Page 50 of Bound Hearts

My brother’s grin grows. “No shit. Little brother finally brings home a woman.”

Shaking my head, I’m not going to make us endure more. He also brings out the worst in me—the part that doesn’t want him to slip any news of the clause to Sutton. I’m not even sure if I’m lying to her or prolonging the truth.

“Well, Dad is in the living room, and we’ve gotta go. We’re having dinner with friends.”

I pull Sutton along to walk down the steps and leave.

“That’s a shame. I would have loved to learn more,” he calls out. “See ya around.”

“Yeah, bye.” I wave in the air and don’t turn around.

When we get into my car, Sutton bursts out laughing while I start the engine. “Wow, awkward award. You mentioned that you two have an odd relationship, but that was on another level. What’s the deal?”

I look at her blankly. “He treats me like I’m a kid, has no boundaries. And it isn’t good for my father’s Zen. Patrick is… Every family has one member who is a little out there. That’s him.”

“Ah, the pariah of the family?”

“Exactly. He caused a lot of trouble when he was younger. He’s turned his life around a bit but lacks maturity on some days.”

Sutton lifts her shoulders, unbothered by the dynamic. “It can happen. Your dad is lovely. I see parts of him in you. And everything about that home, as soon as you walk in, you feel that it isn’t just a house. He was right that the family lives there.”

“It’s the only place I grew up. Haven’t been upstairs in a long time, but other than changing the bed, I’m positive that all of the models my dad and I made are still up there.”

“That’s sweet.”

We both shift on our seats to face one another. “So… that’s done. Your parents?”

“Not a worry. We’re a repeat of them,” she says breezily.

“I should still probably talk to your dad and ask for your hand in marriage.”

“He’ll laugh, but by all means.” Her tongue clicks, and I can see other thoughts are hitting her. “Maybe it’s pregnancy emotions or I’m caught up in the moment, but after that visit just now, it has me thinking. I should start moving things into your house, even though I can’t end my lease for another six months. Marriage, preparing for the baby, all of that. I’m ready to make that move sooner rather than later.”

Inside me, elation blooms. This is good news. I like it when she’s at my place, as she lives there. She’s comfortable and has already made herself at home. More importantly, our future is everything about us.

I interlace our fingers, my thumb stroking hers. “Speeding up our timeline is the right mindset to have. I want you to live with me sooner rather than later too. Everything is changing fast, but close proximity will make it easier.”

“I’m aware.”

“We keep having front-seat conversations.”

She cracks a grin. “We do, don’t we?”

Her sigh is heavy. “How long do we keep holding off on telling our friends? I’m not sure I can do it much longer. I mean, do we also get married, then voila, drop it all at once on them?”

Chuckling, the thought has crossed my mind a few times, as well. “That’s an option. But don’t you want some type of wedding?”

“I’m not a huge wedding person. I’ll happily attend one to enjoy the food. The courthouse, small, easy, that’s more me anyway.” She tugs my hand. “Plus, if we are going to do this shotgun wedding, then we might as well do it right.”

“Agreed.”

“But let’s at least give our friends a heads-up. Truthfully, I’m struggling to hold this all in anymore. Both mentally and physically. My jeans are on hiatus.”

Letting her fingers go, I opt to stroke her cheek. “Still hot as hell, though.”

“For now.” I shake my head in disagreement. “Anyhow, we’re cruising the second trimester, and I’m okay if you tell the guys and I tell Elodie and Savannah.”

“Deal.”