“I’m impressed, player,” she says, wrapping her arms around my waist. “I can’t believe you made some of my favorites. Again.”
“Of course, I did.” Dropping a kiss to her temple, I pull away. “I’m going to take your bag upstairs. Salad’s made up. Go ahead and start. I’ll be right back.” I race up the steps and back down to her. She catches me up on her time with Carrie while we eat our salads.
“Oh, God,” she moans over her first bite of stew. “This is so good.” She takes another bite.
“Right? And I made it. Can you believe that?” I ask, making her smile.
“Your mom and sister are good teachers.”
“They want to meet you,” I tell her.
She nods. “I’d love to meet them.”
“I’ll make it happen. I’ve been selfishly keeping you all to myself, something they made certain to point out to me today.”
“My parents said the same thing. In a way, I’m afraid to add in the outside world. I don’t want anything to interfere with my time with you.”
“I know what you’re saying, and I feel the same, but I think it’s time we involve our families.”
“You do, huh?” she asks.
“It’s only fair that I introduce the woman I love to my family.”
She freezes. Her eyes widen, and she shoves her empty bowl away from her.
I rake my hands over my face. “I had this big elaborate plan. Dinner, and dessert, and cuddling. I was going to tell you when I had you in my arms, but dammit, I couldn’t keep it in any longer. I love you, Samantha.”
Tears fill her eyes. “I love you too.” She pushes her chair back from the table and comes to stand next to me. Pulling her into my lap, I bury my face in her neck. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” I confess.
“Yeah?”
“Life, Samantha. You’re stuck with me for life.”
“That’s not long enough,” she mumbles as our lips collide.
Standing with her in my arms, I carry her upstairs and lower her to my bed. “I love you,” I whisper, and spend the rest of the night, showing her just how much.
Chapter 8
Samantha
Jase and I are going strong. So strong that we’re having dinner with my parents tomorrow night, which leads me to our plans for this evening. Jase thought it was only fair and since he was meeting my family, that I meet his. I’ve met his sister a time or two, just in passing, but tonight, it’s going to be his entire family and extended family. That also means that not only do I meet his parents, but the entire band of Soul Serenade, their wives and kids. Logan, Jase’s sister, is married to Kacen Warren, who is the lead singer of Soul Serenade. Only the best freaking rock band to grace the planet.
I’m nervous.
This is more than just meeting the family. His family is full of freaking rock gods. I’m going to make an ass out of myself and that will be the end of us. I know that I’m being dramatic, but come on, it’s Soul Serenade for goodness’ sake!
“Hey, you ready to head over?” Jase asks.
I’ve been sitting on his couch freaking the hell out while he grabbed a quick shower. “You sure it’s all right if I tag along?” Part of me really wants to go and the nervous part of me thinks I’m better off passing and staying hidden in his house.
“Come here.” He offers me his hand and pulls me from my seat on his couch. “I want you with me. I don’t care where I am, I want you there. My sister invited us. Not just me, baby. Us. She knows how I feel about you, and she wants you to be there. Besides, my mom has threatened me with no more of her chocolate chip cookies if she doesn’t get to meet you soon,” he says, kissing the tip of my nose.
“I’m nervous. What if I do or say something to embarrass you?”
“Not possible. I promise you they’re just a bunch of goofy guys. All four of them. You’ve met my sister, and my mom is an older version of her. My dad is just like me. Everyone is laidback. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Okay.” I nod.
“Good. Grab your coat. We’ll walk since it’s just down the street, unless you’d rather drive since it’s cold out?”
“No, the cold air will do me some good, I think.”
“Good.” This time his lips meet mine, and I feel some of my nerves melt away.
“Yo! Where’s everyone at?” Jase yells as we enter his sister’s house without knocking. With his hand clasped around mine, we step further into the house. He doesn’t get a reply, but he follows the noise and we end up in the doorway of the living room. There are people and kids everywhere.
“You made it!” Logan, Jase’s sister, comes to greet us. “Samantha, it’s good to see you again.” She leans in for a hug.
“Thank you for having me. Your home is beautiful.”
“This is my husband, Kacen.” She introduces the man who has wrapped himself around her from behind.
“N-Nice to meet you.” I offer him my hand and he takes it.
A throat clearing pulls our attention. Jase, Logan, and Kacen all laugh. “Babe,” Jase says. “This is my mom, Beth, and my dad, Jeremy. Mom, Dad, this is my Samantha.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” his mom says, pulling me into a hug.
“You as well,” I say as she releases me.
“Sam.” His dad also pulls me into a hug. “Glad to meet you.”
“Come on.” Logan grabs my hand and pulls me away from her brother. “Come and meet the rest of the gang.” I follow along behind her. “Everyone, this is Jase’s girlfriend, Samantha. Sam, this is everyone. I’m going to go down the line, but don’t worry. We know we’re a lot to take on at first.”
“All right, those are the kiddos. There are a lot of them, so we’ll get to them later.” Logan laughs. “This is Cole, and his wife, Stacy.” She points to a guy with long hair, who I recognize instantly. They both wave, and we’re moving onto the next. “This is Tristan, and his wife, Lauren, and Gavin and his wife, Cassidy.” She points out each member of the band and their wives.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say to them collectively.
“You’ll learn us all,” Cole’s wife tells me with a kind smile.
“Hey.” Jase appears beside me, wrapping me in his arms. “You good?” he whispers just for me.
I turn to look at him and nod, offering him a smile. My nerves are still there, but everyone is so nice and genuine. Not at all what I anticipated meeting guys of their celebrity status.
“Damn.” One of the guys laughs. I don’t know which one. “Our little Jase has finally fallen.” He laughs.
“All it takes is the right woman, brother,” Kacen says from his spot beside Logan. Seems like he’s with her wherever she is. Although, the way she’s snuggled up to his chest, she doesn’t seem to mind.
“Grammy, I’m hungry,” a little boy who looks just like Kacen says, running up to Jase’s mom.
“You heard the boy. Let’s eat,” Kacen says.