“So we’re meeting Trystan at the airport,” Keira said, from the passenger seat of Noah’s car once they were on the way. “How old is he?”
“Thirty-two. Not that you’d know it. He’s like Peter Pan, refusing to grow up.”
“And Kit will be at the dinner tonight?”
“Yes. Kit’s always good fun.”
“So dinner will be with your mum and brothers?”
“Yes. And Seren.”
She forced a smile. “Your bestie?”
“Yeah. I think you’ll get on well with her. She’s excited to meet you.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting her too.” That wasn’t entirely true; she had a feeling that their mutual affection for Noah wouldn’t give them a reason for instant bonding. Rather the opposite, she suspected. It would be nice to put a face to the name at least.
Feeling restless, she plucked Noah’s passport from the console between them, leafing through to check out his photo. “You actually look good in your passport photo,” she told him. “I think that means it’s not valid.” She scanned his information. “Treneary is a nice surname.” Closing the passport, she put it aside again. “Is it weird that we’re going away together and I only just learned your last name?”
“Maybe a bit.”
She glanced out of the window while drumming her fingers on her knees.
“You’re not nervous, are you?” Noah asked, giving her leg a quick squeeze.
“A little bit,” she admitted.
“You don’t need to be. I really think you’ll have a great time. My family will love you.” He paused to navigate traffic on the roundabout. “To be honest, even if my family couldn’t stand you, they’d still be lovely. They’d never want anyone to feel uncomfortable.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because now when they’re nice to me I’m going to wonder if they really like me or if they’re just nice people.”
“They’ll definitely like you. And it’s good that you’ll get to meet Trystan first, so you’re not bombarded with everyone at once.”
Her nerves increased the closer they got to the airport, and she was almost wishing she hadn’t agreed to it when they walked into the terminal.
“There he is,” Noah said almost immediately. He put his arm up to wave, but no one waved back. The only guy on his own was wearing a crisp white shirt and had earphones in, nodding his head to unheard music with a hint of a smile at his lips. He was taller than Noah, with the same light brown hair, though his looked like it had been recently cut, whereas Noah’s was a little wilder. His build was similar to Noah’s, but he was slightly leaner and there was something about the way he held himself that oozed confidence. A couple of young women whispered to each other as they passed him, and he flashed them a smile that had them both grinning from ear to ear.
Keira couldn’t take her eyes off him. His head continued to bob and his foot tapped steadily. When they got near he spotted Noah and smiled widely. He took out his earphones, then opened his arms to embrace Noah tightly – not the usual manly shoulder bump and back slap, but a full-on hug that neither of them seemed in a hurry to back away from.
“You must be Keira?” he said when they broke apart. His eyes travelled up and down as he gave her a quick once over. “Cute,” he said, then elbowed Noah. “Well done!”
“You’re such an idiot,” Noah said, shaking his head.
Trystan wrapped his arms around her and hugged her warmly. “It’s great to meet you.”
“You too.”
“I can’t believe he convinced you to meet the family. Did he mention we’re all a bit nuts?”
“No, but I assumed so. It seemed unlikely that Noah’s family would be sane.”
His eyes sparkled. “I like you.” Picking up her case, he started towards the security gates. “I see Bristol hasn’t taught my brother any manners. You’re supposed to carry a lady’s bag.” He rolled his eyes at Noah. “It’s a wonder you managed to find yourself a woman at all.”
“How’syourlove life?” Noah asked pointedly.
“Let’s talk about something else,” he said to Keira. “Have you been to the Isles of Scilly before?”
The smile froze on her face and she glanced at Noah before returning her attention to Trystan. “Sorry, what did you say?”