Ethel turned to me. “Bring me some cake.”
“I don’t think—”
Rowan interrupted me by taking my hand in his. “We will bring you something tasty for sure,” he promised.
We stayed for half an hour longer, and Ethel told us the ins and outs of the brownies’ shenanigans.
On our way to the car where our suitcases were already waiting, I bumped his arm with my shoulder, bringing his attention. He had a soft smile on his face that was lit by the early morning sun. The weather was perfect for a drive.
“Thanks for coming here with me. It means a lot.” I wanted to stop by Ethel’s before the wedding trip, but time had escaped me in the past few days. I’d made sure everything was prepared for the cafe, and informed everyone that I’d be available but may not respond as quickly as usual.
“Ethel is a hoot. I adore her. I see where you get your chaos from. Thanks for letting me visit her with you.” Rowan unlocked his car with a click.
I slid into the comfy passenger seat. Even the belt wasn’t squeezing me too much. “You met my family, now it’s time for me to meet yours.” I drummed fingers on the dashboard, channeling my nervous energy. In all honesty, I was as excited as absolutely terrified of the wedding. What if I made a fool of myself? Or worse—embarrassed Rowan?
The one good thing was that his family would never see me again.
“Yes. And everyone is very curious about you.” Rowan pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the highway.
“Why? Why did you tell them?”
“Not much. Only that you’re hot.”
I gasped. “You didn’t!”
He chuckled. “No. They’ll find out by themselves soon.”
“You’re such an ass.”
“This ass just put you in charge of the music.” He touched the screen in the middle of the dashboard and pulled out a bluetooth connection.
I squeaked and linked my phone. “Road trip playlist!”
Within the first half an hour I couldn’t decide on the song so I kept jumping through them every few seconds until Rowan mumbled something about ejecting himself out of the car if I continued doing that.
Campy 2000s hits proved to be the best for belting out half-remembered lyrics.
We arrived at an elegant, mansion-looking hotel with gardens spreading around it, and a glass-ceilinged venue visible to the side.
The humid heat blasted me in the face when I stepped out of the air-conditioned car.
“Rowie!” A tall woman with flowing ginger hair on her head and short fuzz all over her uncovered skin ran out of the building. “You made it!”
“Of course I did.” Rowan caught her in a hug and lifted her off the ground until she pulled away. “I missed you.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She waved her hand. “Now introduce me to your boyfriend.”
“I’m Milo.” I offered my hand, and she shook it, squeezing it harder than I expected.
“Rowan didn’t exaggerate.”
“Raina, leave him alone.”
“What? You said he was smart.” She grinned innocently. “He’s here for my party and I want him to have fun too.” Raina turned to me and narrowed her eyes. “Have you been good to my little brother?”
I straightened my back and turned serious. “I tried my best.”
Raina clapped my shoulder. “Okay, let’s get you settled.”
