by Layla Hagen
"Then we're good to go," he said, and the car lurched forward.
Glancing between the seats, I noticed a box. It seemed to be a brand-new phone.
“Hey, someone was productive. You’ve already bought yourself a replacement.”
“Mine’s in my pocket. That one’s yours.”
"Oh, thanks. Just message me your PayPal account when you have a chance. And the amount I owe you.”
“No. It’s a gift.”
I stopped in the act of opening the box, turning to look at him as the car lurched forward. “Um... thanks, but it’s not necessary. I was going to buy one for myself. You don't need to give me gifts."
"Gifts are never necessary, " he said with a smile.
"Dylan, I mean it. I don't want you to give me a phone."
"Why not?"
Because it was a brand-new smartphone and it cost about $1,000. I didn't want to sound ungrateful, but this didn’t seem right.
"Look, this is very kind of you, but it would make me feel better if I could pay you.”
He stared at the road, shaking his head. "I'm trying to do something nice for you, Mel. Don't read too much into it.”
I looked down at the phone, trying to find the right words. “I’ve never liked taking gifts, and after how things went with Elliot, I’m even more gun-shy.”
“That guy is a moron. A gift is a gift, Mel. Most people don’t ask for them back, and don’t worry, I would never do that.”
“No, I know. Believe me, I realize you’re nothing like that ass.” I needed to explain more so I didn’t seem like a total weirdo. “He kept giving me these gifts in the beginning, you know? I think he wanted to convince me he had money or something. I’m not sure. It’s not like I ever cared. But he always liked to brag when we went out with his friends about how much he made and so on.”
“Wait a second. I thought his business was in trouble.”
“It was. It turned out he was maxing out credit cards. When I found out, I didn’t think much of it. A lot of people have issues managing their finances and credit cards. But when I didn’t want to give him that second loan, he said he’d wasted all this money on me, and I wasn’t worth it. It made me feel so small.”
“Fucking moron.” His voice was stern, and so were his eyes, though they softened when our gazes crossed. “Look, if it makes you feel better, you can transfer me the money for the phone. But I’d prefer if you accepted it for what it is, a gift.”
I bit my lip. “Can I think about it?”
“Sure.”
I did open it, though, installing all my personal information and shooting Dad a message to let him know I had a new phone but the same number. He texted back with a picture of his computer screen. He was playing one of his mystery games. That would keep him occupied all weekend.
Glancing out the window, I realized we were leaving the city. “Where are we going?”
"Tarrytown. The house is outside the city on the Hudson River."
"Wow, that's cool. So wait, this is their housewarming party?" My voice sounded more like a squeal.
“Exactly."
"Dylan, why didn't you say so?"
“I’d assumed it was obvious when I said we were gathering at the new house.”
“I didn’t put two and two together until now. I was still half asleep. I should have bought them a gift.” I had a panicky feeling inside me as I squirmed in my seat.
“No. They specifically asked everyone not to bring presents. And that if we insist on doing something for them, they gave us a list of charities we can donate to."
"Really? That's so thoughtful of them." I’d always liked Isabelle and Brayden, but now my respect for them skyrocketed. “Okay. I'll think about the charities I want to donate to. How many people will be there?"
"Not sure, honestly. My parents flew in for the occasion. They arrived last night," he said casually as if this wasn't a huge deal.
I gasped. I was meeting his parents. Why hadn't he said that before? When he said he was hanging out with his siblings, it sounded like a casual brunch or something. I'd assumed it was going to be like an extension of our meetings at the gym.
"And the Winchester clan will be here too. The cousins of Josie's husband."
"I know Tess. And I've heard about the rest," I said. My voice wasn’t just squeaky now but downright strangled.
He glanced at me. "Are you okay?"
"Why didn't you tell me your parents were coming? You make it sound like this is no big deal."
He grinned. "It is no big deal."
“Um, you just told me your parents are going to be there. And I'm still wearing yesterday's clothes, which, despite washing and tumble drying, still smell a bit like a swamp, and my shirt is way too short."
"We can make a detour and go by your apartment first if you want to change," he said.
I considered this and shook my head. "No, that will take us about an hour. I’ll ask Isabelle to lend me a T-shirt or something." We could have stopped at a mall to buy something, but that would take time.
I lowered myself in my seat, wondering how today would go. I was startled when Dylan took my hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it. I realized he always did this when I was on edge, and it calmed me instantly.
"You don't smell like a swamp, Mel. Everything is going to be fine. I didn't tell you it was a big deal because I don't think it is. My family gets together all the time. Granted, my parents don't come as often, but it's still not going to be a big deal."
“I think you and I have different opinions on what’s a big deal, mister.” I pointed at the box with the phone, wiggling my eyebrows.
He laughed. “If I want to pamper you, I damn well will.”
Okay, that got me big-time. I racked my mind, but I honestly didn’t think anyone had wanted to pamper me before, except my dad. I smiled, glancing out the window.
“I haven’t introduced my parents to anyone since breaking up with Lina, so they’re going to be excited.”
“Want to tell me any more about you and Lina?” I asked.
His jaw tightened. “Not much to say.”
“What was she like?”
“Nothing like you, Mel.”
“Do you miss her?”
“Not one fucking bit.”
“Are you still in contact with her?”
“No. I’m done with her. I have no interest in her whatsoever. Honestly, that door is closed and locked. I always think a clean break is best. Never understood people who want to stay friends after a breakup.”
Oh no. I sighed, twiddling my thumbs in my lap.
“And after Ian told me she was cheating on me, I was pissed.”
“Understandably. So ever since, you’ve avoided relationships?”
“I even avoided dating. You?” He looked at me intently.
“Oh, I didn’t avoid dating at all. They all sucked. Which brought me to you.”
He burst out laughing, making me laugh too. “I’m feeling very special right now.”
I nudged his elbow. “Eyes on the road. We want to get to Isabelle’s in one piece.”
I wanted us to be friends after this thing between us ended. I wondered what I could do to change his mind on that.
When we entered the village, I looked around curiously. I'd never been here before, even though it was about forty minutes outside of New York. It was gorgeous, with a distinctively old-world, small-town feeling. There were quite a few shops along the main road, with gray stone or redbrick facades, colorful shutters, or striped sunshades. There were a few grand mansions off the main road, and Dylan drove until we reached a fence of evergreen plants and the gate. There was no house in sight, but Dylan looked at the camera mounted right on top of the gate, which opened the next second.
My jaw dropped.
This was a vast property, with an alleyway snaking between rose beds, leading up to a huge house. It had the same old-world architecture as the mansions we’d passed. It seemed entirely made of red bricks
. There were already a few cars parked in front of it.
"Isabelle and Brayden live here?" I asked after we got out of the car. He took my hand, leading me up to the house. "Just the two of them?"
Dylan chuckled. "Yes."
"It's huge."
“I know, right? But they did say they want a big family, and they like the neighborhood."
"It's beautiful. Now I feel even more uncomfortable in my possibly swamp-smelling clothes.”
"Fuck, you're cute," he said, brushing my cheek.
"What? Why?"
"I don't know, because you're all nervous that you're about to meet my parents."
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!
“These are my parents, Jim and Dora,” Dylan said.
His mom looked a lot
like a mix between Dylan and Isabelle. I imagined Dylan would look just like his dad in a few decades. He was as tall as Dylan, with the same dark blond hair.
They both regarded me with surprise. I felt my face heat up. This was as big a deal to them as it was to me.
"Mom, Dad, this is Mel, my trainer, and the girl I told you about."
His mom smiled widely. “You were the one who convinced Dylan to adopt a puppy.”
"Temporarily," Dylan clarified.
I laughed. To my surprise, his dad gave me a half hug and a kiss on the cheek, and his mom did the same, catching me completely off guard. I didn't remember how a mother’s touch felt. My mom had left when I was so young that I had no memory of her at all.
I blinked rapidly, clearing my vision before pulling back. Dylan was looking at me intently.
"I'm glad to meet you," I said. "I’m a bit overwhelmed, to be honest."
“I don’t blame you. Call me Dora,” his mom said. “This is such a lovely surprise. We didn’t know you were coming.”
“It was spontaneous,” I replied.
Isabelle called Dylan’s name just then, and we all looked in her direction.
“I’m going to see what Isabelle needs. You okay?” he asked, putting a hand at the small of my back.
I nodded because my nerves had indeed subsided a bit. Once Dylan was out of earshot, I focused on his parents.
“How was your flight?” I asked.
“Oh, lovely,” Dora said. “I slept the whole way. Jim watched movies.”
Dylan’s dad nodded, looking around. “I can’t believe this place is so big.”
I grinned. “I’m thinking the same. It’s so beautiful. You’re staying here?”
“No, we’re staying with Josie and Hunter,” Dora replied. “I don’t want to miss any time with Sophie. Especially since Josie is with clients all the time.”
“All your children are very successful and hardworking,” I said.
“Yes they are, and we’re very proud of them,” Jim replied. His eyes sparkled. “Though I think Ian and Dylan are stretching themselves a bit thin,” he continued.
“Because of project Z?” I asked.
Dora looked at me in surprise. “Yes. It’s a big undertaking.”
