“Are you nervous?”
She meets my gaze. “For our families to meet? Nah.” Nova shakes her head. After a few seconds she bites her lip. “Well, maybe. I don’t know why.”
I chuckle and drape my arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be fine.”
It’s July Fourth, and Gia and Greg are flying in and staying with us at our place since we have extra rooms to spare. Tonight, we’re heading to Royce’s house and having a bonfire as well as setting off some fireworks since he lives on lots of land away from neighbors. Merrick’s also in town, so this will be the first time Nova meets him. She won’t admit it, but I’m pretty sure she’s going to be a little starstruck. She’s been listening to his band a lot lately, so she’s definitely a fan.
Nova spots Gia and Greg and rushes off. The two sisters squeal while colliding into each other. Gia shows Nova her hand and they both screech again, gaining attention from passersby. Nova was so happy to hear that Greg proposed to Gia last month.
“Congrats, man,” I say, coming up to greet Greg with a handshake.
He extends his hand to me. “Thanks, man. How are you two?”
“Oh, we’re good. Couldn’t be better,” I say with a smile on my face, watching Nova.
“Good, good. Gia’s been talking about this trip forever. Thanks for letting us stay with you.”
“I don’t think Nova would’ve had it any other way,” I say with a chuckle.
Greg laughs. “You’re probably right.”
The two sisters link arms while Greg and I take hold of the luggage and make our way to the parking lot.
These past two months have been the best of my life. Just as I imagined, Nova moving in with me was a smooth transition. We’re slowly making changes and making the house more our space rather than just mine.
Nova’s improved on her breakfast making skills, but we’re still working on dinner. She’s continuing to introduce me to new things like chips in sandwiches, dipping fries in ice cream, and some other ones I want to block out.
We’ve also been out on dates quite a bit. Dinner and movie dates, as well as group dates with my brothers and their girlfriends.
I look forward to every day because I never know what it’s going to hold, but I know it’ll be with her, and that’s all I need.
Barbara saw us out one day and made sure to stop and introduce herself. When she hugged me, she had tears in her eyes, and to be honest, I felt a little choked up myself. Barbara has always wanted the best for me and my brothers, and I’m grateful for our talks. She’s helped me more than she’ll ever know, and I’ll never be able to repay her.
Nova got along instantly with Midge and London, and I was so happy to see those two embrace her so quickly. Apparently, they both knew about what was going on with me and Nova, because Royce and Cill couldn’t keep it to themselves. So they were excited to finally meet the woman that got me to want to settle down.
After we drive back to our place and give Gia and Greg a tour of the house, we let them freshen up and change, and then we’re on the road to Royce’s.
“Do you guys do this every year?” Gia asks me.
“No. It actually started last year. I mean, we’d barbeque sometimes, but never this whole bonfire, firework stuff. My brothers have girlfriends, who are best friends, and they plan a party for just about every holiday.”
Gia laughs. “Sounds like my kinda girls.”
“You’ll love them,” Nova says. “They’re great.”
“I hear we’re going to have a celebrity amongst us.”
I laugh. “Yeah. Don’t treat him like one, though. Pretend you don’t even know who he is. He’s gonna get a big ego.”
Nova shakes her head. “I’m kind of nervous to meet him.”
I look over at her and grin. “Are you a fangirl for my brother?”
“Oh, stop!” she says, smacking my arm.
Nova’s phone rings. “It’s Ayanna,” she says before answering it.
“Hey. Not much, heading out to Elijah’s brother’s house.” She laughs. “Yeah. What are you guys doing? Okay, well, we’ll get together soon. Miss you, too. Bye.”
“She still can’t believe we’re together,” she says with a laugh.
“What did she say when you told her?” Gia asks.
“She thought I was lying. I had already told her I was crushing on him.” I look over and give her a wink. “And she kept telling me it wouldn’t happen because Elijah was such a straight arrow.”
I furrow my brow and Nova laughs. “I’m not that bad.”
“Not since you met me.” She giggles. “Anyway, she was mad that I kept it a secret from her, but understood why. I figured my friend Lorenzo would be weirded out by it, but turns out, while I was in Florida, he got a new professor after Christmas break, and he’s crushing on her. So he gets it.”
We laugh, driving up to Royce’s newly installed gate. I get out to push it open so we can drive through, then get out and close it again.
There’s a few paparazzi waiting to get a shot of Merrick. This fame thing is out of control.
Once we’re parked in the driveway, we get out and head toward the back where all the noise is coming from.
Royce has chairs placed around the bonfire as well as a folding table stretched across his patio with a variety of food across it. Two extra-large coolers sit out, holding a mix of beer, bottled water, and soda.
“Hey!” Royce greets as he walks out his back door.
“Hey. This is Gia and Greg. Nova’s sister and future brother-in-law.”
“Hey, guys. Welcome,” Royce says, shaking their hands. “Hey, Sunshine,” he calls out. London spins around. “This is Nova’s family.”
London and Midge come over
