Errin cleared her throat. “I’m only joking, Cal. My God. But I’ve been canned from my last job, so I’m open for moving to Austin.”
Calum and Kayla shared a look that said “not again” as they both rolled their eyes.
“What? I didn’t know I was supposed to water the plants only once a month instead of once a day. Mrs. Foster was totally looking for an excuse to see me go after she figured her grandson took a liking to me.”
Errin was a dancer and had the oddest part-time jobs to keep her afloat, as dancing didn’t provide enough income. Her last job had been helping Mrs. Foster, an eighty-year-old widow who lived alone and needed help around the house. Errin loved to dive into things wholeheartedly at first sight, but then she couldn’t be bothered the next day.
“I want to meet Duncan while we’re here. I’m so happy for you, Kayla. I really am,” Kate said, squeezing Kayla’s hand for emphasis, “but I don’t know if I can move to Austin. I have my work in New Jersey, the kids in my class....” She shook her head. “But I also want to be close to you and Errin,” Kate said with a sigh. “Perhaps if Errin goes, I will follow too.”
Kayla smiled at her sisters as she sang in a high-pitched voice, “Alvin, Simon, Theodooore.” They all giggled at the memory of naming themselves after Alvin and the Chipmunks when they were kids.
Calum stood up from the couch and said, “Fuck, if that ain’t cute, sissies.”
Running late was somethingDuncanalways hated, especially for something important. Meeting Kayla’s sisters fell into the important category. He was standing in his dark blue jeans, buttoning his black dress shirt, when the doorbell rang. Fuck.
With a couple buttons still undone, he opened the front door and stood face-to-face with three beautiful women. But his heart squeezed tight at the sight of Kayla, standing there with the biggest smile he’d ever seen on his wildflower. She looked so happy, the Kayla she was meant to be.
He sighed. Fuck, if this visit from her sisters made her leave, what would he do then? Would she let him follow her? Could he leave his brothers, his family, and his dojo? He shook his head briefly and said, “Come in, ladies. Welcome.”
Duncan stepped aside as he opened the door even wider for the Walsh sisters. “I’m afraid I’m running a bit late.” He smiled at Kayla’s sisters while they walked by him, and he put his arm around Kayla’s waist and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Hi, beautiful. I’ve missed you.”
She looked up at him and held her hand on his jaw. “I’ve missed you too.” Their lips touched softly as he held on to her.
“Oh my God. Kate, quick, look away. I feel like the biggest Peeping Tom ever.”
Kayla giggled against Duncan’s lips before pulling back from him. “Duncan, meet my youngest sister, Errin.”
Duncan let go of Kayla and took a few steps so he could shake Errin’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Duncan.” Errin smiled.
“Yeah, nice to meet you too.”
“And this is my sister Kate,” Kayla said.