano, Texas.”
“You’re insane.”
“But am I right?”
I glance his way to see him waiting expectantly for praise. He’s so fucking cute that it makes me want to scream. “You are.”
He pumps his fist again. “Let’s fucking go!”
My parents are going to be impressed by his dedication, that’s for sure. They’ll think his hair is too long and might find him a bit too outspoken, depending on how conversations go, but overall, I think this is going to work. We’re a believable couple.
In fact, I’ll be extra believable as a doting girlfriend today because Oliver’s version of dressing up for my family is apparently my kryptonite. Slim-fitting dark navy jeans that accentuate his long, slender legs. A soft, burnt orange sweater I’m itching to touch. Matching penny loafers and argyle socks. And finally, his beautiful golden waves are styled half-up, half-down, with a few loose strands framing his face. I want to hug whoever picked out this outfit and styled him today, but also…fuck.I’m in trouble.
As soon as I turn into the subdivision, my pulse quickens. Two rights and a left turn later, I slow to a stop and park on the curb in front of my parents’ house. “Here we are.”
“Holy shit,” Oliver says. “You didn’t mention you were rich.”
