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“Wow,” she said. “You never told me that.”
“I don’t see most of them that often.” His jaw went tight as he said it, and she sensed there must’ve been some tension there she didn’t know about just yet.
She reached across the car, taking his hand as they pulled up to the cabins. “It’s going to be okay. I’m excited to meet everyone. It just means I’ll get to know you even more.”
“Yeah,” he agreed, though his voice was distant. When the car came to a stop, she looked around at the full driveway, loaded with luxury vehicles. Several men stood around talking and laughing while their wives wrangled kids and sipped on glasses of wine despite it being barely three o’clock.
“Asher!” one man called, and all heads turned their direction.
“Hey, everyone!”
“And this must be the lovely Blythe.” The oldest of the bunch took her hand, kissing it lightly and then patting where his lips had been with his free hand. “Archibald Grace, Asher’s great-uncle.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.
His eyes lit up, his face as animated as a kid at Christmas. “And listen to that Southern twang.” He giggled along with the others.
“Easy, Archie,” Asher warned, his voice a low growl. Blythe squeezed his arm.
“It’s all right,” she assured him. “Honestly, I’m used to it. Besides, y’all sound strange to me, too, so we’re even.”
Archie looked positively giddy as she spoke. “Your mother is absolutely thrilled about her, Ash. I can certainly see why.”
Asher wrapped a proud arm around her shoulders. “She may be the one thing I do right by my parents,” he said, and the others laughed, though Blythe couldn’t help blushing at his comment. “Anyway, we’re going to go settle in.”
“Sounds good. You’d better call dibs on your room. I think a few of them are already full,” a younger man she hadn’t been introduced to yet said.
“Sounds good, Eric. Good to see you, man.”
“Likewise,” he called, waving a casual hand over his head as Asher threw their bags over his shoulder and turned to lead her toward the cabin.
“You weren’t kidding about the big family,” she said once they were out of earshot.
“You haven’t met half of them yet,” he whispered in her ear. When they reached the door, he let go of her shoulders, turning the knob and pushing it open to let her through. “Ladies first.”
She stepped into the cabin, taking a look around. It hadn’t been so long since she’d been there last, but this time the home looked incredibly different. The living room was filled with suitcases and bags, scattered shoes, scarves, coats, and purses.
“Excuse the mess,” he told her. “I told you it would be crowded.”
“I see that. Where is everyone?” she asked.
“Anyone home?” he called loudly, his voice echoing through the quiet house. “Most of them are probably out back or they’ve run to town for a bit. We’d better get these bags in our room before someone claims it.”
“Well, I certainly hope they weren’t napping,” she teased, turning to head up the stairs. When the top floor came into view, she took a step back, convinced she must be seeing things. She clutched her chest, her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth like glue as she opened her mouth. She couldn’t form words to describe what she was seeing. There wasno wayit could be real. No wayhecould be real.
“Finn?” Asher cried, quickly bounding up the stairs past her with his hand held out. He pulled Finn into a hug, patting his back. “Holy shit, man, where have you been?” Finn looked equally shocked to see her. His dumbstruck expression in no way matched the joy on Asher’s face. “I can’t believe you’re here. Dad didn’t tell me you were coming!”
“Yeah,” Finn said halfheartedly. “I’ve been staying here for a while.” His gaze briefly made it to Asher before trailing back to Blythe.
“Sorry,” Asher said, zipping down two steps to grab Blythe’s hand and pull her up the rest of the way. “Finn, this is my girl, Blythe. Blythe, this is my best friend.”
Blythe remained frozen, though now at the top of the stairs. “H-hi,” she said, unsure of what to say. How to explain this messed up situation.
“Hi,” Finn said. “I should’ve known when you said Asher…of course, of all the Ashers in New York City, it’d be this one.”
“What are the chances?” she asked, her gaze locked with his as she tried desperately to comprehend the situation.
“Well, we never did have much luck.”
