"Nonsense. The more the merrier."
Jake came close to me. "Natalie, my offer still stands. I don't intend to stay here long. I'll drive you home and then go to a hotel."
"Are you sure I’m not in anyone's way?"
He didn't get a chance to answer because the doorbell rang.
"That will be them," Jeannie chanted, obviously thrilled to have her whole family together.
Jake frowned. "What did you do, call them as soon as I told you I was coming to Boston?"
"Exactly. I figured you’d be more at ease if you knew all of us were taking care of your grandfather. But if you’re not too busy, we could clink a glass of champagne."
“I am very busy, but I guess we all could use a celebration after this scare. I’ll need to rearrange a lot of things for my temporary move to Boston.”
The doorbell rang, and Jeannie opened the door. Four of the handsomest men I'd seen in my whole life walked in.
What is it with the genes in this family?
I inspected each one of them. They could all easily be models, and the eyes seemed to be a signature of the family. Their hair color varied from shades of dark brown to dark blonde. One of them, who seemed vaguely familiar, had darker hair. In an instant, a flash of recognition passed through my mind. Gabe Whitley. He’d appeared in a commercial promoting his craft distillery. I remembered it distinctly because it was strange for a businessman to appear in his own commercials.
"Overwhelmed already?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, by the absolutely stunningly handsome genes in your family."
I realized I'd said it out loud only when I saw his expression change. I thought he'd tease me about it or just plain laugh at me. Instead, he seemed bothered. Why, because I'd complimented his brothers? This man's mind was a mystery.
"Boys, I've got great news for you,” Jeannie announced. “Jake decided he’ll move to Boston after all."
"Great news, man," one of the guys said.
"Temporarily," Jake clarified.
"Still a win," Jeannie pointed out. “What you’re doing for your grandfather is beyond wonderful, my boy, and I love you for it.”
Gabe Whitley looked at me. "I don't believe we've been introduced before. Brother, you've had a girlfriend all this time and hid her from us? That's unlike you."
My cheeks were on fire.
"I don’t. Natalie is grandmother's party planner," Jake explained.
"Oh, my bad." Gabe winked at me. "I don't know anyone who would put up with my brother anyway. I'm Gabe. A pleasure to meet you."
"I know," I said. "I think I've seen you in a commercial for Whitley Distilleries, right?"
"That's right," Gabe said, clearly pleased I recognized him. I shook hands with him.
The rest of the brothers introduced themselves shortly after that—Colton, Spencer, and Cade.
Cade winked at me. “Natalie, I’m warning you. We can be a bit much to handle.”
“I have a tough skin,” I assured him.
"Okay, then. Celebrations are in order, I assume?" Spencer said. "The prodigal son returns home."
"I'm not returning," Jake said.
"The lost sheep is returning," Spencer added, disregarding Jake’s claim. "Dude, we’re gonna make fun of you with every cheesy expression there is. Give us that. We never thought we'd see you move back to Boston.”