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“You’ve sung with Reba, Rascal Flatts, and Blake Shelton. Hell, you even did a collab with Taylor Swift.”
She whips her head around to stare at me. Her pupils are dilated in excitement. “You pay attention, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Well, that all may be the case, and trust me when I say they’re all fantastic, but this is Leo Nash, and even though I met him at your sister’s wedding last year, I don’t remember a word he said to me because my own voice kept screaming in my head, THIS IS LEO NASH!”
“You’re cute.” I lean over and kiss her cheek, then get out of the Bronco and walk around to open her door, where she’s simply staring at the house, slack-jawed. “Are you coming inside, or are you planning to sit out here and stare at the house?”
“I’m coming.” She takes my hand and hops out of the car. “Maybe I should have dressed up a little.”
I take in her denim shorts and the yellow top that shows off her belly and ties between her breasts. She looks young, fresh, and classy-casual.
“There’s nothing at all wrong with your outfit, babe.”
I don’t bother to knock as I push the door open, and we walk inside. The crowd will be out back, where there’s an outdoor kitchen and dining area set up, along with tables and chairs, lawn games, you name it.
All while we take in the incredible view of Puget Sound.
“I hear them,” I tell Sidney and smile down at her. She has a death grip on my hand. “I never pegged you as being shy.”
“I’m not shy,” she hisses. “I’m scared.”
I stop short before anyone in the family sees us and pull her into a small bathroom before closing the door.
“Hold up.” Sid’s back is pressed to the closed door, and I cage her in with my arms. “Why in the hell are you scared? You’re one of the most confident, outgoing women I know.”
“A few reasons,” she admits and takes a long, deep breath. “First, this is Leo’s house. Second, I outed our relationship to your family a few days ago, and now I’m sure they all know.”
“You said you wanted it that way.”
“Of course, I want it that way.” She frowns up at me. “But now they know.”
“You’re as confusing as you are beautiful.”
“I don’t want you to feel awkward with your family.”
“Impossible. Now that we have that cleared up, what else are you afraid of?”
She takes a minute, licks her lips, and then says, “I think that’s it.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about.” I kiss her lightly at first, and then I sink in while framing her face in my hands. When I pull back, all the worry is gone from her face, and her blue eyes shine with lust. “That’s as far as we’re going in here.”
“Then you shouldn’t have gotten me all worked up.” She pushes at my chest, and I back up with a grin. “Come on, let’s go rip off the bandage.”
“You’ve met everyone here,” I remind her. “And if you feel uncomfortable at all, which I can’t imagine because this is my family we’re talking about, and they adopt everyone, come find me and hold my hand. I’m not going anywhere.”
Her shoulders drop in relief. “Thanks. Really. Okay, I’m ready.”
I poke my head out of the bathroom to make sure no one’s lurking about to witness us coming out of here. But there’s no one around, and I can still hear the others in the back.
“Let’s go.” I take her hand in mine and lead her through the house, into the kitchen, where several of the moms are filling platters and talking up a storm.
“Hey, Mom, aunts.” Mom’s eyes brighten with interest when she sees that I’m holding Sidney’s hand. “I hope you made lots of food because I’m starving.”
“Your uncle Will and Ike are here,” my aunt Meg says as she wipes her hands on a towel and crosses over to hug me. “They can eat a third-world country out of house and home. Trust me, we have plenty.”
“Stella and Gray are out back,” Aunt Jules says with a wink. “Along with everyone else.”
“We put up a volleyball net,” Aunt Sam puts in. “I think there’s going to be a tournament.”
“I’d better go check it out.”
“How are you, Sidney?” Mom asks.
“Oh, I’m doing very well. Thanks for asking. And thanks for inviting me today. There’s never a dull moment at a Montgomery party.”
“You catch on fast,” my aunt Brynna says with a laugh. “Have fun, you two.”
“Oh, they’re gorgeous together,” I hear Aunt Jules say as we walk out the door, and I choose not to acknowledge the comment.
Sidney tightens her grip on my hand and lets out a little giggle.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Oh, for sure. But let’s be honest, we are gorgeous together.” She winks up at me and then waves at her brother as he and Stella see us. “Hi, guys!”
