I elbowed him lightly. "And you find this amusing?"
He smiled, touching my lips as if he were enjoying a private joke. "It is funny. I'm glad you came today."
“You sort of tricked me into coming."
He kissed my forehead, putting a hand at the small of my back. "You don't need to be prepared for this. Trust me."
Ha! He brought me to a palace, and I was meeting his parents. He had no clue how much preparation I needed for this.
We went around the house, and I assumed there was another yard in the back. It turned out I was correct. And there were a lot of people in it, including kids.
The pup Dylan took from the shelter came running to us, and we both paused to pat his head.
“Who’s a cutie pie?” I whispered. “You are.”
He seemed more interested in Dylan, though. Clearly he missed him.
Isabelle immediately came to us. "Hey, Dylan, you made it. And you brought Mel too." She kissed my cheeks, glancing down at the pup. “Loki is happy to see you.”
“I love the name,” I exclaimed.
Isabelle looked gorgeous in cutoff jeans and a white tank top. Her red hair reached to her waist. It was the first time I saw her with her hair flowing down her back.
“I think you don't know too many people here, right? Let me introduce you to them.”
“Sure, but I need a favor first. Could I borrow a shirt from you? Mine shrank in the dryer.”
She cocked a brow, and I could practically guess her thoughts: Why would I go out in a shirt that shrank? I blushed.
“Long story,” I said.
She wiggled her eyebrows, looking between Dylan and me.
“Can’t wait to hear it,” she said.
“Isabelle,” Dylan said in a warning tone.
“Ha! Mom is here. I don’t think I’m the one you have to worry about today,” she replied.
“Worry? Why worry?” I asked, already a bit antsy.
“See what you’re doing?” Dylan asked. “She’s already on edge.”
Isabelle laced an arm with mine, patting my hand. “Oops. Not my intention. Come on. Let’s find you a top.”
Chapter Nineteen
Mel
Dylan winked at us before we turned around, going up marble steps into the house. It was hands down the most beautiful home I’d been in; it was decorated in a vintage style with chandeliers and classic furniture.
Isabelle led me to a stunning walk-in closet. It looked like a shop with glass fronts and an island in the middle with accessories.
“Wow. I’ve only seen stuff like this in the movies.”
“I love it. It’s my favorite part of the house. I still can’t get over how big the place is. We wanted something in the village because the band owns a house a few streets away and spends most of their time there. It’s just more convenient to live here.”
“And you’ll commute to your office?” I knew it was in Brooklyn, though I’d never been.
“Yes, but only three times a week. I’ll do the rest of the sessions online. I’ll see if it works out, and I’ll play it by ear. The best part of going with him on some legs of the tour is that I discovered I could move part of my business online. A lot of clients now prefer it.”
“It’s quite a long way to Genesis too,” I said.
“True, but I don’t want to be stuck inside here all the time. Trips to Manhattan are right up my alley.”
She took out five tops, and I tried to imagine which one would fit me best without trying all of them on. Isabelle and I had a similar build, though my shoulders were wider and my arms more muscular. I ended up choosing a strapless one that had an elastic band on top and bottom.
“Do you mind if I change in front of you? I have a bra on.” Since I practically lived in locker rooms, I didn’t have any qualms if others saw me naked, but I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.
“No problem.”
I discarded my useless top, putting on the new one, congratulating myself for wearing a strapless bra. Isabelle’s top was a bit snug over my breasts, but I loved it.
“So... how did you end up in this pinch?” she asked with a sly smile.
I laughed. “Dylan and I went on a boat tour last evening, and we fell into the water. He put the clothes in his dryer on super high, I guess. Anyway, it was too much heat for my top.”
Isabelle looked at me with her mouth slightly open. “My brother took you on a boat.”
“Yes. I have this list of things I want to see around the city, and he said we could check them off together.”
Isabelle was silent for a few seconds before letting out a high-pitched squeal and jumping up and down.
“Oh my God. This is monumental,” she exclaimed. “Holy shit, Mel. You’re such a good influence on him. Thank heavens he ignored my warning and asked you out.”
“Can you explain that? I don’t know what you mean,” I asked, now worried I might be in for something I didn’t expect.
She shook her head. “It only makes sense in my head, to be honest.”
Hmm... is she being vague on purpose? I wanted to know more but had no clue how to go about it. I made a mental note to question her later, preferably after eating a snack. I’d only eaten that one croissant this morning, and I wasn’t creative on an empty stomach.
She laced her arm with mine again, leading me out of the closet and back out to the party. The house was eerily quiet, especially in contrast to the outdoors, which was swarming with laughter and loud voices.
“Have you met Brayden's bandmates?" she asked as we descended the marble steps.
Okay, so full disclosure. I was a massive fan of Green Fire and somehow managed to keep my fangirl in check when I first met Brayden at Genesis because I'd had plenty of preparation before his appointment, but I didn't know I would be meeting Lars, Harvey, and Thomas today. They were at the foot of the steps. Holy shit! My inner fangirl was on fire.
"Oh my God. I'm such a huge fan of you all," I told the three of them when we reached them, then pouted when I realized... “I don't have anything with me for an autograph.”
“I think we can find something in the house," Isabelle said with a grin.
"Okay. Sure thing. Can I take a selfie?" I probably sounded ridiculous, but I couldn't stop myself.
Lars gave me a lazy smile. "Sure." He held out my new phone, and only after he took about a dozen more did I notice Dylan's glare.
Isabelle had noticed it too. And once the guys left, she pointed at her brother. "Oh, do I smell some jealousy here?" She patted his shoulder. "I approve."
Was he jealous? I couldn't believe it. Just because I was fangirling. I mean, okay, sure, the guys were hot, but I didn’t flirt with them or anything.
“Come on. Let’s introduce you to everyone else” was all he said.
Hmm. I’d have to do some digging later.
Over the next few minutes, I tried to memorize everyone’s names. Dylan introduced me to Josie’s husband first, Hunter. His cousins followed next. They were all here with a significant other, and a few of them had kids as well. By the time we approached a couple who looked to be in their sixties standing under a majestic maple tree, my mind was already spinning. My palms were sweaty too. They were his parents, after all!