“Of course we are,” he says, giving me a charming smile. “Think about it. Really think about it. I’d love to meet the man and woman responsible for giving me you.”
“You’re unlike any man I’ve ever met.” I know I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating.
“Good.” He hands me a cup of hot chocolate before leaning over and kissing my cheek. Comfortable silence surrounds us as we enjoy our drink. “We better start heading back. Aspen will be there soon, and I don’t want her to have to go in alone,” he says.
“Are you always this considerate?” I ask.
“I’m a gentleman.” He grins.
“I’m not worried about Aspen. She doesn’t know a stranger.”
“Good. We’re not strangers.” He reaches over and laces his fingers through mine. “Not anymore.”
I nod because I have no words. My emotions are running high, and I don’t trust myself to not say something I’ll regret later. The ride back to the house is quiet, with his hand holding mine tightly. It’s as if he knows I need the connection. I don’t know how he does it, but Grant seems to know what I need when I need it. Like today. I needed today. I didn’t realize how much I missed the company of a man. One who doesn’t belittle me, one who my gut tells me I can trust. I never thought I would trust again, but with Grant, it’s as easy as breathing. I don’t know how or why, but it just is.
With his hand on the small of my back, Grant leads me into the house. I can hear my sister’s laugh as soon as we open the door. That’s Aspen for you. She’s never met a stranger and can hold a conversation with anyone. I used to be like her. I used to be full of life, but then I met Elijah. At first things were good, but then he changed, and suddenly there wasn’t much to laugh and smile about.
“Hey, you two,” Lena says as we enter the kitchen. “How was your ride?” she asks, her eyes sparkling.
“Good. Thank you,” I say politely.
“I should be thanking you. You kept that one out of my hair. I swear those boys of mine pick at everything I’m cooking. It makes it impossible to get anything done.” She turns to look at Grant, as do I. His hand is still on the small of my back, but in the other, he has a roll that he’s just taken a huge bite of.
“What?” he says with his mouth full.
“See what I mean?” Lena smiles at her son. “Can I get you something to drink?” she asks me.
“No, thank you. We just had hot chocolate. It was delicious.”
“Yo, Ma, where are you?” a male voice calls out.
“In the kitchen!” Lena calls back.
I turn to Grant to ask which brother, but before I can, he appears in the doorway of the kitchen. “Well, what do we have here?” he asks. His smile lights up his face as he darts his eyes from me to Aspen.
“Conrad, this is Aurora, and her sister, Aspen.”
He steps next to me and takes my hand in his, bringing it to his lips. “Hello, beautiful,” he coos.
“Back off, Con,” Grant all but growls. The sound has Conrad’s grin growing wider.
“Is that how it is, big brother?” he asks. There is mischief in his voice, and the smile tells me he likes to rile his brother up.
“That’s how it is,” Grant says, stepping a little closer to me. The warmth of his skin seeps into me, and my shoulders relax. I don’t understand how I can be so comfortable with him in such a short amount of time.
“And this one?” Conrad points to Aspen.
“This one can speak for herself, and I’d back off if I were you, Con,” Aspen says sweetly, repeating Grant’s earlier words.
Conrad throws his head back in laughter. In a couple of long strides, he’s around the huge kitchen island and grabbing my sister's hand, pulling it to his lips just as he did with me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, beautiful,” he says, laying on the Riggins charm.
“Aspen.” My sister corrects him with a laugh. She is not the least bit affected by his antics.
“What’s going on?” another guy says.
“Marshall, this is Aurora, and her sister, Aspen,” Grant introduces us.
“Ladies,” Marshall croons. “Brother, you didn’t tell me you were bringing me new friends,” he says, sliding up next to me.
“Marsh,” Grant warns.
“’Bout fucking time.” A voice comes from behind us.
I turn to look over my shoulder, and a tall guy with a thick beard and blue eyes, so much like Grant’s, is smiling. He has Layla pulled to his side—one arm around her waist and the other resting on her swollen belly.
“What did I miss?” another man, who is clearly a Riggins, asks. He looks down at the woman standing by his side. “Babe, what did I miss this time?” he says to her. The entire room erupts in laughter.
“Are you boys bothering your momma again? I’m starving,” adds an older man, who the five other men in the room closely resemble.
“The old man is my father, Stanley,” Grant starts, pointing out the newcomers. “That one’s Owen, and his fiancée, Layla, and my nephew.” Grant indicates toward Layla’s swollen belly. “This is Royce, and his wife, Sawyer. Everyone, this is Aurora, and her sister, Aspen.” Grant points behind us.
“Told you,” Owen and Royce say after all the introductions, hugs, and handshakes have taken place.
“Yeah,” Grant says, rubbing the back of his neck.
“This is going to be fun.” Royce rubs his hands together.
“What are they talking about?” I whisper to Grant.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head, clearly amused. Everyone begins to filter from the room at Lena’s instructions to make our way to the dining room.
“Grant,” I say, placing my hand on his arm. He immediately stops, and I have his full attention. I swallow back the fear of being ridiculed. “Tell me, please.” My voice is pleading. “I-I don’t want secrets. I can’t do secrets. I don’t know what this is, but I’ve been with a man who kept me in the dark. He kept me at arm’s length, and used me.” I swallow hard, stopping there. I’ve already said more than I ever intended to.
“Hey.” He cradles my face in the palm of his hands. “No secrets. They’ve been razzing me, telling me that when I fall, it’s going to be hard. I gave them both hell when they met my sisters-in-law, and this is payback for that. Nothing more, nothing less.”
I nod. I can’t speak over the emotions clogging my throat. Swallowing hard, I manage to push “Okay,” past my lips.
“You’re the first woman I’ve ever brought to dinner. My brothers and I, we don’t bring just anyone. She has to be special. We have to see more than just a few dates or a roll in the hay with her. They know that.”
“Just me?” I ask him.
“Yeah, baby. Just you.” He pulls me into a hug, holding me close to his chest. “No secrets,” he whispers. “Come on, let’s get in there before the vultures eat it all.” He eases back. “You good?” I nod. He studies me, searching for the truth. He must find what he’s looking for because he returns my nod and leads us into the dining room.