AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Seriously, Mom. We weren’t planning on a family reunion tonight,” Andrew grunted behind us.
This was not how this night was supposed to go. Meeting members of the twins’ family was not on my to-do list. It was bad enough I had to disappoint them. I didn’t want to get close to their family.
The twins glanced at each other, faces grim as they must have realized it was futile to argue with their mother.
“Tori, this is my sister, Alice,” Sarah said once we got to her table.
“Hello, Alice. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said, my voice tight with panic.
“You must be related to those Kingston boys. That accent of yours is very lovely,” Alice responded with a smile as Sarah directed me to sit in the chair next to hers.
“Thank you. I’m not related, but I grew up with them.”
“So, I see you’re here with my sons. How long has this been going on? How did you guys meet?” Sarah asked, the familiar mischievous twinkle I often saw in Andrew’s hazel eyes evident in hers.
“How old are you? What brings you to Cottonwood Creek?” Alice followed up, not letting me answer her sister’s questions.
“What are your intentions with my boys? Should I be searching for wedding ideas?”
“I, uh…” My head volleyed back and forth as they tossed questions at me. I knew if I touched my wrist, my pulse would beat wildly out of control. Anxiety was closing in on me, my stomach dropping. She didn’t know… she couldn’t possibly know. But the mention of weddings was never something I was comfortable with.
“Mom, enough. Can you let us get through our date first before you start with the twenty questions?” Caleb pulled me from my chair and into his arms.
“Oh my gosh, Sarah. Will you look at them? Absolutely smitten,” Alice squealed.
“I might finally get grandkids. Won’t that be so exciting?” Sarah added, her voice also higher pitched.
“Mom, you know Blake’s pregnant. Gavin is already giving you a grandkid.” Andrew shook his head.
“I know. And I’m so excited, but I want more,” she responded to Andrew before turning her attention to me. “Ooo, maybe you, Blake, Alice, and I can have a girl’s day soon. That way, we can get to know you and have a little bonding time. What do you think?”
Internally, my heart stopped, and I thought I would die on the spot. I forced a smile to my face. “That would be lovely.” I fought the tears burning behind my eyes.Every molecule in my body wanted what she suggested. I’d rather be planning my wedding and future with Caleb and Andrew, not just because we had amazing chemistry, or because they were patient when teaching me something, or even all the sweet moments we shared.
My heart thundered in my chest.
I was falling for them.
These two women were so excited I was out on a date with the twins that it tore at me. I would have loved to have grown up with a mother who wanted to see me happy and in love. Clearly, their mother had accepted our lifestyle and welcomed me and Blake with open arms. My own mother had been trying to marry me off once I became of legal age, but never once did she ask if I was happy.
Caleb’s arms tightened around me. “We’ll call you later, Mom.”
Andrew kissed both women on the cheek before Caleb released me to him and gave his own set of kisses.
My chest tightened at the kind gesture of their family. Even if they were trying to get away from what would be considered an awkward situation, the boys still showed respect and love—something my family lacked completely. My parents never showed me any love growing up. The only affection I ever received was in public, where the press could capture a touching moment. It hurt to admit, but the twins were turning out to be more and more like my dream husbands.I wanted to have a family like theirs, one who wanted to be involved in their sons’ lives and make sure they were happy.
“Well, that wasn’t how tonight was supposed to start,” Andrew whispered in my ear as we made our way to our booth in the corner. I climbed in, and Andrew followed, blocking me against the wall. Caleb sat across from us and let out a deep sigh.
“Sorry, princess. That isn’t how I expected tonight to go or how we wanted you to meet our family.”
“It’s okay. It was kind of cute. I’ve never been interrogated by a date’s mother before.” I laughed.
Andrew let out a deep breath and sagged against the cushion.
“Plus, you have the rest of the night to make it up to me.” I bumped Andrew with my shoulder and nudged Caleb with my boot, letting them know I wasn’t upset by what had happened.
The tension in Caleb’s shoulders released. It was sweet how worried he must have been about my reaction. He put his hands on the table and reached for mine. “We promise to make it up to you. We have tonight all planned out for your enjoyment.”
I was counting on it. I wanted these two to show me what I would be missing once I returned home. As much as I knew it would hurt to leave them, I’d decided it was better to have these wonderful memories than not experience them at all. I wanted this for myself. Without a shadow of a doubt, this was the happiest time of my life. And I craved every second with the two men who made me feel cherished and loved. It would be hard to experience this amazing future and then walk away, but on my darkest days, I could take out and explore each detail of our time together.
