“Okay,” Sadie affirms, then rushes forward, ramming straight into Jovie’s side. “I’m glad you’re here, Jovie.”
“I’m glad I’m here, too.” Jovie cuddles her right back.
Sadie rushes off down the hall as Lou directs us through to the kitchen. I reach out for Jovie’s hand interlacing my fingers with hers. I don’t want her to be nervous, even though I have to admit I am. Bringing a girl home to meet everyone officially is fucking scary, especially with my full-of-himself brother. I honestly never thought I’d be doing this again, but I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather be doing this with than Jovie.
It’s time to do this family thing. I just hope Ethan is on his best-fucking-behavior.
I firmly doubt it, though.
The dining table is set out perfectly, the Mexican theme in full swing as Lou takes us over to our seats.
“This looks amazing, Lou. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten at a dinner party that looks this inviting,” Jovie offers.
“Well, there’s so much food, I’m sure you’re going to be bursting. So once everyone comes back, we can dig in.”
Ethan walks in, busy on his cell as he draws out his chair and sits at the head of the table, ignoring us. I turn to Jovie, brushing it off as she places a napkin on her lap. The kids barrel back in taking up their seats opposite us. Sadie has her Rabbit Lovie comfort toy, Moo, I gave her when she was a baby, cradled in her arms. My chest warms that she still has him after all this time. He’s like her security blanket.
She places the tatty toy on her lap out of sight as she stares at me. “Daddy?”
“Yeah, baby girl?”
“Are you coming for dinner every night now?”
My eyes shift to Lou, and she sighs. “He’ll come as often as he can, Sadie. It’s hard when Uncle Ethan has to work to get everyone’s schedules to line up.”
“You work, too, Auntie Lou, but you’re always home for dinner.”
Lou smiles. “Because I’m able to pick when I work.”
Jovie leans forward, trying to intercept Sadie’s next question. “What do you do, Lou?”
She slides in at the other head of the table with a grin. “I’m Director of the Anesthesiology Department at Houston Methodist. Because I run the department, I’m able to choose my hours. So, I can spend more time with the kids.”
Jovie narrows her eyes, and I know exactly what she’s thinking. I’m curious—is she is going to ask.
“This might not be my place…” yep, here we go, “… but aren’t you a little young to be running a department?”
Lou smiles wide. “I love you. Really. I’m not as young as I look, which is a shock, I know. But, as a doctor, I know all the skin routines and how to keep my body healthy.”
Jovie glances over at Ethan. I can practically hear her brain ticking over from here.
“There’s a fourteen-year age gap,” I murmur, and her eyes widen as Ethan rolls his eyes.
“Go on, make the boy-toy jokes and get them out the way,” Ethan mocks.
“Actually, I was going to say I think you guys make a gorgeous couple, and seriously, age is only a number. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” Jovie chimes
Ethan glances up with a look of appreciation on his face. He slides his cell onto the table, now paying attention. “Okay, well, then, is it time for a Mexican fiesta?”
“Yeah,” the kids cheer in excitement.
He grins at them, his sour mood seeming to be shifting. I dip my head at him, and he hands me the plate of fajitas.
Maybe he’s warming up or just biding his time, finding the right moment to strike.
Sitting in the kitchen, Jovie’s on the living room floor with the kids and Ethan playing with the Legos. They’re building some kind of spaceship as Lou and I sit back at the kitchen table watching them and laughing. Sadie is climbing all over Ethan while Lucas is happily showing every piece he needs to use to Jovie in very intricate detail.
The four of them are having a great time by the looks of it as I sit back drinking my coffee.
“She’s great, Liam. Honestly, I mean it,” Lou gushes.
I fill with pride. “Coming from you, that means a lot. I really want you both to like her. The kids, too.”
Lou’s eyes shift to Sadie and Lucas, who are both crawling all over Jovie now, laughing their heads off. “Don’t worry, they adore her. What’s more important is that you obviously do too, if you’re bringing her here to meet everyone.” I sink back into my chair mulling that over. “Look, since Em died, you’ve been in this limbo state and not putting yourself out there, emotionally, I mean. If you’re ready to do that, Liam, then go for it because Jovie, from what I’ve seen here tonight, is exactly the kind of woman you need for the man you are today.”
Maybe that’s exactly what I needed to hear.
Emma was the woman for Liam, but Jovie is the woman for Kevlar.
That makes so much sense.
I’m so fucking different now than who I was when I met Emma, and honestly, if I met a woman like Emma now, I’m not sure I would take a second look. Not that that means I don’t love Emma for who she was, it just means I’ve grown, and my tastes have changed with that growth.
I turn, looking at Jovie, a bright smile lighting my face. “Yeah, I think Jovie is the right kind of woman for me now, too.” My pulse races as I think about the revelation I’ve just had.
I want Jovie in my life.
I need her in my life.
My kids adore her.
My family approves of her.
There’s only one thing left to do.
“I know that look in a man’s eyes… kids, time for bed. Daddy’s gotta head home,” Lou calls out, standing up. She winks at me as I stand, trying to calm my raging thoughts.
“Awww, can’t Jovie stay for a wittle w… w… wonger?” Lucas coos.
“I think you better go to bed, little big man. But we’re gonna hang out again, real soon,” Jovie says, leaning in and squeezing him tight.
Sadie rushes over, giving me a giant hug, and I lean in pressing my lips to her curly hair. “Love you, baby girl. Be good for Auntie Lou, go straight to sleep.”
“Will you come back soon?”
I look down into her hopeful eyes, “I promise,” then I spin her around facing Lou and tap her butt playfully. “Now bed!”
She giggles racing off with Lou toward the hall. “Thanks for dinner, Lou,” I call out.
“My pleasure. Have a good rest of the night, you two,” she answers back, and I know the meaning behind her words.
“Thanks for having me. I really enjoyed getting to know your family,” Jovie offers Ethan as we stand by his front door.
He exhales. “I apologize for being an asshole… you’re actually a cool chick. I think you’ll be good for this big idiot.”
I smirk, punching his arm as he chuckles. “We’ll talk soon, yeah?”
Ethan nods. “Just wear a damn helmet next time, okay?”
I groan, edging Jovie out the door. “Yes, Officer Rudd.”
Ethan smirks, closing the door behind us as I take Jovie’s hand in mine. “That went better than expected.”