I arch a brow at his grand proposal. “Really? So, if I told you I wanted to tie you to the bed and do wicked things to you all weekend long, you’d be game?”
“I’d love nothing more than to be buried in you all weekend,” he breathes.
I laugh because he can be so sexy. “Good to know. I did have something else in mind though. Something a bit more PG-13.”
He arches his brows in interest.
“My niece is having a birthday party. My sister is pregnant and due any day, so they’re having a family-only get-together at my parents’ house. It sounds small, but there’s eighteen of us, and, well, I was hoping you’d come with me.”
“I’d love to.” He kisses my nose and then grabs his sandwich and takes a bite before looking at his phone that’s going off. As he chews, he sighs, like he’s sad he has to go. He swallows his bite and faces me. “It’s Miles. He told me he’d call if my next appointment didn’t have to cancel. So, I guess I should get going.”
“That’s okay. I have errands, and then I’m off to the bank. Wish me luck.”
He takes the box and throws it in the trash. My latte is still full, so I take it with me and grab my bag.
“Just text me if they don’t issue the check today,” he says as we walk to the door, grabbing it and holding it open for me. “Actually, text me either way.”
“Will do. And have a great appointment tonight.”
We’re standing on the sidewalk as he glances down at me with a glazed-over look in his eyes, and it’s all from staring into mine. “I am the luckiest man alive, you know that?”
I sway my shoulders as I smile, not disagreeing with him.
He leans down and kisses me again. This kiss is full of longing and not wanting to let go. I feel his pout as he pulls away.
“Now, walk away quickly before I forget all my obligations for the day and stand here, kissing you like a fool until the cops come and arrest us for indecency.”
I grin, biting my inner lip.
Sebastian is the quintessential gentleman. I’m a fool for worrying about his impending fatherhood.
Now, I get to worry about him meeting my father … and the whole Morgana clan.
Chapter Seventeen
“This is the town you grew up in?” Sebastian asks as I drive through my hometown. Dogwood trees and wide sidewalks make it a beautiful suburb. Being from out of state, he almost seems impressed that such a lush area exists outside the city. “You must have had a great childhood here. Soccer teams and playing tag in the street?”
“I played basketball in elementary school but wasn’t good enough for the high school team. I was more of a loner. Coming home to bake was the highlight of my day.”
“Obsessed with chocolate even then?”
“Yes. And my parents have a big kitchen, so I could lay out all of my ingredients without getting in anyone’s way.”
He nods as he looks out the window, taking in the Tudor-style houses and large front yards. “This does seem like a great place to raise a family. And it’s not too far a drive from Center City.”
“Traffic can be a bitch though.”
I’m driving Sebastian’s car since he had to be on a conference call for most of the ride here. It’s fascinating to listen to him work, using legal jargon and coming up with case law on the spot. Hell, it’s even sexy.
We hit a touch of traffic on the way here but nothing like it can get during rush hour. He spoke on the phone while I sat in silence. It wasn’t too bad since his car, with its soft leather cushions, is a glorious piece of German machinery that glides like a dream.
As we pull up to my parents’ house, I get a twinge of nervous energy. I hope they won’t say or do anything to embarrass me.
I park Sebastian’s BMW behind my sister’s Volvo and turn off the ignition with a grunt. Before I can exit, he grips my wrist, pulls me toward him, and places a simple kiss on my jaw.
“You shouldn’t worry so much. Parents love me.”
I watch as he keeps his cool demeanor while exiting the car, and follow suit with a shake of my head. I walk up to his outstretched hand and take it as we head to the front door, and I let us in.
The house is a bustle of activity. My three nephews are rushing around, playing laser tag. Only one stops to say hello before crashing against a wall and going into hiding from who I assume is his enemy brother, ready to shoot.
“That’s Aiden, Caleb, and Connor,” I point out to Sebastian as my niece comes strolling by, wearing a feather boa, hot-pink sunglasses, and Little Mermaid high heels while pushing a play baby stroller. “And this fancy little girl is Alice.”
“Don’t you look glamorous today?” Sebastian says to her, kneeling to his knees to get to her level.
Alice lowers her sunglasses to reveal a deep scowl as she places a finger to her lips and briskly says, “Shh. My baby is sleeping.”
Sebastian puts his hands up in retreat and speaks in a whisper, “My apologies.”
She puts her glasses back in place and continues her stroll, little heels wobbling as she walks.
“I like her.” He watches her with wonderment.
“She’s a spitfire all right. My sister says she’s just like me. I don’t see it.”
Sebastian laughs. “I can definitely imagine her picking up a phone in a few years and bitching out a complete stranger over lost rent.”
“Never gonna let that go, are you?”
“Never.” He leans in to kiss my head.
His hand is on the small of my back as we walk to the backyard, where my family is scattered about the back deck. Matthew is cooking at the grill while Henry stands behind him with his arms crossed and foot tapping, looking like he’s dying to take the spatula away from him.
“Those burgers have to be precisely at one hundred and sixty degrees Fahrenheit.” Henry points to the patties as Matthew flips them haphazardly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll poke my finger in yours to make sure it’s just right,” Matthew says.
“It’s called a thermometer.” Henry grimaces and then sees Sebastian and me watching them. “Hey, Amy. Didn’t see you sneak in here.”
I smile. “Sebastian and I just got here.”
My mother, who is over by the table, talking to Fiona and her husband, turns around, and the three of them come over, as does Matthew, who abandons his post at the grill.
Sebastian and I are now swarmed by four members of our family, who are all staring at him with mixed looks of skepticism or intrigue—depending on the family member.
“We’ve heard so much about you!” Mom is the first to greet Sebastian. She leans in for a hug, and he accepts it willingly. “Amy is so smitten. We weren’t sure if you were actually coming.”
I lower my brow. “I told you this morning I was bringing someone.”
“Yeah, but your dates aren’t that reliable,” Fiona chimes in as she gives Sebastian the head to toe. “Or as handsome. You usually like them lanky and a little greasy. This one is super attractive.”
“His name is Sebastian, and it’s weird that you’re talking about him like he can’t hear you.” I turn to Sebastian and excuse my sister. “Fiona is quite vain.”