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“I do! My mom used to make all sorts of Hakka dishes but hasn’t in forever. I thought I’d never get a chance to taste them again.”
The pleasure on Millie’s face made me glow with pride at Bubbie’s thoughtfulness. Seeing that the attention was no longer on the two of us, I let myself enjoy the look of happiness pour over my mate’s face. That was the look I hoped to keep on her face for the rest of her life. My wolf nodded his head, telling me to claim her and make her my mate right now, but at the thought of ‘rest of her life,’ I had a worrying thought. I was ready to call her my own, but Bruno felt the same way toward her as well. In order to win her over, I’d have to do more than just proclaim my love to her.Wait! Am I in love?The thought made my heart soar, but it was too early to tell. We didn’t know anything about each other.
That’s when I heard a chuckle to my right. Turning to look at my brothers, I saw them looking at me with a knowing look in their eyes, smirks on their faces.
Luc leaned over and said quietly, “You’re done for. Good luck with Bruno.”
I grunted, which made Millie jump. Immediately, I turned to see if she was okay, only to find she had a trickle of soup running down her chin. Taking my napkin, I wiped the dribble away before it dripped onto her dress.
“Thanks,” she said, and a warm blush grew across her cheeks.
“So done!” Brandon cried, slapping the table. The whole family joined in laughing.
Looking slightly confused, Millie went back to eating her soup, and I realized she was already on her second bowl. I tried my hardest to stop smiling, but I couldn’t help it. Millie was mine, all mine. I was the one who was going to win her heart, and to do that, I needed a plan.
Millie
I hadno idea what happened at dinner, aside from the fact I had a full belly of the most delicious food and that my heart was also just as full because I was sitting next to Jacob.
We didn’t say much to each other as the family peppered me with questions, but his close proximity was comforting. I felt safe, and for once, I felt like I fit within a family. It felt right to be sitting here at the dinner table, surrounded by everyone present. I’d felt loved, if that was even possible on meeting strangers.
“Earth to Millie. Hello?” came a familiar voice.
The warm hand that settled on my back brought me back to the present, and I saw Becca, Jill, and Sandy staring at me with knowing smiles on their faces as we stood gathered in the kitchen of my room.
“Everyone loved you,” Becca said.
I blushed. “Everyone was so nice I thought it was all a dream. I don’t know why you were so worried, Becca.”
“I apparently had nothing to worry about, because you’ve been invited back whenever you want.”
“Really?” I said.
“Yes, you’re welcome anytime,” Jill said. “And I hope you take them up on that offer. I, for one, would love to see you more.”
“Me second!” Becca said.
I laughed. “Yes, I think that won’t be a problem. Though, I do have to go back to Crystal Lake every once in a while. The sale of the paintings went so well that Dad has made a bunch more in the last week, so Mom is sending them over to sell. I think she’s finally realizing I’m making Crystal Lake my home, and I might as well be useful to them here.”
“I’m game for anything that will keep you close by,” Becca said, giving me a side hug.
“On a different note,” Sandy said, “what did you think of Jacob?”
“Huh?” The change in subject took me by surprise, and any mention of Jacob made me turn bright red. I couldn’t help it, any mention of him did something to me that I didn’t understand. I’d never felt this way about any guy before. Where was Lira when I needed her?
She always walked me through my boy crushes or worries and was instrumental in getting me on my first dates . . . until I messed everything up. I’d always clammed up when I was alone with my crush, and they would end up losing interest, fast. The fact that I’d been able to talk to Jacob through dinner was new for me, but I wasn’t holding my breath that he would continue to show interest in me.
“What did you think of Jacob?” Sandy repeated, shocking me out of my thoughts with the realization I still hadn’t responded.
“Oh, yes, he’s very nice.” Now my neck was getting warm. I was in so much trouble.
“Just nice?” Sandy prompted.
“Sandy, leave her alone. It’s her first night here,” Jill said.
“I need to go to the restroom,” I said, beelining to the safety of the restroom as fast as my feet could carry me.
Inside, I turned on the faucet and splashed some water on my face. The coldness shocked me back to my senses. What was happening to me? I’d met the guy twice, and not once had we been alone. How did he have such a strong hold on me?
