“Everyone, this is Carter.” I gestured with one hand, still clutching the herbs in the other.
Carter shook hands with everybody, and I could see the wheels spinning in my brothers’ minds. They’d known I was seeing Carter. I told them after he and I talked in my office, but they hadn’t pried. Yet as I took in Will’s and Jace’s expressions, I was sure they were about to do a whole lot of prying. Landon looked calm, as always.
“I’ll take care of the herbs,” Hailey offered, and I gave her a thankful glance as I handed over the thyme and coriander. I didn’t think leaving Carter to fend off Jace and Will when they were in protective mode was the best thing.
Will started the interrogation, of course. He might not wear a badge anymore, but he still put his detective skills to use. I glanced at Paige, his fiancée, who was watching him closely. I knew she’d have my back if Will came on too strong.
The atmosphere was friendly though. I wouldn’t have to throttle either Jace or Will. Progress.
Midway through dinner, I was completely relaxed as we chitchatted about a particularly fun moment at Lori and Graham’s wedding.
Then Milo piped up to tell Carter, “Dad asked for my permission before he married Mom. If you want, you can ask my permission too.”
I felt as if my face was on fire. My nephew meant well and was simply being adorable as usual, but I couldn’t help glancing at Carter out of the corner of my eye. Kids liked to repeat what adults said, and I didn’t want Carter to think I’d told my family I had any expectations. I didn’t want to scare him away.
“I’ll certainly keep that in mind,” Carter answered jovially.
After dinner, we were playing badminton.
“Want to join us?” I asked Carter.
“Sure. The girls are spending the night at their friends’ houses.”
“You had great plans, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
I grinned, unsuccessfully trying to ignore the way my body reacted to his words. This man was a walking danger for me. I’d planned to serve ice cream for dessert, but to my astonishment, I realized I didn’t have enough.
“Change of plans,” I told the room at large. “I’m going to buy a pie real quick.”
There was a bakery nearby, and their pies were to die for. Before I left, I pulled Carter a little further away, whispering, “I’m sorry for the interrogation.”
“It’s all good. Nothing April’s and Peyton’s dates won’t hear from me.” He winked at me.
“Just ignore any sentence including the words serious or future, okay?”
Carter didn’t answer. He simply nodded, but his jaw seemed tight.
***
Carter
Once we headed out to Val’s backyard, I went straight to the case with badminton rackets. When Will joined me, I didn’t think anything of it. When Jace appeared on my other side, I suspected I was about to be cornered.
“Val told us you have two nieces,” Jace said.
“April and Peyton. They’re great girls. Both on their way to becoming troublemakers.”
“Ah, we’ve had a few of those in our family.”
“Hailey, right?”
“No, I was the resident troublemaker,” Jace corrected. “Though Hailey will try to claim that title for herself. Don’t believe her.”
Will cocked a brow. “I busted both of your asses and covered for you in equal measure.”
Jace smirked. “Yeah, but you never knew which one was the bad influence, did you?”