Page 48

“And in a week, you’ll be my husband,” she adds, smirking. “The playboy Nickolas Hardy—married. This is going to be a media bomb.”

I chuckle as I get out of the car and round it to open her door like always.

“Married to the love of his life,” I murmur, grabbing her hand. I entwine our fingers and help her out of the car. Then we turn to face the house. “Let the show begin.”

Inside, the house buzzes with quiet energy.

Ethan and Zayn are deep into a poker game in the living room, cards scattered across the table between bursts of laughter.

In the corner, our moms are on the couch, watching a fashion show, commenting on dresses and makeup with wide eyes and smiles.

The dads are in the kitchen, their voices carrying over the clinking of dishes and sizzling pans as they prepare lunch.

Chris, Noah, Kai and Liam are at the dining table, animatedly discussing a new business deal Hartho is about to close.

As we step into the hallway, still holding hands, heads begin to turn toward us.

“Our favorite couple's here,” Ryan shouts from across the room, grinning.

I smile and squeeze Sierra’s hand. Everyone turns to look at us, and we wait for their reactions.

“Are you acting like a couple because there were paparazzi outside or…?” my dad asks, scanning our faces.

“No, we’re not acting like a couple,” Ser says, letting go of my hand.

I turn my head to look at her, confused, but I barely have time to see her face before she hugs me from the side and kisses my jaw.

“We’re a couple,” she says, looking straight at them. “I don’t know if I’m clear, so I’ll explain it a little better. We’re kissing for real, sleeping in the same bed for real, having se…” I put my hand over her mouth to stop her.

“Jesus, Ser,” I say, shocked.

“Sierra,” Liam groans and glares at me. I mouth back at him “Why are you mad at me now?”

“For the love of God. You promised. We made a pact, Sierra,” Zayn says, raising a glass with what I can only assume is whiskey to his mouth and downing it in one go.

I don’t dare look toward the kitchen—where I know Matthew is. He’s practically a father to me and this insane conversation is about me having sex with his daughter.

“So, we’re going to have grandchildren soon?” Maya asks, smirking mischievously like she’s in on a conspiracy.

“No. I’m on birth control,” Sierra answers from my side, not even bothering to look a little embarrassed.

“Jesus.” My face shifts, and I stare down at her. “Who are you?”

She laughs, her fingers drifting through my hair. “You didn’t think I’m this naive little girl who’s ashamed to talk about sex in front of her parents, right?”

I glance toward Liam again, the shock evident on my face I’m sure, and I see all my siblings laughing along with our moms.

“I can’t have this conversation here. It’s your sister, man, you control her.” I point at him.

“Me? You’re the one who’s… Fuck. No, I can’t finish this sentence.” Liam visibly shudders.

“…sleeping with her,” my mom finishes it for him. “Good. Because we really want grandchildren to spoil and take on vacations with us.”

“What the fuck?” I shout. “I’m not talking about my sex life. I don’t know in what parallel universe we are right now, but I want us to go back to the real one. You know, the one where you ask me about my relationship and I tell you everything’s perfect and I’m in love and happy, but that’s it.”

Sierra gasps beside me, and I shift to look at her, one eyebrow raised.

“Oh, now you’re flustered? Because I said I’m in love with you? But you weren’t a minute ago when you talked about having sex with me?”