“Maybe we should stay here?” I turn in his arms as my hands rest on his broad shoulders.
“You got to meet my mom. I think it’s only fair I get to meet your dad.” I let out a long sigh. “We don’t have to stay long.”
“Fine. We’ll go.” He gives my ass a squeeze and then a quick kiss. “Can we drop by my place after? I want to grab some more stuff.” I want to be able to go to work from here in the morning and I need my things.
“Should I send a moving truck?” I bite my bottom lip, loving the sound of that, but it’s too soon. Right?
“I’ll need to talk to Blair.”
“Is that the only reason you’re not agreeing?”
“I think we slid right past moving in together when we had all the unprotected sex,” I laugh. For all I know I could be pregnant right now.
“You know I’m all in when it comes to you.”
I love how sure he is about us. There are no games or anything. He saw me and wanted me and it’s something I love about him. That’s a word we haven’t used, even though we are talking babies and moving in.
“I don’t want a moving truck showing up at my apartment without talking to Blair first. She’s been so good to me, and the girls are like family.”
“I get that.” He gives me another kiss before releasing me. “I’ll tell the driver we’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“Sounds good.” I grab my purse and dig out my lip gloss.
I might not want to go, but since I have to I’m going to look my best. Dash doesn't have to try with his slacks and a polo. His hair is a little messy from me running my fingers through it—a habit I’ve picked up whenever we’re close.
I exit Dash’s bedroom and then meet him at the front door. He’s there waiting for me with his hand out to take mine. We make our way downstairs and to the waiting car.
“You know when you move in you can decorate it any way you want.” He opens the car door for me and gives the driver my father's address.
“Dash, you don’t have to try and win me over in this. I want to move in.”
“I just want you to feel at home and that it’s your place too.” Gah. This man is so freaking sweet.
“I think you’ll be keeping me too busy to worry about decorating,” I tease him.
He pulls me in for a long kiss and it has me forgetting for a moment where we’re going. That’s until I start to climb on him and I feel the car stop outside my childhood home.
“You grew up here?”
I nod. It’s a beautiful home, but not my taste. My family isn’t as wealthy as Dash’s, but my dad isn't far behind. “What does your father do?”
“Investment banking. He’s a workaholic.”
I don’t think he saw the way his wife and Charlotte treated me. He was too busy working long hours and his job was always his first love. He did his part by having someone to watch over me. The few times I did tell him about something Charlotte did when I was little, he brushed it off as normal sibling rivalry. After a while I stopped telling him. It hurt when he never noticed or acknowledged it, but it hurt less to say nothing.
Dash exits the car and holds out his hand for me. Cars already line the driveway and I realize it’s going to be a full house.
“In and out, right?” I look up at him and he nods.
“If that is what you want. But it’s going to be fine.”
He leans down and places a kiss on the top of my head and I relax knowing he’s close. We make our way up the long sidewalk and the front door swings open before we reach it. Charlotte stands there looking every bit a Stepford wife. I swear each year she not only looks more like her mother but her hair gets blonder too.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in. I wasn't sure you’d remember where we lived. It’s not like you come and visit your own father.”
Her tone comes off as playful, but I know it's far from that. She opens her arms for a hug and my manners get the best of me. I open an arm and lean into her so it’s only a half hug since Dash won’t let me go.
“I’ve been busy with work.” I try and get my own dig in since she’s never worked a day in her life. Her goal has always been to marry rich, but that hasn't worked out so far. She’s always with someone, but they’ve yet to stay around.
“Oh right, you’re a schoolteacher.” Her brand new nose scrunches for what I’m sure isn’t the first time. “And who is this handsome man?” Her eyes lock on Dash, and I hate it.
He’s not paying her any attention as he looks right over the top of her head and into the house.
“Dash, this is Charlotte.” He finally acknowledges her and his tone is bored.
“Hi.”
I fight not to laugh even though I wish I could be outright rude. It’s just not something I have in me. The only time I’ve ever tried was on our first date and it didn’t work.
Charlotte holds her hand out for him to shake, but he just holds his up and shows her our fingers are entwined. Charlotte laughs as though it’s a joke, but I see the anger in her eyes.
“Is everyone here already?” I ask.
“Yep.” She finally steps back and lets us in. “The men are in Daddy’s office.” She points to the double doors with one open. “Why don’t you go introduce
